Raheen rejoice
RAHEEN F.C. WEXFORD ALBION
THE GAME was in injury time when Frank Staples launched a corner kick towards the far post and somehow, through a crowded goalmouth, it ended in the opposite corner of the net.
And the celebrations duly began as the breakthrough ensured the Division 3A title winged its way towards Raheen, with Wexford Albion left shattered at the end of a tense 90 minutes at Rosslare Strand on Sunday.
It was the sweetest of ways to ensure a title was annexed. Raheen were three points clear of their opponents going into this, the final league game of the season, so a draw would have been sufficient.
But given the pressure endured during the closing ten minutes, there was a huge sigh of relief when Staples’ well-struck corner kick decided the destination of the points and the trophy.
For Wexford Albion it was the cruellest fashion to lose out. They controlled this game for lengthy periods, but the pressure of having to secure a victory to secure a play-off weighed heavily on their shoulders as they failed dismally to put away a couple of chances.
Perhaps the pressure the side carried into this game was patently evident on the 30-minute mark. They certainly had looked impressive in their approach play up to then.
Sam O’Neill’s trickery drew a tackle as he cut inside the right edge of the area, leaving referee John Diskin to point to the spot.
There was no doubting the decision, but once calm was restored, Eddie Pitman pulled the penalty attempt well wide of the right post to the dismay of his supporters, and with it a great chance of taking the lead disappeared.
The miss altered the course of the game, as Raheen realised that what had gone on up to that was not acceptable if they were to lift the title, as they were being overrun in midfield while the back four was being stretched all too easily.
However, the safe handling of ‘ keeper Jason Whitty helped them keep a clean sheet through the opening 15 minutes as he superbly dealt with efforts from Sam O’Neill and Kyle Mann, while the experienced Paddy Whitty led by example as he tried to bring more composure to their defensive efforts.
Raheen were only threatening with quick counter-attacks, but Daragh Bolger saw an effort rise over the bar.
On 23 minutes Albion should have taken the lead, but Pierce Dooley lobbed both the advancing ‘keeper and the crossbar when he should have scored.
Then came the penalty miss, and they were to be handed no further lifeline before the break as Raheen came more into the game, with a Frank Staples effort just rising over the bar to leave it 0-0 at the interval.
More ambition might have been expected of Raheen through the opening period, but what was missing was seen much more in their play on the resumption, as Ian Bradley and Mark Cowman, in particular, now began to impose themselves on the game.
Raheen were growing in confidence with their back four now in command, and with Cowman proving inspirational in midfield they threatened the breakthrough on several occasions.
But on 63 minutes, Albion created the best chance of the half up to then when Pierce Dooley sent over a great cross that was powerfully headed towards goal by Kyle Mann, but it just went over the top.
The fact that Albion had exploited that space saw Raheen bring more players behind the ball, and a quick counter-attack and shot from Cowman tested Richie O’Reilly in the Albion goal. Cowman went close with a further effort that rose just over.
The game was still on a knife edge entering the closing minutes, but Raheen were now doing more of the pressing.
And as the game moved into additional time, Staples became the hero with the most important goal of the season.
Champions North End tightened their grip at the top of the Premier Division table with victories over Gorey duo, Rangers and Celtic.
Kyle Dempsey bagged both goals as they beat Rangers 2-0 on Wednesday to avenge their early-season defeat, and they followed it up with a 5-1 triumph over Celtic on Sunday.
Kyle Dempsey got on the scoresheet again, youth player Leon Cullen followed suit, and Gary Byrne, Paul ‘ Spot’ Murphy and Robin Dempsey completed the scoring.
Shamrock Rovers kept up the chase with a 2-1 midweek win over Corach Ramblers.
Eamon O’Brien and Daniel Carroll scored for the winners, with Gareth McCurtin replying for Corach.
Moyne Rangers beat Bridge Rovers by the same scoreline.
Dayle Donohoe and Richie Farrell scored for the Enniscorthy outfit, with Kevin Murphy replying for Rovers.
Bunclody came out on top in a goal-fest with Tombrack on Sunday, winning 5-3 thanks to a Jason Somers hat-trick and goals from Severin Gadzina and Johnny Melay.