Narrow defeat for ’Stones
Goal early in the second-half earns win for Lakelands
AN early second half goal by Lakelands led to Greystones United failing to make it four wins out of five games in this DDSL Under-17 Division 1A tie, at Woodlands, on Sunday morning.
After being backed by a strong wind in the opening half, the omens looked distinctly unfavourable for the home side when they could manage to end the first half only on level terms – at 1-1 - their goal coming from striker Luis Meredes, after the ball had been pulled back in excellent fashion from the right wing.
But on the change of ends, only 10 minutes had elapsed when the Stillorgan outfit, who had won two of their opening three games, took a lead which they never subsequently relinquished.
After the ball had been delivered into the Greystones penalty area, sub Ben Conroy availed of some confusion in the home defence and displayed clinical finishing ability by lobbing the ball over the head of goalkeeper Ben Hogan who had ventured a little off his line.
And on the balance of the second half play, the home side were arguably a trifle fortunate not to finish further in arrears as they struggled to gain possession in the opposition’s half in the wake of Conroy’s clinical strike.
Indeed, on a number of occasions, Lakelands, for whom lone striker Sam Rowntree shot their opening goal, threatened to add to their tally.
On 68 minutes, Greystones netminder Hogan did well to gather a wind-assisted longrange shot from central defender Ryan McLoughlin, and just before the final whistle a similar distance effort from McLouglin sailed narrowly wide of the left post.
After the game, Greystones manager Nick Andrews, whose son Liam featured in the clash against Lakelands, had to rush from Woodlands, as his daughter was playing in a match in Enniskerry.
And Lakelands’ manager Denis Joyce said: “Coming here today and beating Greystones is a big scalp for us as Greystones had won three of their four matches, and so we’re very pleased with the result.
‘Admittedly, we had won two of our three matches, but on their home ground Greystones had to be favourites for this match. It was a lovely pitch to play on, but the very strong wind made it very difficult for both teams.
‘We won the toss, but we decided to play against the wind in the first half because we felt that Greystones would tire a bit playing against the wind in the second half.
‘And things worked out very well for us in this regard. We were happy enough to be level at half-time and then we got the crucial goal when we had the advantage of the wind in the second half.
‘Greystones definitely tired a bit towards the end, and I thought their discipline dropped a bit as well, as I suppose they got a bit frustrated at the way the game was slipping away from them.
‘I thought that our back four was very solid today, and we like to play a bit of ball in the middle of the field, but because of the conditions that was very difficult today.’
LAKELANDS: Sean Garvey; Conor Hughes, Ryan McLoughlin, Fionnan O’Shaughnessy, Liam Joyce; Chris McCann, Adam Scott, Leo Hennigan, Jack Power, Glen Hannigan; Sam Rowntree. Subs: Luke Kearns for Hughes (30), Ryan Norton for Hannigan (half-time), Ben Conroy for Power (half-time), Kieran Maguire for Joyce (half-time),
GREYSTONES UNITED: Ben Hogan; Freddie Bradshaw Mark Nugent, Ruben Kenny, Hugo Leon; Kristian Currie, Sean McCormack, Dylan Thompson; Jack Dye, Luis Meredes, Liam Andrews.
REFEREE: Timara Lawless (DDSL)