EYRE TO THE THRONE
Roundwood’s Robbie is star man again
ROUNDWOOD’S perennial star man Robbie Eyre came to the fore again as he fired his side out of the bottom two in the Pat O’Toole Division 2 table.
Eyre found the net after 12 minutes with a rocket from distance and Roundwood managed to stutter their way to all three points, which now lifts them out of eighth spot and up to sixth place.
The hosts, who hadn’t played in over two months, only had 12 men to choose from, while Saints travelled from Gorey with 14.
Both clubs knew what was at stake at a miserable Vartry Grounds and the visitors showed the first signs of life when Thomas O’Reilly and Ciaran Tighe both had efforts blocked by the Roundwood defence from a third minute corner kick.
Eyre had a chance to show off his goalscoring abilities moments later as Adam Moorehouse slipped a perfect cross in from the left wing but the gangly midfielder completely missed the ball as he looked to sweep it home.
Roundwood’s Paddy Lee tried his luck from 25 yards as the frantic opening to this match continued but Colin Gregan showed safe hands as he caught it.
A minute later, there was no saving Eyre’s thunderbolt. Eyre brushed a team-mate aside as he spun to face the Saints goal and in the blink of an eye; he had lashed an unstoppable drive into Colin Gregan’s bottom corner.
He came close to grabbing a second a minute later as he got his head to Moorehouse’s cross but his header just evaded the far post.
Saints almost stole an equaliser when Neil Gregan pickpocketed a Roundwood defender and bore a down on goal but he sliced his shot horribly wide.
A free kick from the right for the away side was propelled by the wind and it struck Dylan Gregan and looped menacingly towards goal; missing the target by only a matter of inches. It would have been quite a goal, especially considering he knew nothing about it.
Saints tried again on 26 minutes. Goalkeeper Gregan’s lump upfield sailed over the Roundwood defence and sent two Saints attackers after it in hot pursuit. Roundwood netminder PJ Turner came out but was unconvincing, as his punch flew high into the air before curling back towards his own goal and going out for a corner.
Daniel Noctor then released Neil Gregan with ease, he squared for Jason Vanderjeidin but the frontman was denied a goal by Turner who stuck out a boot to knock it away.
Saints continued their search when Vanderheijden overhit a pass through to Neil Gregan. He didn’t give up though and was very nearly rewarded when Turner spilled the ball between his legs but the ‘keeper recovered before Gregan could pounce.
Roundwood made their solitary change at the break, while Saints sent on all three replacements meaning injury for either side in the second period could be disastrous. But thankfully that faith was avoided in this good-natured affair.
Chris Sheridan sent Vanderheijden beyond the last man but before he could conjure a shot, Robbie Eyre made a saving challenge to stop the striker in his tracks.
Roundwood finally decided to test Colin Gregan again in the 66th minute when Johnson’s volley had to be tipped around the post by Saints’ number one. From the resulting corner, Ross Brown headed over and two minutes later, a long throw-in from Ian Hamilton was flicked on by the boot of Johnson but he could not find a way past Gregan.
Saints recommenced battle with the Roundwood goal quickly and their best chance of the match fell to Vanderheijden as he scampered through one-on-one but his finish was diabolical and Roundwood’s reward for keeping their clean sheet was three precious points.
Top Form: Robbie Eyre (Roundwood): Thumping goal and a spirited performance.
ROUNDWOOD AFC 1. P.J. Turner, 2. Scott Kenna, 3. Ian Hamilton, 4. Ross Brown, 5. Tom Fitzpatrick, 6. Adam Moorehouse, 7. Glen Hughes, 8. Robert Eyre, 9. Paddy Lee, 10. Tony Conway, 11. Damo Johnson. SUB: Bill Halligan for Hughes (H/T).
SAINTS FC 1. Colin Gregan, 2. John Lillis, 3. Brian Lillis, 4. Dylan Gregan, 5. Thomas O’Reilly, 6. Paul Gregan, 7. Jason Vanderheijden, 8. Daniel Noctor, 9. Neil Gregan, 10. Ciaran Tighe, 11. Chris Sheridan. SUBS: Mark Hobbs for D. Gregan (H/T); Conor Moynihan for O’Reilly (H/T); Brian Wildes for Tighe (H/T). VENUE: Dominic Lachausse REFEREE: Varty Grounds, Roundwood