Division 1:

Goodwick United 2-3 Hakin United

A 94th minute winner from Hakin’s Adam Davies put The Vikings in control of the title race after another dramatic affair between them and Goodwick United at Phoenix Park tonight (Thursday).

The teams were locked at 1-1 at the break after Hakin striker Nicky Woodrow cancelled out Steffan Williams’ opener, but The Phoenix Boys then seemingly grabbed the points nine minutes from time when Rhys Dalling struck.

But in a frantic finish, Goodwick midfielder Chris O’Sullivan was sent off by referee Dai Badger, and after Woodrow again levelled matters – Davies, playing in central midfield, controlled Steve Mathias’ miscued shot and placed his 12-yard effort past home keeper James Gwilt and into the bottom corner.

The goal sparked huge celebrations amongst Hakin players and supporters, and leaves Gary Dawes’ side just two points off leaders Goodwick but with two games in hand.

The game started at a frantic pace and Woodrow made no mistake from close range after being teed up by Ashley Bevan – but his effort was rightfully ruled out for offside.

But then it was the home side who scored five minutes in with their first real attack, as Dalling broke down the right wing and fired in a low cross that Williams turned home from eight yards out.

However, the lead lasted barely two minutes as Woodrow found space in the Goodwick area and struck a low drive that beat Gwilt and cannoned in off the post.

Both sides continued to look dangerous but it was The Vikings who created the clearer chances, and Bevan’s acrobatic effort fell into the path of Mark Jones, who volleyed wastefully over.

Davies then fired a shot straight at Gwilt, before James Stanmore’s angled shot beat the keeper but was blocked by the covering Wayne O’Sullivan.

At the other end, Adam Raymond flashed a left foot shot wide as the teams went in level at the break.

Woodrow threatened again at the start of the second half but was denied by a superb last ditch tackle by Scott Delaney, before Dalling blazed over for Goodwick after good work by Williams.

The latter then went clean through on goal but Hakin keeper Steve Hartley, replacing the injured James Manson, did well to race off his line and smother the chance.

But just when it appeared the game may peter out for a draw, a frenetic final 10 minutes ensued as Bevan beat Gwilt to a bouncing ball, but was unable to get a clean strike with the goal gaping.

And then it appeared The Phoenix Boys had won it when substitute Jordan Grffiths cut inside a struggling Ewan Findlay, who had picked up an injury earlier in the half, and squared to Dalling who made no mistake.

However, in the celebrations that followed Chris O’Sullivan, who had been booked for dissent in the first half, got involved in a verbal altercation with Hakin supporters and was shown a second yellow by Badger.

It proved pivotal as on 86 minutes, Gwilt let Nathan Banner’s through ball slip past him, and Woodrow reacted quickest to tap home with his left foot.

The drama didn’t end there as in the fourth minute of injury time, Hakin substitute Mathias miscued a volley, but it fell into the path of the unmarked Davies, who showed great composure to trap the ball and then fire a shot across Gwilt into the corner.

It was Goodwick’s first league defeat of the season, and it’s now advantage Hakin as Dawes, who has confirmed he will step down as manager at the end of the campaign, looks to finish his reign with another league title win with The Vikings.

Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Stefan Hayes, Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney, Anthony Couzens, Johnny Horgan (Kieran O’Brien 44), Chris O’Sullivan, Adam Raymond, Rob Morgans (Jordan Griffiths 77), Steffan Williams, Rhys Dalling.

Sub not used: Steve Dockerty.

Hakin United: Steve Hartley, Ewan Findlay (Ricky Diamond 86), Jonathan Bennett, Daniel Armstrong (Steve Mathias 58), Nathan Banner, Mark Jones, Adam Davies, James Stanmore, Ben Steele, Nicky Woodrow, Ashley Bevan.

Sub not used: Andrew Robertson.

Referee: Dai Badger.