Willow Park cruise to victory

ATHLONE's Willow Park eased themselves into the sixth round of the prestigious FAI Junior Cup courtesy of a straight-forward and handsome victory over a young Knocklyon side last Sunday afternoon. A brace apiece for attackers Colm Hyland, who has hit a real purple patch of late, and the diminutive Benny Magennis, added to the opening goal on seven minutes by experienced striker Brian Frawley. Willow Park, who are unbeaten in all competitions this season, will now travel to Ballyfermot in three week's time to face Orchard FC - not to be confused with fellow Ballyfermot-based outfit Cherry Orchard - in the last 32. The home side went into the game without the injured Colin Fortune, who tore a thigh muscle the previous weekend, while fellow midfielder Mark McConnell was also on the injured list. They were also without Craig Tone, who had made a real impact in the competition for Willow this season, after the attacker joined League of Ireland First Division side Mervue Utd. Otherwise though, Willow had a full-strength squad to choose from and looked far too strong for a physically inept and inexperienced Knocklyon side. It all started well for Willow as they took the lead in the seventh minute. Centre-back Jimmy Mullally and Aidan Hyland did the spade work, setting up Brian Frawley for a neat finish from close range. Five minutes later, Aidan Hyland had a good chance to increase his side's lead but struck a volley too close to Mike Carroll, who, in fairness, kept the scoreline semi-respectable on the day with a number of fine saves. On 14 minutes, Mark Nicholson, who was controlling the middle of the field along with Gary McHugh, drove a brilliant 25-yard effort at goal which Carroll did really well to push around the right-hand post. Seconds later, Brian Frawley teed up Magennis but his side-footed effort was again stopped by Carroll. Gary McHugh was next to test the Knocklyon 'keeper, with the visiting netminder doing superbly to tip his long-range drive over the crossbar. Brian Frawley's well-delivered corner kick also deserved better but nobody was on hand to convert from close range. However, with Willow in complete command and Knocklyon playing with just a single striker, a second goal was always on the cards, and it duly arrived in the 26th minute. And it was well worth waiting for. McHugh, roughly 30 yards from goal, passed a neat ball into the feet of Brian Frawley, who was tightly marked by Ian McNamee. Frawley used all his football intelligence to hold off McNamee and manufacture a splendid back-heel into the path of the in-rushing Colm Hyland, who then neatly finished the ball past Carroll. It was simply brilliant play by a rampant Willow team. Knocklyon managed to cling on at 2-0 until half-time but there was never any way back into tie for the Dubliners. Willow always looked capable of adding more goals to their tally and did so in the 58th minute when Aidan Hyland broke into the visitors' box and squared a lovely pass to Magennis, who had the simple job of tapping home from close range. Willow manager Tony O'Sullivan saw the opportunity to utilise his squad and introduced Earl Gaylard and Paul Murphy, the latter making a return to the club after a spell with rivals St Peter's. Michael Harney was also brought onto the field during the final 15 minutes, at which time Willow had just increased their lead to four goals. Peter Sherlock was involved in a free-flowing move down the left side of the field before getting fouled in the penalty area. Colm Hyland stepped up to ram the ball past Carroll. Magennis saw a good left-footed effort saved by Carroll but added to his personal tally in the 81st minute when following up an initial effort from Harney. Both Harney and Aidan Hyland also went close to notching a sixth goal for in-form Willow but the damage had already been well and truly done, and now Willow can look forward to the sixth round. Elsewhere last weekend, St Peter's also celebrated a fine cup victory in the LFA Junior Cup, beating Dublin outfit Sheriff following a penalty shoot-out at McCarthy Park. Willow Park: Ian Bolger; Robbie Shine, Peter Sherlock, Jimmy Mullally, Ronan Frawley, Mark Nicholson, Benny Magennis, Gary McHugh, Colm Hyland, Brian Frawley, Aidan Hyland. Subs: Earl Gaylard for Shine (65 mins), Paul Murphy for B Frawley (65), Michael Harney for C. Hyland (76). Knocklyon: Mike Carroll; Sean Alexander, Ian Hennessy, Mark Kenny, Ian McNamee, Fionn Prendergast, Adam Kiernan, Dean Brock, Sean Gillen, Keith Flynn, Liam Martin. Subs: Killian Cannon for McNamee (76 mins). Referee: Emmet Dynan.