Cosmos blow a two-goal lead

Navan Cosmos have certainly taken the difficult route towards the Meath & District League Div 1 title that they could now win next Sunday when they tackle local rivals OMP Utd in the final game of the season. Last Sunday Cosmos required three points to secure the league title and one point to secure promotion. While they secured promotion, they really blew their chances of taking the title with some degree of comfort when they surrendered a two-goal lead in the last five minutes and also had a first-half Laurence Ivers penalty saved by Kentstown netminder Keith Shields. Cosmos started brightly and forced Shields into early saves from Ivers and Ivan Reilly while the home side's biggest threat in the opening half was from the many needlessly conceded frees that the visitors gave away. Cosmos took the lead in the 39th minute when Ivan Reilly caught the home side napping and his cross was met superbly on the volley by Conor Walsh. Soon after Cosmos were awarded a penalty, but Ivers saw his effort saved. There were goal-scoring chances at both ends early in the second-half with the best falling to Walsh and Ivers, but outstanding goalkeeper Shields again was equal to them on both occasions. However, Cosmos extended their lead in the 65th minute when Walsh's well-struck shot found the net. Kentstown, who can still gain promotion, were handed a lifeline with six minutes remaining when Lee Duffy's volley reduced the deficit. Two minutes later they were level following a neat cross from Colin Lynch that Darren Lynch rose highest to score. Cosmos pressed hard to restore their advantage with Shields forced into action again, but the final piece of action belonged to Kentstown when they almost got a winner in injury-time when David Bowens was narrowly wide. Kentstown Rovers - K Shields; R McDonnell, C Lynch, S Doyle, K Casey, D Rathcliff, A Lynch, D Doyle, Derek Bowens, David Bowens, G Toal. Sub - K Dempsey for S Doyle. Navan Cosmos - S Gilsenan; I Reilly, S Moran, J McDonagh, W Murtagh, M Nicholls, C Gilsenan, S Conaty, L Ivers, C Walsh, S Reilly. Subs - S Keating for S Reilly, S Ivers for McDonagh, P Bartley for Walsh. Referee - Conor Byrne, assistants - Martin Dowdall, Rueben McManus.