Asdee get back in the title hunt with victory
DENNY DIVISION 1B
Asdee Rovers 3 Castlemaine United 1
ASDEE Rovers gained valuable ground on the leading title contenders in this division with a hard earned win over an understrength Castlemaine United side at Mounthawk Park on Friday night.
The game got off to a lively start and Castlemaine almost went ahead in the fourth with Aaron McCarthy denied by a fine save by Asdee keeper Owen Tydings.
Immediately afterwards Asdee went ahead with a rather strange goal.
A bout of head tennis in the Castlemaine goalmouth seemed to be going nowhere but unfortunately at the end of it all a Castlemaine defender headed the ball past his own keeper.
Asdee could have doubled their lead five minutes later when Padraig O’Neill played in Seamus O’Sullivan but his shot was a tame effort, which was a comfortable save for Castlemaine goalie Dara O’Connor.
Gradually Castlemaine began to enjoy more possession with Aaron McCarthy pulling the strings at midfield while Cathal Moriarty was a constant threat up front.
However, Asdee doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Darragh Keane used his strength to win the ball at midfield and after leaving a number of players in his wake he stretched the Castlemaine defence and showed great vision to spot the run of Seamus O’Sullivan just inside the box and he applied a great finish low to the bottom corner.
Then Castlemaine got a free kick out on the wing which was floated into the box by Aaron McCarthy and when the ball broke loose in the box Cathal Moriarty pounced and his low shot was brilliantly saved by Asdee keeper Owen Tydings.
They had another chance just before the break again from a free kick but Moss Moriarty was unable to apply the finish. While Asdee held a two goal advantage at half-time the game was still delicately poised as Castlemaine would have a stiff breeze aiding them in the second half.
They began brightly after the tip off and in a speedy attack Cathal Moriarty was taken down fractionally outside the box. After brushing himself off he took the free kick, but his low shot was outside the right hand post.
Asdee put the game to bed on the hour mark with Eamon Leahy making a great run from midfield and off loading to Seamus O’Sullivan inside the box and he drilled the ball low past the Castlemaine keeper.
To their credit Castlemaine kept battling away but they were finding very little luck up front as Asdee began to slow down the pace of the game and bring on a number of substitutions.
They almost pulled one back in the 85th minute when Daniel O’Connor unhinged the Asdee defence, but just as he was about to pull the trigger he was denied by a great tackle from Cillian Beasley.
The Mid Kerry side finished strongly and they were rewarded with a late consolation goal when Cathal Moriarty set up Daniel O’Connor and he cut into the box and finished to the net in style.
Now Asdee are fourth in the table four points behind table toppers The Park with three games in hand. They are a point behind third placed Listowel Celtic with two games in hand while they are two points behind second placed Castlegregory also with two games in hand. Windmill are also in contention as they have several games in hand.