Local derby victory gives early advantage to St Peter's

CCFL Senior Division

Willow Park 1, St Peter's FC 3

by John Dingle

St Peter's laid down an early marker as to their title aspirations when they beat local rivals Willow Park at DPD Park last Saturday evening.

Two goals in a five-minute spell late in the second half steered Peter's to victory after Willow had equalised earlier in the half. Clive Harris had initially opened the scoring for the visitors after 20 minutes and the victory was sealed after the break to end Willow's unbeaten run.

Both teams had been in sparkling form since the league campaign commenced with one hundred per cent records now at stake in perfect conditions.

Willow were the early leaders with full points from their five games played with the visitors three points behind having played a game less. Colin Fortune's men were looking to stretch their lead and enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the opening quarter of an hour. Neil Kenny had the first chance with Nathan Williams then having a shot blocked. Tommy Hurley had a further home chance while Jordan Carr was wide from the first chance that fell Peter's way after 17 minutes.

Further chances were created at either end as Ronan Bergin headed over Kenny’s right-wing cross and Gary Kelly then coming close for the away team. The number nine saw his initial shot blocked by Conor McCormack with a follow-up attempt also blocked by goalkeeper Charlie Raper.

The reprieve for Willow was brief though as the scoring was opened moments later. Carr sent in a cross from the left and Harris was on hand to steer a shot past the keepers left from close range. It was a third goal in two games for Harris as his recent fine form continued.

Ryan Gaffey blasted a Willow chance over the bar soon after before Harris had a chance to double the lead after 34 minutes but Raper saved his shot. Declan McManus was also in top form between the posts for Peter's and did well to save a well-struck free kick from Gaffey, who then completed the action in the half by firing off target.

A change at the break by Fortune saw Daragh Concannon come on for Declan Fallon but the first chance when play resumed fell Peter's way. The half was just 20 seconds old when Johnny Kiernan tried his luck from distance but Raper was alert and tipped the shot over the bar.

Willow responded to their keeper’s best efforts and were back on level terms just four minutes into the half. Concannon was soon in action and sent in a free kick from the right which was forced home from close range by Kevin Dunne after Peter's defence failed to deal with the delivery.

The lead could easily have been quickly restored but Kelly shot over from a good position for the visitors.

The hosts had a good opportunity to hit the front just before the hour mark. Gaffey set up Kenny but his shot was blocked by McManus at the expense of another corner. Carr also had a shot blocked at the other end and as the half progressed the outcome from a lively local derby was still in doubt.

After Gaffey fired wide for Willow, Peter's were more accurate on 70 minutes. Kiernan sent in a cross from the right and Kelly came in to score.

Willow needed to respond but found themselves further behind with 74 minutes played.

It was the goal of the game as Kiernan showed great skill and technique to steer Peter's to another victory. Kiernan’s shot on the turn found the net past the keeper's left. The goalscorer was then denied by Raper as the visitors looked to seal victory.

The Peter's bench was unloaded in the last quarter of an hour as fresh legs were needed to secure the win. Willow continued to probe as full time approached but could make no inroads on the away defence.

A corner after 84 minutes all but ended their attacks and a sending off with a minute remaining quenched the home fire.

Williams picked up a second yellow card and Willow played out the remaining minutes with just ten men.

The three points earned by Peter's sees them now join Willow Park at the top of the table with still a game in hand. It may not be a season-defining win but hands Mark McConnell’s men an early advantage in what is already shaping up to be possibly a two-horse league race between the two Athlone heavyweights.

Willow Park: Charlie Raper, Brian Nestor, Declan Fallon, Kevin Dunne, Conor McCormack, Bryan Hughes, Neil Kenny, Nathan Williams, Ronan Bergin, Ryan Gaffey, Tommy Hurley.

Subs: Daragh Concannon for Fallon (H/T); Ben Kilkenny for Kenny (87 mins).

St Peter's: Declan McManus, Sean Cloherty, Adam Dowling, Stephen Barr, Scott Delaney, Luke Kelly, Jordan Carr, Clive Harris, Gary Kelly, Johnny Kiernan, Nenad Lazic.

Subs: Ian Dempsey for Harris (H/T); John McCrossan for Dowling (74); Dylan Stewart for G Kelly (76); Johnny Duffy for Lazic (87); Jordan Hegarty for Carr (90).

Referee: Leslie Buckley (Offaly)