This article is from page 63 of the 2011-04-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 63 JPG
Rock Rovers 2 – Avenue United 3 at Lees Road
AVENUE United’s pursuit of league leaders Newmarket Celtic gathered further pace last Thursday night as they edged past Rock Rovers in a highly entertaining encounter.
Despite taking a 2-0 lead Avenue looked to have blown their chance to chalk up another vital victory when Rovers stormed back to draw level in a pulsating second half.
Yet no sooner had Rock clawed their way back into contention Avenue summoned the all important match winner.
David Smyth’s deep corner located an unmarked Con Collins who headed home from close range.
Despite laying siege to the Avenue goal in the ever gathering gloom of Lees Road, Rock could not equalise for a third time.
Avenue were undoubtedly faster out of blocks on Thursday night, catching out their opponents with a succession of quickly taken free kicks.
Avenue, with Pa Wilson pulling the strings from deep, also retained possession better than Rock. Left back Dylan Casey showed the quality that propelled him to captain an Ireland under 15 selection last year with a stream of quality deliveries into the Rock area.
Avenue always looked more likely to take the lead and did so at the midpoint of the first half through David McCarthy’s brilliantly taken free kick.
Rock improved as the half wore on and were unlucky not to equlaise shortly before half time. Stephen Hickey turned Avenue’s defence inside out before dragging a left foot shot wide.
Hickey had another chance at the start of the second half, heading wide from Dean Gardiner’s accurate cross. Rock had just managed to gain the upper hand when Avenue struck for the second goal. Mikey Mahony’s run and shot unhinged Rock’s defence and McCarthy was on hand to slot home his second of the game. Rock were back in contention when Daryl Eade converted from the penalty sport after Hickey was tripped in the area. The influential Eoin Glynn then combined with Hickey to release substitute Niall McNevin who produced a calm finish to tie the game at 2-2. There was one more twist to come courtesy of Collins’ header. If Rock are in the mood for revenge they don’t have to wait long for an opportunity. The sides meet again tomorrow night in Lees Road, kick-off 6.30pm.
Rock Rovers
Stephen Loftus, Michael Dinan, JasonWhite, Shane Daniels, Ronan Judge, Dean Gardiner,Ashley Glynn, David Ryan, Daryl Eade, Eoin Glynn, Stephen Hickey
Subs
Francis Daniels for A Glynn, Niall McNevin for Ryan, Marty McLoughlin for Eade
Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy, Mattie Nugent, David Russell, Dylan Casey, David Smyth, David McCarthy, Pa Wilson, Con Collins, David Herlihy, Mikey Mahony
Subs
Barry Nugent for Wilson, Colin Smyth for Casey
Referee
John Murray