ASHFORD TOPPLE THE TOWN
Rovers see off Arklow to move to the top of the table
ARKLOW TOWN ASHFORD ROVERS 1 5
ARKLOW TOWN were looking to regain some form and put last weekend’s local derby cup tie defeat against Arklow United out of their minds with a much needed win against league rivals Ashford Rovers.
The game was one of the only games that wasn’t called off due to weather conditions as the league game was played on the all-weather pitch at Bridgewater Centre Park.
Ashford started the better of the two sides and had the majority of the possession for the first ten minutes but failed to capitalise on their opportunities.
The best chance fell to Jamie Byrne who went on a great run beating the Arklow defence but his shot was brilliantly saved by Town keeper Dylan Byrne in the ninth minute.
Arklow Town should have opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Chris Furlong gained back possession for his side after chasing down a lost ball and played a through ball to James O’Brien, but the striker took the shot on with his first touch and it was saved by Ashford keeper Tommy Quinn. A great chance for the home side to open the scoring just on the twenty minute mark.
Two goals in quick succession meant the away side took a 2-0 lead before half-time.
The first coming from striker Ryan Beale who was first to react to a loose ball that fell to his feet from a corner, Beale made no mistake and fired the ball into the back of the net to give his side the lead in the 28th minute.
The second came from a superb corner from Jamie Byrne on 31 minutes.
The midfielder whipped in a powerful corner looking for his team mates at the back post but managed to find the top left hand corner of the net.
The Town did have a few chances to grab a goal back before half-time but the home side couldn’t find the back of the net.
Midfielder Danny Bradshaw was introduced at half-time for a more attacking outlet in the centre of midfield and almost scored with his first touch just after the second half kick-off.
Bradshaw was waiting on the edge of the penalty area waiting for the arrival of a corner kick from James O’Brien.
The midfielder drifted into the box just as the corner was being whipped in by O’Brien but as the ball fell to his feet he fluffed his shot and the ball was cleared off the line, a huge let off for Ashford as they let their defensive duties drop.
Chris Furlong grabbed one back for Arklow Town, as he always does in the 60th minute. The striker went unchallenged at the back post and headed in a corner from O’Brien to give his side a chance of grabbing a point with half an hour remaining. Ashford didn’t let themselves get dragged into a battle of sharing the points against their league rivals and started attacking more.
Two goals from Tristan O’Toole in the 70th and the 72nd minute gave Arklow Town little chance of a comeback as they were now trailing 4-1 with not long left to play in the game.
Substitute Adam Crean finished the game off with a well struck penalty in the 82nd minute after Ferdia Hunt made an illegal challenge in the area to give Ashford another chance of yet another goal, which Crean finished off perfectly tucking the ball into the corner of the net.
Another game to forget for the Arklow Town side but Ashford march on with league rivals Avonmore in their sights for the league title.
Arklow Town: 1. Dylan Byrne,
2. Pierce Cullen, 3. Ryan Tolan,
4. Dylan Murphy, 5. Dan Hingerty, 6. John Boyle, 7. Chris Furlong, 8. Jack Molloy, 9. Cian Quinn, 10. James O’Brien, 11. Luke Cummings. Subs: Jay Jay for John Boyle (45min), Danny Bradshaw for Cian Quinn (45min), Ferdia Hunt for Pierce Cullen (60min), Eoin O’Neill for Ryan Tolan (70min).
Ashford Rovers: 1. Tommy Quinn, 2. Fionn Matthews, 3. Kristan Kearney, 4. Dan Rooney,
5. Jamie Byrne, 6. Evan Butler, 7. Aaron Fannon, 8. Gary O’Connor, 9. Oisin Hill, 10, Ryan Beale, 11. Kian Marah. Subs: Tristian O’Toole for Ryan Beale (60min), Adam Creane for Oisin Hill (67min).
Referee: Tony Doran.