Thursday, February 28, 2008

Monkstown 2 Fingal 1

Monkstown moved back into the top four, following the disappointment of losing that spot to tonight's opponents, Fingal, last Saturday. Unlike last the match against YM, the 'Town made the most of their early pressure, with Alec Barrett scoring in the fourth minute, beating four would-be tacklers in a breath-taking run; deserving the bit of luck he got, to scramble home.

Fingal, indeed, had little of the play in the first half with Filip Jaros controlling the game from just in front of the back four - the visitors limited to one corner. Gareth Watkins doubled the lead early in the second half from a short corner and could have made the game safe when Brian Groves found him all alone in the circle with a 70 metre pass.

His lob, though, could only find the top of Nigel Grothier's net.

But, after being in almost total control, Monsktown invited Fingal back into the game in the final quarter. Aidan Sweeney pulled a goal back with 15 minutes left, tapping in after Eamonn Bane's initial shot was saved at point-blank range by David Fitzgerald.

Monkstown's attacking instincts were not to be held in check. Rather than hold on for a 2-1 win, they played high up the pitch leaving themselves open to the counter-attacks. And Fingal carved out a number of clear-cut chances to equalise, especially after Simon Groves was sin-binned.

Glen Shekleton and Sweeney both fresh-aired to an inviting Paddy Gahan cross and in the final minute, Shekleton was inches wide. Monkstown scraped through, thanks mainly to Ian Horsfield who pulled off a number of huge tackles and interceptions. They will hope to move on from here with Kilkenny on Saturday and a game in hand against UCD.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Shame all the posts have stopped. Finally Monkstown got the win against Fingal. Come on third spot!!! Need the glens to slip up now!

PG said...

Banished a few demons there Alan have we? I wouldn't underestimate KK though either. They got a draw at Fingal earlier in the season when they should have gotten more.

Glens game on Sunday has huge implications for the league alright. Should be a cracker, if maybe not a classic, match.

Fair play to Joe Brennan by the way for helping out with Conor Harte when he broke his collar-bone the other week.

P

Anonymous said...

Dont think glenanne will slip up but i reckon pembroke will win on sunday. Glens will put up a good fight but pembroke wont let their unbeaten run go till possibly the isc or club championships.

YM to get some more points at the weekend!