Willow earn title lifeline with win over local rivals

CCFL Senior Division: Willow Park 3 St Peter’s 2

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Willow Park kept their CCFL Senior Division title hopes alive after securing a win over arch-rivals St Peter’s at McCarthy Park on Wednesday evening of last week.

If St Peter’s had got something from the game, even a draw, they had one hand on the league trophy. But with Willow Park winning, now it’s all to play for again.

Since this fixture was played, St Peter's drew 2-2 away to Mullingar Athletic, which means they are now three points behind Willow with one game in hand.

The game started at the same time as the rain started and it was continuous for most of the game. It made conditions difficult on a soft ground like McCarthy Park. But both teams threw themselves into the contest from the off and produced a competitive and entertaining game.

St Peter’s forced the first corner of the game, down the right flank. The resultant corner from Luke Kelly hit the post and rebounded back into play. It was obvious from the kick-off that both sides came for the win.

It was Willow that produced the first shot of the game and it was struck by Nathan Williams. His shot took a horrific deflection and ended up in the St Peter’s net past Darcy Lawless in goal. The start of the game was played at full speed and the first goal arrived just five minutes into the action.

St Peter’s were wounded and they responded. They attacked relentlessly with former Charlton Athletic academy player Dylan Gavin looking sharp. They were threatening and looked the more likely to score next.

After bombardment of the Willow goalmouth, Gary Kelly went on a run, he was fouled inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Gavin took the spot kick, blasting the ball into the corner of the net and giving Shane McEnery in goal no chance. The sides were level 1-1 in the 15th minute.

Continued pressure from St Peter’s paid off. After a series of corners, a cross into the box by Adam Dowling allowed Cameron Keighery to get a touch and the ball beat McEnery for the Hoops’ second goal. St Peter’s were 2-1 in the ascendancy at half-time and the men from the west side of Athlone just about deserved it.

As the rain continued to pour down, two drenched sides kicked off the second half. Ryan Gaffey soon forced a corner and though nothing came of it, it was the start of a half where Gaffey was the key player.

Willow Park seemed that bit more determined in the second half; they looked like a side that needed to win more. After a number of corners, throw-ins and plenty of committed challenges from both sides, Willow finally levelled up the game.

They earned a long range free kick near the sideline, but Gaffey’s ferocious left foot delivered a curling piledriver which went all the way to the net. The sides were again level, 2-2, in the 78th minute with all to play for.

Into the last quarter, Willow were still that bit more aggressive, showing more urgency in their play, in greater need of a win. They forced another free kick and, with that man Gaffey standing over the ball, surely he wouldn’t go for it again as he was even further out this time? Gaffey expertly swung in the kick to the far post where centre-back Ciaran McGuinness placed a header back across the keeper went into the net. The visitors were in the lead for the second time, and at a crucial time in the game.

St Peter’s never gave up and they pushed for an equaliser. Good crosses were sent into the box by substitute Josh McCarthy, Luke Kelly, Clive Harris and Nenad Lazic, looking for the head of Gavin, but each time Willow dealt with the threats. The east Athlone side held on for the win to raucous cheers as they claimed a crucial three points.

Despite a very soft surface and the almost continuous rain, both teams performed well and there was some quality play on the evening. Dylan Gavin's ability and know-how up top could have led to more goals for St Peter’s. One of his attempts was hit so hard that if it had gone under instead of over the bar, it would have ripped the net. Ryan Gaffey also had another effort from halfway that just skimmed the top of the bar with Darcy Lawless stranded on the edge of his box.

Player of the match: Ryan Gaffey (Willow Park). If St Peter's had held out for a draw, then Dylan Gavin would have been chosen for the accolade. The former League of Ireland player brought others into play and he was a constant goal threat. But Gaffey’s second-half display was the reason Willow won the game. One of his free kicks went all the way into the Peter's net goal, and another was left on the head of Ciaran McGuinness to score at the back post.

Willow Park: Shane McEnery, Chris Malone, Darren Kenny, Mark O’Connor, Ciaran McGuinness, Mark Nicholson, Neil Kenny, Nathan Williams, Ronan Bergin, Ryan Gaffey, Dylan Frawley. Sub used: Declan Fallon.

St Peter’s: Darcy Lawless, Seán Cloherty, Adam Dowling, John McCrossan, Dylan Sumner, Luke Kelly, Cameron Keighery, Nenad Lazic, Dylan Gavin, Clive Harris, Gary Kelly. Subs used: Niall Scullion, Josh McCarthy, Samuel Da Silva, Ryan Carberry and Cormac Hannon.

Referee: Jason Merrigan.