Kilkenny Soccer: Thomastown and Callan Utd serve up classic and could 'Fort shock Evergreen?

There was just two games played in the St Canice's Credit Union Premier Division on Sunday morning as a number of Kilkenny teams took a break week to attend Electric Picnic.

Four teams did wipe down the boots and take to the pitch for 11am kick-offs though, as Callan Utd played their first match of the season against a winless Thomastown Utd, while Fort Rangers and Evergreen both put their unbeaten records on the line.

Thomastown Utd 5-4 Callan Utd - Thomastown Utd recorded their first win of the season on their third attempt, beating visitors Callan Utd in a nine goal thriller.

The home side's determination was perfectly illustrated in the dying minutes as they turned around a 3-4 deficit to snatch the three points with goals from Charlie Murray and Adam Power in the 87th and 94th minutes respectively.

One point of concern will certainly be the Grennan outfit's vulnerable defence, who have now conceded 16 goals in the Premier Division so far this season.

Thomastown Utd took the lead on the 15th minute courtesy of Christopher Browne, an advantage held for little more than 60 seconds as Jack Canavan levelled for Callan Utd almost immediately.

Scott Lawlor restored the Thomastown lead on the 38th minute but a second goal from Canavan drew the teams level again with two minutes of the opening half to play.

But, as the song goes "Anything you can do, I can do better," was very much the order of proceedings and Charlie Murray responded in kind deep into first half stoppage time to give the hosts a reason to smile at half-time (3-2).

Fans were being treated to a thriller with the game seesawing one way, then another. Callan Utd were level once again on the 55th minute as Stephen Bergin set up Stewie O'Donovan for the game's sixth goal.

Just over 10 minutes later Bergin found the target himself leaving Thomastown Utd with a one goal deficit to try and attempt to pull back (3-4). A challenge they accepted and pulled off in a remarkable fashion.

Two late goals from Charlie Murray and Adam Power plus a straight red card in the dying minutes for Callan's Joshua Doheny meant the rescue mission had been achieved and the boys in blue had their first three points of the season.

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Fort Rangers 1-2 Evergreen - In Cuffesgrange, fans were served up the tight contest many had expected as Evergreen earned a hard fought win against Fort Rangers.

The Premier Division new boys netted an impressive eight goals in their first two matches, recording victories over Evergreen B and Thomastown Utd respectively.

Meanwhile, Gary Maher's side had started the defence of their Premier Division title with two wins that required varying performances. After putting seven past Thomastown Utd in their opening match, the eight-in a row champions had a far stiffer test away to Newpark FC last weekend, edging their hosts 0-1 through Mikey Drennan.

On Sunday morning, the deadlock was broken after just eight minutes as Sam Hickey was provider for Mikey Clifford to open the scoring for Evergreen. 

The champions held that lead until two minutes into the new half when the two Nugents combined for the equaliser. Emmet to Eddie and you know what happened next... (1-1).

However, much to the hosts' frustration, Fort Rangers were trailing again by the 55th minute as a fantastic through ball from David Grincell found James Kearney who came off the bench to score the game's decisive winner.

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