Peare puts Moyne on path to victory
BRIDGE ROVERS MOYNE RANGERS
A DOUBLE from John Peare within three first-half minutes sent Moyne Rangers on their way to an ultimately comfortable win over Bridge Rovers at The Bogside in Castlebridge on Sunday.
That said, the Castlebridge strugglers managed to find holes in the title-hopefuls’ defence at times and when Shane Hogan netted to leave the hosts just a goal adrift less than ten minutes into the second-half, the favourites looked to have a real battle on their hands.
They weathered the storm though, and a James Peare strike followed by a Peter Marsden penalty put them firmly back in the driving seat.
Kevin Byrne did manage to pull a goal back for Rovers late on, but Moyne Rangers had the final say when Dillon Redmond put the icing on the cake deep into injury time.
The visitors had begun game on the front foot and they had the first sight of goal inside five minutes when Redmond had to stretch to get his head to a James Peare cross but his effort rose over the top.
With 11 minutes on the clock Ryan Mahon was teed up by John Peare at the edge of the area but his strike lacked the power to trouble Graham Lawlor and moments later Alan Tobin lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper but saw his shot clear the crossbar.
Bridge Rovers were doing a decent job of frustrating Moyne, but midway through the half they showed they posed an attacking threat themselves, when Steven Carr’s first-time effort fizzed wide.
The visitors continued to look the more likely though, with Dillon Redmond and Alan Tobin both trying their luck, before they eventually made the breakthrough in the 34th minute.
Cian Larkin did well to find Pa O’Shea, and when the defender played in John Peare his deflected effort flew past Lawlor.
The celebrations had barely died down when Moyne Rangers had their second, and again it was Peare who did the needful. Dillon Redmond whipped in an inviting cross from the left wing to the inrushing Peare, who steered the ball into the corner of the net.
They should have added a third before the interval, when Ryan Mahon’s corner fell to the feet of Pa O’Shea, but he scooped his close-range effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Bridge Rovers needed a positive start to the second-half if they harboured any hopes of taking something from the game and they came close to gaining a foothold a minute after the change of ends when Simon Murphy’s free-kick whistled wide of the right post.
They threatened again in the 54th minute when Dan Murphy met
Dillon Redmond of Moyne Rangers is challenged by Mark Mythen of Bridge Rovers.
a sweet cross from Reilly Sands, but Pa Doyle got down to make a smart save.
The reprieve was short-lived, however, as seconds later Rovers had the goal their endeavour deserved.
Kevin Byrne sent Shane Hogan in the clear with a sumptuous pass with the outside of his right boot and the attacker made no mistake, curling a left-footed shot out of the reach of Doyle.
Moyne Rangers looked rattled for a few minutes, but they got their mojo back when James Peare grabbed their third goal in the 68th minute.
Alan Tobin sent in a searching delivery from the right wing and Peare arrived at the far post to force the ball over the line.
Moyne Rangers gave themselves some breathing space in the 77th minute when substitute Peter Marsden blasted in a penalty off the inside of the right post after Ryan Mahon had been fouled in the area.
To their credit Bridge Rovers continued to attack with purpose, and they got their reward in the 90th minute when Kevin Byrne fired in from an acute angle.
However, Moyne ended the game on a high with a delightful fifth goal in the fourth minute of injury time, with Cian Larkin playing a pinpoint pass into the path of Dillon Redmond, who finished with aplomb.
Last season’s Neil O’Sullivan Cup winners St. Leonards fell at the second round stage this time around as they were edged out 2-1 by North End United ‘B’.
Dean Roche scored from the penalty spot for the winners, with Ashley Houghton getting their other goal and Adrian Flynn replying for the saints.
Division 1 leaders Kilmore United edged out New Ross Town 3-2 after extra-time in a remarkable game on Sunday.
Shane Cassidy bagged a hat-trick for Kilmore, including the winner in the last minute of extra-time, but he could have had two more as he missed twice from the spot.
Town also missed three penalties from the four that they were awarded, with Dermot Rossiter and Gary Sinnott getting their goals.
Cloughbawn chalked up a 4-1 win in Duncannon, with Gareth Murphy, Paidi Cullen, Gavin Murphy and Kevin Murphy getting their goals and Ryan Slowey replying for the hosts.
Matthew Dunne fired St. Cormac’s in front away to Enniscorthy Town, but that was as good as it got for the visitors, with a double from Joe Hyland and an Aaron Moorehouse strike earning Town a 3-1 victory.
Division 2 high-flyers Adamstown overcame Curracloe United 2-0 with goals from Johnny Connors and Brandon Sinnott, while Jamie Myler, Donal Barron, P.J. Banville and Colin Nolan got on the scoresheet for Campile United in their 4-0 win over Shamrock Rovers ‘B’.
Reece Dunne netted a hattrick for Shamrock Rovers ‘C’ as they overwhelmed St. Cormac’s ‘B’ in the second round of the Gwyn Jones Cup on Sunday.
Pa Cowman got their other two goals in a 5-1 victory, with Ray O’Brien on target for the saints.
Cian Fortune and Stephen Kennedy got the goals for Cloughbawn ‘B’ in their 2-1 win over St. Leonards, with Jaime Cooney replying.
A Pa O’Brien double helped St. Joseph’s ‘B’ to a 3-1 win over Ajax Athletic ‘B’, with Brendan McCreary getting their other goal and Jamie Fox hitting the back of the net for the Rajahs.
Wexford Bohs ‘C’ had too much firepower for New Ross Town ‘B’, running out comfortable 4-0 winners with goals from Graham Kelly (two), Beau Brennan and Gary O’Brien.
Cushinstown ‘B’ fought back from a goal down at the break to see off an understrength Tombrack United outfit.
Harry Fitzgibbon fired Tombrack in front, but goals from Mick Dunne and David Furlong saw Cushinstown through.
Rosslare Port ‘B’ proved too strong for Killenagh Wanderers ‘B’, winning 3-0.