The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Annascaul/Inch break in new pitch
DENNY DIVISION 2A Annascaul/Inch United 2 Mainebank FC 1
ANNASCAUL/INCH United are the new table toppers in Division 2A after a 2-1 win over fellow title contenders Mainebank at Mounthawk Park on Wednesday night.
This was the first game at the second all weather pitch and it was in wonderful shape and will be a huge asset to the KDL heading into the future.
The first half hour of this game was a very tame affair with neither side creating too many scoring chances but it was Annascaul / Inch that were the biggest threat in front of goals with Joe Kennedy, Killian Falvey and Jerry Foley giving the Mainebank defence a torrid time.
Jerry Foley had two early chances for Annascaul / Inch his first effort brought a fine save from Mainebank keeper Cillian Sayers and his second was just outside the right hand post.
A foul on Cathal Ferriter gave Annascaul / Inch a free kick on the verge of the box but Jason Hickson’s shot went over the top. Gradually Mainbank began to get into the game with James Long and Brendan Delaney working their socks off to try and create chances.
An Annascual/Inch free kick was taken by Jerry Foley and the Mainebank keeper made a fine save to deny him. Then Mainebank enjoyed a good spell which led to a corner kick which was taken by Shane Prendiville and it was taken off the line twice.
Annascaul / Inch went ahead in the 39th minute after a foul on Killian Falvey gave them a free kick 10 yards outside the box. It was whipped into the goalmouth by Jason Hickson and James Sayers crept in at the far post and volleyed to the net from five yards.
Annascaul / Inch had the first chance of the second half and Jerry Foley was very unlucky to see his rasper of a shot come back off the post with the Mainebank keeper beaten.
Then Killian Falvey and Cathal Ferriter split open the Mainebank defence and Ferriter was denied by a great save by the Mainebank goalie. Mainebank then enjoyed their best spell of the game and Brendan Delaney was almost in but Tommy Pierce saved the day.
They went on to force four corner kicks and from one James Long’s header was taken off the line. They had strong claims for a penalty kick shortly afterwards when a player took a tumble in the box but referee Tom O’Sullivan was only a couple of feet away from the incident and waved play on.
As Mainbank pressed for an equaliser they were leaving themselves open at the back. They were caught flat-footed in the 86th minute when they failed to deal with a Jason Hickson free kick from midfield and Killian Falvey stole in at the near post and tucked the ball away to seal the game.
To their credit Mainebank kept battling away and they got what was little more than a consolation goal deep into stoppage time with sub John Lawlor finding the net from a Aaron Ger O’Sullivan cross.
There is still a long way to go in the title race in this division and both sides will be in the mix for a place in the decider.
ANASCAUL/INCH: Tommy Pierce, James Sayers, Sam Moriarty, John Bowler, Timmy Smith, Jerry Foley, Jason Hickson, Cathal Ferriter, Killian Falvey, Joe Kennedy, Alan Falvey
MAINEBANK: Cillian Sayers, Cian Flynn, Timmy Buckley, Daniel Ashe, Aaron Brosnan, James Long, Sean Foley, (Shane Buckley 80 min), Shane Prendiville, (John Lawlor 78 min), Aaron Ger O’Sullivan, Colm O’Neill, (Oisin Murphy 59 min), Brendan Delaney
REFEREE: Tom O’Sullivan