This article is from page 108 of the 2009-10-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 108 JPG
AVENUE United have been scoring goals for fun in the Premier Division, which in turn has propelled them to the top of the table, taking 18 points from their opening six fixtures. So it was highly anticipated that they would put the visitors to the sword on a wet and miserable day at Lees Road.
From the outset Avenue had all the possession and went in search of an early goal to try and kill off the fix- ture. Avenue were trying to play a one-touch passing game but the pitch and weather conditions were always working against them.
Sean O’Meara had the first gilt edged opportunity when he was put through on goal but Tommy Quinn saved expertly to divert the goal bound shot around the post.
Avenue were applying a lot of pres- sure from set pieces but the Newcas- tlewest defence stood tall and were first to every ball. After the first 15 minutes had passed it was evident that Newcastlewest’s game plan was to stifle the free flowing football of Avenue United.
Although Avenue had the ball at their disposal for most of the match, there was always a concern that New- castlewest could strike a blow on the counter attack.
When Newcastlewest broke, the ball was constantly spread to the left flank where a waiting Tomas Quilli- gan would dart past the back line and try weave his way in on goal.
The ferocious tenacity of Gary Flynn in the middle of the park en- sured that these chances were few and far between. Another low cross from Sean O’Meara was met by Adrian
McDonagh, but once again Quinn thwarted the Avenue attack with a fantastic reflex save, when a goal looked almost certain. David Smyth wrangled his way past every obstacle when the ball was displayed in front of him, and Newcastlewest couldn’t cope with his lightning pace.
At the closing stages of the first- half Smyth dashed down the left hand side and delivered a spectacu- lar cross that really should have been converted by David Herlihy.
The second-half started in the Same fashion as the first, with Av-
enue looking to pounce from the emphatic Smyth, who had a real foothold on the game. Full back Shay Lyons couldn’t contain Smyth and he received a booking for his troubles early into the second half. Earlier fears proved right when Avenue lost the ball in the middle of the pitch, Newcastlewest on the counter attack found Tony Quaid with a long ball, who in turn pulled it back for Quil- ligan to score an absolute peach of a goal. Quilligan had floated in from the left side of the pitch, had spot- ted Barry O’Donnell of his line and
lobbed him from 30 yards out.
A goal worthy of deciding any game, Newcastlewest achieved what they had set out to do and put men behind the ball to ensure Avenue didn’t find an equaliser. Avenue were desperate for a goal and even the in- dustrial movement of Smyth couldn’t breach Tommy Quinn’s goal. Having to resort to long-range efforts it nev- er looked as Avenue would find the equaliser. As the contest came to a close Newcastlewest almost doubled their advantage when Jason Cum- mins got put through one on one with O’Donnell but Cummins struck the foot of the post.
As the final whistle was blown a look of despair was engraved on the Avenue teams faces. Avenue were able to score eight goals last week, but fired blanks today. The team thats steam rolling over its competi- tors in the Premier Division finds themselves out of the FAI Junior Cup already. Have no doubts though, an Avenue team of this class will bounce back.