Melville fight back and snatch victory on penalties

MELVILLE Utd knocked Athlone neighbours Monksland Utd out of the coveted FAI Junior Cup for the second year running on Sunday morning after a close fought and entertaining encounter at Cushla Park. Monksland, playing a level below Melville in the second tier of the Combined Counties League, went into the game with a flawless record this season and their performance suggests it won't be too long before their also competing in the top level of the local league. However, they fell narrowly short on Sunday, coming up against a dogged and determined Melville, who succeeded in making the next round despite falling behind on three separate occasions. In the end, following a six-goal thriller and a tense extra-time period, it was left to John Paul Stephens - Melville's centre half - to slot home the decisive spot kick and send Derek Hussey's side into the fourth round. In fairness to each side, the game proved a credit to both outfits and it was harsh to see either team exit the competition after giving so much on the day. Melville and Willow Park, the latter of whom are fancied for a major cup run this season, are now the only Athlone-based teams remaining in the country's most prestigious junior football competition. On a chilling morning in Monksland, Melville started the game in bright form and seemed keen to assert themselves on proceedings from the off, with their determined attitude proving a major plus to their efforts throughout the contest. Melville had a couple of half chances during the opening ten minutes when their direct approach caused a couple of problems for a slow-starting Monksland, but neither Graham Whittaker or Gary Stephens could find the target with early efforts. The game quickly swung in Monksland's favour and Matt Scally netted the first of a fine hat-trick in the 23rd minute. Conor Jordan played a flicked pass over the top of the Melville defence but the loose ball seemed certain to be mopped up by Melville 'keeper Gary O'Connor, however, a breakdown in communication saw the netminder collide with John Paul Stephens and the ball rolled free to Scally who finished right-footed from close range. Although Monksland now looked pretty comfortable, Melville didn't panic and found themselves on level terms just before the interval. Monksland left back Keith O'Reilly was adjudged to have taken down Melville's Colin McCormack inside the penalty area, a slightly surprising decision by referee Tony Ward considering the Melville player didn't go to ground and his team-mates failed to even muster a serious penalty appeal. Nonetheless, the impressive Whittaker - always a tower of strength in midfield for Melville - stepped up to tuck the ball into the back of the Monksland net. Monksland came out for the second half with a strong breeze in their favour and re-took the lead on the hour mark. Again, it was Scally who did the damage, taking the ball down well on the edge of the penalty area before finding his way past a couple of Melville tackles before shooting past O'Connor from close to the penalty spot. Monksland's lead only lasted just over ten minutes though, with the visitors again showing good strength of character to fight back. This time, McCormack's corner kick wasn't dealt with by the home defence and Gary Quinn fired to the net following something of a goalmouth scramble. Both sides showed a positive attitude for the remainder of normal time but clear-cut opportunities proved few and far between. Ultimately, the game was destined for extra-time and the thoughts of penalty kicks was also becoming a major factor. Monksland had other ideas though, and found themselves ahead for a third time midway through the first period of extra-time. Substitute Padraig Geraghty made his way down the right wing after a neat interchange of passes with Conor Jordan, and the former's whipped cross into the near post was headed across goal and into the net via the upright by the clinical Scally. Monksland held possession for much of the remainder of extra-time but Melville always looked dangerous when venturing forward, with a couple of chances going abegging for Gary Stephens and Whittaker. In true cup fashion, Melville left it until the final minute of extra-time to fashion an equaliser, when McCormack's delivery into the box caused mayhem in the home defence and Whittaker pounced on the loose ball to place a perfect left-footed shot past Seamie McManus and into the net. With tension now reaching fever pitch, both teams successfully converted their first three penalty kicks before Conor Jordan (Monksland) and Gary Quinn (Melville) surprisingly missed. The next two spotkicks proved successful for each side before the unfortunate Aidan Reilly saw his effort saved by O'Connor. It was left to John Paul Stephens to wrap up the contest and he proved accurate with his effort to see Melville past a really tough contest. Monksland Utd: Seamie McManus; Kevin Murray, Keith O'Reilly, James Keegan, Jack Burke, Aidan Reilly, Alan Dunne, David O'Brien, Conor Jordan, Matt Scally, Ian O'Reilly. Subs: Padraig Geraghty for Dunne (65 mins), Kevin Brennan for I. O'Reilly (96). Melville Utd: Gary O'Connor; Wayne Flanagan, Aaron Joyce, John Paul Stephens, Gary Quinn, Eoin O'Connor, Colin McCormack, Graham Whittaker, Gary Stephens, Davy Dowling, Mickey Rafferty. Subs: Vinny Mullins for Joyce (55 mins). Referee: Tony Ward.