Win sees Fenit Samphires stay on track as Windmill’s title challenge fades
CHARLEVILLE CHEESE DIVISION ONE
Fenit Samphires 4 Windmill United 0
THIS was an important game in the league title race in this division with Fenit Samphires and Windmill United locking horns at Mounthawk Park with both sides hoping to collect maximum points to keep their league title aspirations alive.
Both sides have the credentials to pose a threat in the title race but they could not afford any slip ups at this crucial stage of the league campaign.
A closely contested game was anticipated but a storming second half goals blitz gave Fenit the type of landslide victory that they could hardly have envisaged.
No one would be able to contemplate the way this game would change so drastically in the second half with a remarkable scoring spree by Fenit putting the game to bed with four goals in eight minutes.
It was only a stroll in the Park for the seasiders after this recording a resounding win against a disappointing Windmill United side who lost their way in the game in the second half after a relentless onslaught of goal scoring that simply blew them away.
The game was relatively even enough in the first half and with Fenit leading 1-0 at the break Windmill were well in the game..
However Fenit took complete control of the game in the second half banging in six goals without reply and won the game in a canter at the end.
Fenit were the more creative side early in the game and went ahead from a corner kick with Cian McKenna finishing to the net from close range.
Windmill went close to equalising with a Paudie Bailey free kick going just inches wide.
Then they forced a corner kick and Sean Kerins got a pocket of space inside the box but his shot went wide.
Now Windmill were getting better possession with Paudie Bailey the playmaker ably assisted by David Rogers and Adam Hegarty.
However they were unable to get any type of decent supply of the ball in the final third of the pitch with the Fenit defence keeping a tight ship at the back
Fenit missed a sitter just before half time with Cian McKenna showing great sharpness and awareness to pounce when the Windmill keeper dropped the ball but he was unable to steer the ball home.
Fenit turned on the fireworks at the start of the second half with 4 goals in rapid succession scored by Cian McKenna, Peter McCarthy (penalty), Richard Burke and Ger McCarthy
After this Windmill went into damage limitation mode so not to end up the victims of an embarrassing scoreline.
Then Joe Carmody came off the bench for Fenit and scored twice to complete the rout.
It was an evening to forget for Windmill United who were completely outplayed in the second half.
They are a much better side than this and they just have to pick up the pieces and get their act together quickly if they are to have any slim chance in the title race.
This was an important win for Fenit and now they have leapfrogged past Windmill in the league table with 16 points from 12 games.
Mainebank are almost out of sight at the top of the table on 22 points while Rattoo Rovers are just 2 points behind them. The Ballyduff side have played 12 games and have 20 points.
Fenit are 4 points behind Rattoo but they have two games in hand so if they can keep the momentum going the seasiders will be in with a big shout if they continue to churn out good results in their final four games of the season.
After this result Windmill are almost out of the equation but they could be a side to look out for in the cup competitions.
FENIT SAMPHIRES: Ciaran Murray, Gearoid O Connor, Hugh O’Callaghan, Dylan Flynn, Alan McElligott, Peter McCarthy, Donagh Murphy, Kevin Burrows, Ger McCarthy, Richard Burke, Cian McKenna. Subs: David O’Brien, Joe Carmody, Luke Murphy, Charlie Nolan, Jack Nolan.
WINDMILL UNITED: John Fitzgerald, Brian Murphy, David O’Callaghan, Sean Kerins, David Rogers, Paudie Bailey, Tommy Costello, Adam Hegarty, Jack Lynch, Eric McMahon, David Kerins. Subs: David Clifford, Conor Burke, Paul O’Sullivan.
REFEREE Adrian Quirke.