Ward stuns Orchard with late winner

A LATE winner from club stalwart Sean Ward secured a 3-2 victory for Templeogue over Cherry Orchard on Sunday in Leinster Senior League 1a.

Templeogue started the game excellently and went in 1-0 up at the break thanks to a goal from striker Conor McCrea.

The start of the second half saw the windy conditions begin to influence proceedings as the match became quite scrappy. Cherry Orchard used this to their advantage in their search for an equaliser and they found parity through a brilliant 20-yard strike from their number 11 Dunne, who was pivotal for Orchard on the day.

The goal acted as a wake up call to Templeogue who began to apply pressure themselves on their opponents goal.

And with 10 minutes to go, the game sparked into life. Keith Corrigan put Templeogue back in front from the penalty spot, but their lead was short lived as Cherry Orchard equalised from a corner after an unfortunate own goal.

In search of the winner, Templeogue put four players up front and that gamble paid off as Mark Fabian delivered a brilliant corner to the back post and it was met by the head of club legend Sean Ward who nodded past the Cherry Orchard keeper to win the game for his side in the 94th minute.

The result sees Templeogue pick up their second win of the season, having suffered a draw and a loss in the other two games. They host high flying Hartstown Huntstown FC next.