PETER’S TURN ON THE STYLE
FAI Junior Cup
St Peter’s progressed in the FAI Junior Cup in impressive fashion as they travelled to Naas AFC and ran out 2-1 winners.
The scoreline might not sound overly convincing but the visitors were much the better side and the margin of victory could have been greater.
The Bray side were on the front foot from the off and Darren McAteer volleyed over after just two minutes.
Moments later Chad Ryan’s clever back-heel put Jamie Kelly through, but again the shot went over the crossbar.
They continued to pepper the Naas goal with shots, with Kelly, Chad Ryan and Killian O’Carroll going close and eventually they made the breakthrough they deserved on 16 minutes, when Kelly delivered a cross to the back post, which Ryan powerfully headed to the net.
St Peter’s continued to attack in waves, but they were hit with a sucker-punch when Naas AFC levelled against the run of play just before the interval, with their centre-half James Hilliard neatly tucking away a penalty.
The Wicklow representatives didn’t let their heads drop though and got their noses back in front midway through the second-half when Tony Harris converted a spot-kick, after Ryan had been fouled.
The visitors pushed for a third goal, but in the end two was enough as they safely made it through to the next round.
Ashford Rovers were also on the road as the travelled to Longford to face Killoe FC and ran out 3-0 winners.
Anto Byrne opened the scoring on the quarter hour mark and Jack Geraghty doubled their advantage, after good build-up play involving Jamie Byrne, Karl Earls and Danny Byrne.
Evan Dunne then put the icing on the cake with a long-range strike that found the bottom corner of the net.
Andy McEvoy Premier
Newtown United got back to winning ways when overcoming newly-promoted Arklow United ‘A’ in their Andy McEvoy Premier Division clash on Sunday.
The Magpies took the lead in the first-half when Dillon Carthy burst forward with purpose, and when the ball fell to Shane Doyle he made no mistake, burying it to the corner of the net.
Newtown doubled their advantage after the interval and again it was Doyle that did the needful, getting on the end of a Martin Williams cross and directing a beautiful header to the net.
The visitors then went three goals to the good, when a Ross Davis cross deflected off a defender and flew into the net.
Arklow United pulled a goal back through Zach Kilbride, but Newtown had the final say, with Neilly Martin bagging their fourth.
Pat O’Toole Division 1
Greystones United proved too good for Rathnew AFC in their Pat O’Toole Division 1 encounter at the weekend, running out 3-0 winners.
Anthony Fermoyle bagged two goals for the winners, with Seán Smith also hitting the back of the net.
Conary United and Arklow United ‘B’ shared the spoils after a scoreless stalemate, while St. Anthony’s ran out 4-0 winners over Newtown United ‘B’ (see focus match).
Division 3
Ryan Cahill netted a hat-trick for Avonmore ‘B’ as they hit Shamrock Celtic for six in their Division 3 clash on Sunday. Andrew Browne (two) and Martin Kenny got their other goals in a 6-1 victory.
John Kavanagh (two), Paddy Adair and Eugene Jordan got the goals for Carnew FC ‘B’ as they ran out 4-2 winners over Coolboy Rangers.
Roundwood won 2-0 away to Ballywaltrim FC, with Darren Gibson and Declan Carstairs hitting the back of the net.
Aughrim Rangers and Arklow Town shared the spoils after a 2-2 draw, with Shane O’Keefe and Conor Phelan scoring for Rangers and Donal O’Keefe and Alan Werder replying for Town.