Classy Woodview deny Rock a share of top spot in table
WOODVIEW prevented the visitors from gaining a share of the leadership of the under-12 division. Instead the goalless stalemate meant Rock had to be content to take over third spot on their own, with a game more played than the joint pacesetters Blayney Academy and Bellurgan United.
In fairness a draw was the least that the hosts deserved as they made the most of the running and were the more threatening side despite occupying the second last rung of the table.
However, only three points separated the sides and that that margin still stands is due to a doughty defensive display by Rock, copper fastened by the goalkeeping of Ryan McCutcheon.
His handling was flawless, advancesvances off his line well judged and effective and he capped another impressive display with a couple of outstanding saves that ensured his side left with a point.
Dermot O’Rourke was the fulcrumcrum of the Woodview attack, and came close on three occasions to putting his side ahead in the firsthalf when they played with the aid of the strong breeze.
He was denied by McCutcheon as he pounced on indecision by a couple of Rock defenders to shoot from close range, and then Rock defender Conal Duffy just did enough to put him off when he got into another dangerous position close to goal before the Woodview attacker shot just wide.
The home side did manage to put the ball in the Rock net on 20 minutes, but it was disallowed for offside.
The only time Rock threatened was towards the break when Alex O’Kane struck a long range free just wide.
The same player produced the most dazzling piece of play in the game when he quickly flicked the ball inside and away from a defender on the left near half way and raced from a couple more opponents into the Woodview penalty box only for James McBennett to take off the save of the match as he dived low to block his shot.
McCutcheon foiled O’Rourke as the latter broke free at the other end before Woodview had a let off as O’Kane turned the ball back from the back line but in a crowded box Liam McQuillan couldn’t get away a shot.
Woodview finished pressing for the winning goal with Dylan Ward leading the way, as he worked his way in along the byline. From the resulting corner the ball was blocked in front of Rock goal as it was flying towards the net.
Cian Spaight was a combative figure for Rock in mid-field and prompted a lot of his side’s better play , while Shea Neary was a menacing attacker with his incisive dribbling runs along the left flank. ROCK: Ryan McCutcheon, Alex O’Kane, Jamie Soraghan, Cillian Carroll, Cian Spaight, Cormac Broe, Liam McQuillan, Conal Duffy, Micah Musonda, Ben McKeown, Jake Logan, Shea Neary, Harry O’Reilly, Killian Lynch.
WOODVIEW: James Bennett, Gerard Cunningham, James Cooper, Dylan Ward, Anton Urbanski, Malik Osemi, Ryan Aywood, Gavin O’Rourke, Dermot O’Rourke, Cian McArdle, Caoimhe Magee, Fergus Toal, Conal Rogers, Kyle McArdle.