Banville goal earns Campile the points
IT WAS winter football at its finest in Ferns on Sunday where Eric Banville’s goal immediately after the break gave visitors Campile United a vital 1-0 win over Ferns United in Division 1 of the Wexford Football League.
On a day when clearcut chances were few and far between and where play was largely confined to an intense midfield battle, the game was nonetheless intriguing in its own way.
The manner which Campile defended their lead was textbook in it’s execution, particularly how disciplined they were in not conceding any free-kicks in threatening positions, limiting the locals instead to a bombardment from corners that largely failed to trouble an in-sync defence.
While to a man every member of the victors’ side are to be commended, special mention must go to veteran centre-half Graham Howlin, who is still playing an integral part in defying opposing teams 20 years after making his debut in the Wexford League.
Campile had the first chance of any note when Owen Rowe’s shot was comfortable for Enda Murphy after four minutes, but the early action was largely encamped in the middle third.
Ferns survived a hairy moment on 19 minutes when Murphy rushed from his line to claim Emmet Dunning’s delivery, only to flap at thin air, and the loose ball was eventually knocked behind for a corner.
Shane Banville had a halfchance well blocked by Benny Jordan, while Ferns created an opening on the half-hour mark when Ryan Nolan found Adrian Breen who swiped over.
Nolan then had his ankles clipped to the left of the edge of the box, but John Breen’s subsequent free-kick was easily gathered.
Campile’s goalscorer screwed a header wide before the break, and Nolan cut in from the left only to blaze over as neither side could force the breakthrough by half-time.
However, Ferns seemed to switch off when play resumed, and when the ball was slid through to Banville 43 seconds into the new half, he held his composure to tuck away the game’s only goal.
What followed was a heroic backs-to-the-wall containment exercise from his team-mates. Campile still created a couple of chances, though, with Rowe’s half-volley springing an excellent save out of Murphy, while Kevin Parker fired over on 52 minutes.
In contrast, Ferns’ attacking approach was full of intent but lacked the required killer instinct. Lively substitute Ivan Meegan had perhaps their best chance from open play when he latched on to James Tonks’ ball over the top but he couldn’t quite steer it goalwards.
The Campile tackles were flying in at this stage as they repelled virtually everything thrown at them.
However, Ferns did create one more gilt-edged opportunity nine minutes from time when another substitute, Eugene Breen, rose highest to connect with Nolan’s corner, only for Aaron Mythen to make an instinctive save.
They continued to huff and puff thereafter without ever making Campile sweat as the New Ross district men deservedly held on. And while defeat is hardly a fatal blow for Ferns’ survival prospects, they have certainly delved into ‘must-win’ territory having played more games than anyone else in the division.
CAMPILE UNITED: Aaron Mythen; Shane Banville, Emmet Dunning, Graham Howlin, David Larkin; Patrick McMahon, Tomás Kent, Kevin Parker, Darragh Kent; Owen Rowe, Eric Banville. Subs. - Peter Bolger for S. Banville (66), Tommy Quinn for Kent (84).
FERNS UNITED: Enda Murphy; Michael Andrews, Patrick Skelton, Benny Jordan, Frank Devereux; Anthony Dwyer, John Breen, Tommy Dwyer, Adrian Breen; Ryan Nolan, James Tonks. Subs. - Ivan Meegan for A. Breen (HT), James Lawlor for A. Dwyer (58), Eugene Breen for Skelton (59), Martin Redmond for Devereux (83).
REFEREE: Michael Franklin.