Tone nets winner as Willow knock out St Peter's

LAST season's FAI Junior Cup runners-up St Peter's fell at the first hurdle in this year's competition when local rivals Willow Park eliminated them after another tense derby clash at Willow Park. Although leading 2-1 after 49 minutes thanks to Brian Caldwell's brace of goals, St Peter's were sent crashing from the tournament when Willow hit back strongly through Benny Magennis and, decisively, eventual matchwinner Craig Tone. Willow now progress to face Mullingar Athletic in the next round but St Peter's will no doubt be deeply disappointed to exit the competition following last season's memorable run all the way to the final in Tolka Park. These sides have played out some thrilling tussles in the last couple of years and this tie proved no different as extra-time was required to separate an often gruelling and always gripping affair. Willow enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening minutes, with Benny Magennis carving out a half chance for Aidan Hyland, but he dragged his effort wide under pressure from St Peter's right back Declan Fallon. On six minutes, Michael Collins' free kick, taken close to the left sideline, picked up speed and caused Ian Bolger a moment of panic, but the Willow netminder managed to clear his lines. St Peter's midfield began to get more into the game as the second half wore on and deployed Stephen Mullan in something of a free role, a tactic which proved useful throughout. But it was Willow who struck first blood. On 26 minutes, Magennis forced visiting 'keeper Lukas Goraus into a hurried clearance and the ball fell invitingly to Mark Nicholson just outside the penalty area. The Willow midfielder still had plenty to do but showed good composure and a precise shot to find the bottom corner of the net as Goraus scrambled back across goal. Ronan Frawley, who managed to shrug off a troublesome groin injury to start, was proving immense at the back for Willow, while up the other end Niall Scullion was likewise for the away side. St Peter's were level in the 34th minute. Mark Sherlock got past the challenge of left back Peter Sherlock before pulling the ball back from the endline to Patrick Craughwell, whose scuffed shot fell kindly for Brian Caldwell to tuck home. Six minutes later, Willow almost regained the lead when a brilliantly curled free kick by Nicholson just missed the top corner. St Peter's thought it could be their day when they were awarded a penalty in the 49th minute, Colin Fortune adjudged to have barged Adrian Carberry in the back following a Peter's corner. Caldwell, always reliable in front of goal, stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick to make it 2-1. Willow seemed to wobble somewhat after this and went through a scrappy period. But they quickly regained their composure and levelled matters on 55 minutes. Nicholson poked the ball through to Magennis and the little striker beat Tom Silke to the chase before tidily tucking the ball past Goraus. Craig Tone then struck the side netting after working a neat short corner with Fortune, while up the other end Mullan almost turned a poor clearance by Earl Gaylard into the Willow goal. At this point, the game started to flow from end to end, although it was widely acknowledged by most observers that both sides are probably capable of playing better football. Aidan Hyland carved out a half-chance for Magennis but he miskicked from the edge of the box, before Caldwell's header was deflected wide for a corner. Ronan Frawley's afternoon was cut short on 66 minutes when he eventually had to give way to his groin injury. Willow had a more than capable substitute on hand, though, as Robert Shine was introduced. On 76 minutes, Shine had to clear the danger when Mullan almost forced home a loose ball in the Willow area. The game was heading for extra-time when Willow substitute Colm Hyland tore down the right wing but his pinpoint cross was headed over by Tone. The game took an unexpected turn in the final minute of normal time when Stephen Mullan was sent off for a poor tackle on Peter Sherlock. And Willow soon capitalised when scoring the decisive goal on 93 minutes. Colm Hyland supplied a perfect corner kick from the left and Tone powered home a header from eight yards. St Peter's pushed Tom Silke into an emergency forward role but it did little to help their cause. In fact, Willow could have stretched their lead on a couple of occasions but Tone was denied by Goraus. The home side also had a strong penalty appeal in the 104th minute when Alan Kelly appeared to trip Aidan Hyland, but referee Columba McDermott waved play on. Willow had strong defensive displays from right back Jimmy Mullally and Ronan Frawley, while the experience of Colin Fortune helped at stages in midfield. The home side's forward pairing of Craig Tone and Benny Magennis also take many of the plaudits for their contributions. For St Peter's, Niall Scullion was brave and totally wholehearted in defence, where Declan Fallon also produced a fine effort marking the dangerous Aidan Hyland, while Stephen Mullan was a constant menace to the home side before his disappointing sending off. WILLOW PARK: Ian Bolger; Jimmy Mullally, Peter Sherlock, Ronan Frawley, Earl Gaylard, Colin Fortune, Mark Nicholson, Gary McHugh, Craig Tone, Benny Magennis, Aidan Hyland. Subs: Robert Shine for Frawley (66 mins), Colm Hyland for Nicholson (85), Michael Harney for Magennis (101). ST PETER'S: Lukas Goraus; Declan Fallon, Adrian Carberry, Niall Scullion, Tom Silke, Patrick Craughwell, Stephen Mullan, Damien Rushe, Mark Sherlock, Brian Caldwell, Michael Collins. Subs: Alan Kelly for Sherlock (90 mins), Dave Donohoe for Caldwell (96). Referee: Columba McDermott.