Square back on top after thriller
SQUARE UNITED ATHBOY CELTIC 4 3
SQUARE United kept their push for the Division 1 title on track as they returned to the top of the table following a hugely entertaining game at Ardee Community School.
The hosts started the better of the two teams, producing some wonderful attacking football, and they deservedly took the lead when Aaron Kerley got on the end of a slick move down their left-hand side, with Paudy Clarke and Trevor Matthews combining well in the build-up.
Square netted again after some good work on the right by Andrew Egan, who beat two men before sliding a pass into Kerley who doubled his own tally by confidently rounding the keeper and slotting home.
The chances kept coming for Square, with Stefan Halpenny and Johnny Sheridan both unlucky with good headed efforts and the athboy keeper spectacularly saving from a Kian Moran header.
As the half wore on Athboy got into the game and forced Marc Levins into making two saves. The keeper could do nothing about Athboy’s first goal, though, as a ball over the top was taken on the turn by the Athboy striker and smashed home from close range.
It was still 2-1 going into the break, but that lead was quickly wiped out as Athboy started the second half stronger and equalised after taking advantage of some confusion in the home defence.
For the second week in a row Square showed massive resilience and pushed on to restore their two-goal lead. Robbie Leavy won possession in midfield and freed Andrew Egan down the right and the winger beat his man before firing in a dangerous low cross which the Athboy centre-half inadvertently turned into his own net.
Square’s fourth goal was again a slick move, with neat interplay between Kerley and Moran which resulted in Moran being one-on-one with the keeper, and although his shot was initially saved the striker followed up to score from the rebound.
The Ardee men created a number of chances to seal the game with a fifth goal but were made to work for their win when Athboy worked an opening for their midfielder who calmly slotted into the Square net. SQUARE UNITED: Mark Levins, Killian Murray, Paudy Clarke, Eamonn Callaghan, Stefan Halpenny, Johnny Sheridan, Robbie Leavy, Kian Moran, Andrew Egan, Aaron Kerley, Trevor Matthews. Subs: Mark Quinn, Eddie Burke, Brian Corcoran, James Clarke, Barry McCoy.