Late Villa goal a major blow to St Peter's title hopes
St Peter's 1 Temple Villa 1
By John Dingle
St Peter's hopes of retaining the CCFL Senior Division title were given a major dent as Temple Villa struck for a late equaliser last night (Wednesday).
While Coolraine previously had a mathematical chance of succeeding, it now comes down to a two-horse race between the big two in Athlone, with Willow Park hoping to bring the trophy back across the river Shannon.
Both teams had home advantage last Wednesday evening as St Peter's entertained Temple Villa at McCarthy Park in the earlier kick-off. Willow proceeded to defeat Mullingar Athletic on the same night which means this was a costly slip-up by St Peter's.
There was little at stake for Villa whose challenge for honours has faded in recent weeks. A top four finish was the best they could achieve but local pride was to the forefront. There was certainly a late twist to proceedings as the visitors earned a point with an equaliser from Benny Magennis deep into stoppage time.
St Peter's earned the first corner kick after four minutes with Dylan Gavin shooting over soon afterwards. Villa had their first chance after 11 minutes. Aaron O’Neill had a shot cleared by Niall Scullion with Neill Macken's follow up attempt saved by Darcy Lawless. Gary Kelly fired over from the left for Peter's and as a lively game continued, Villa's Cian Molloy then had a free kick tipped over for a corner.
The crucial breakthrough came midway through the half when Mark McConnell’s men opened the scoring. Gavin was denied by Villa keeper Paul Bannon but as the visitors' defence tried to clear the danger, Cameron Keighery took advantage of the hesitancy to fire the loose ball to the net.
Boosted by the lead, the home side then proceeded to dominate up to the half-time break. Keighery had a shot parried by Bannon and was then being denied by the woodwork when his strike crashed off the bar. A second goal would have put the home team in a prime position.
Gary Kelly fired over from the left while last action of the half saw Villa's Macken inches away from forcing home a right wing cross. Villas recent record against St Peter's had been poor and it looked like there was little improvement for them on that front.
The second half resumed with the home team on the attack as Gavin shot over from close range, but Villa should have got back on level terms with just three minutes played. Macken set up the unmarked Nazar Zubkov who chipped the ball over Lawless but against the bar with Scullion then clearing a follow-up attempt.
The early action continued with Gary Kelly shooting off the Villa keeper but the lively restart soon faded. Macken was off target with another attempt for Villa while four more corners were earned at the other end for St Peter's with Gavin wide with a shot.
The hosts were still hanging onto their slender advantage but had another chance to double their lead with five minutes remaining. Keighery took aim but Bannon pulled off a fine save as he tipped the ball over with another corner quickly following.
The Hoops appeared to have done just enough to claim all three points as the game headed beyond the 90 minutes and into stoppage time. There was late drama to follow though as Villa struck for an equaliser in the fourth additional minute.
The home team was caught out in defence as Villa launched a final attack. The ball bounced around a crowded penalty area and in the only bit of space that was available, Benny Magennis took the ball down and fired past the keeper's left from close range.
The celebrations were massive as if the title had been won, but proved costly for the goal scorer as, after taking off his shirt, he was shown a second yellow card with Villa down to ten men for the last couple of minutes.
The stoppage time eventually stretched to nearly six minutes but the drama had ended by this stage as St Peter's grip on the league title looks to have slipped. The Hoops still have a game in hand on Willow Park but the destiny of the title is now out of their hands. A recent run of poor results has seen them relinquish both the Paddy Cotter and Counties Cup as the dreams of another treble faded fast.
Willow are now five points clear with a game left to play - away to Mountmellick United on Sunday week. A win in that final outing will see them crowned champions, while should St Peter's slip up again at home to Coolraine on Sunday, Willow may not need any more points
St Peter's: Darcy Lawless, Sean Cloherty, Adam Dowling, Nenad Lazic, Dylan Sumner, Niall Scullion, Kevin Daly, Gary Kelly, Dylan Gavin, Luke Kelly, Cameron Keighery. Subs: Josh McCarthy for Daly (73 mins); John McCrossan and Cormac Hannon for Dowling and L Kelly (80); Sam DaSilva for Scullion (84); Marko Matkovic for G Kelly (87).
Temple Villa: Paul Bannon, Dean O’Neill, Ben Moran, Neill Macken, Nazar Zubkov, Aaron O’Neill, Kieran McNally, Cian Fallon, Benny Magennis, Mark Gannon, Cian Molloy. Subs: Darren Nugent for Zubkov (75 mins); Damien Rushe for A O’Neill (80); Shane O’Neill for McNally (90).
Referee: Ross Cole (Longford).