St Peter’s show intent with victory over local rivals Willow
St Peter’s 3 Willow Park 0
By Matt Scally
St Peter’s lightning start to this season’s CCFL Senior Division campaign showed no signs of slowing down at McCarthy Park last Sunday.
Two goals from Dylan Stewart added to Mark Nicholson’s unfortunate own goal saw the home side run out comfortable 3-0 winners in what was a statement win, albeit an early-season one, against last year’s champions.
It’s now four wins from four, 20 goals scored and just the two conceded for new manager Dermot Lennon’s side who had to line out without notable absentees Scott Delaney (hamstring injury), Dylan Gavin (suspended) and Johnny Kiernan (long term ACL) among others.
Willow Park had their issues too and were forced to start without Ryan Gaffey. The Willow captain did come on at half-time but was forced to withdraw once more towards the end with what looked like a nasty achilles injury.
Despite the resounding final scoreline, the first half had in fact been quite even. Peter’s had perhaps shaded it possession-wise but Willow were looking very threatening when they went forward and indeed could have been ahead had Mark Nicholson’s early effort not been ruled out for offside. But Peter’s emerged for the second half with renewed vigour and once they found the first goal, the result was scarcely in doubt.
Early fare was evenly shared, as was most of the first half and it took until the fourth minute for the game’s first shot in anger - a Jordan Carr shot that was easily saved by Shane McEnery.
Willow thought they had the lead on ten minutes when veteran Mark Nicholson stole in around the back of the Peter’s defence before expertly turning the ball past Jimmy Walshe. Nicholson wheeled away in celebration but was stopped short by the linesman’s offside flag.
Five minutes later, a Peter’s goal looked certain when the ball dropped to Stewart in the box but his placed effort was turned away by the outstretched arm of McEnery - a fine save.
With 20 minutes gone, Carr cut in from the left, found some space and sent a shot goalward that looked to have McEnery beaten but the ball clipped the bar and flew over.
On the half hour, both sides will feel they could have scored. Initially Stewart set up Clive Harris for Peter’s but his shot was blocked allowing Willow to break immediately in a move that culminated in a headed chance for Tadhg Heavin but no breakthrough could be found before the turnaround.
St Peter’s looked a different animal in the second half and found the game’s opening goal 15 minutes in. Controlling the ball on his chest, a breathtaking, backheeled flick from Carr set the move in motion. Josh McCarthy drove at the Willow defence before spreading the play wide to Neil Kenny. Kenny sent a tantalising low cross into the danger area where Nicholson was tempted to stick a leg out and turn the ball unluckily into his own net.
The second wasn’t long in arriving. It was just three minutes later, in fact, when the double act of McCarthy and Carr combined again with the latter showing quick feet in the box to nudge the ball into the path of Stewart who made no mistake in driving the ball low to the far corner.
The next 15 minutes were controlled confidently by the home side. Now in a strong position, they were looking very assured both at the back and in possession.
The result was rubber-stamped on 80 minutes and again McCarthy was involved. This time the winger placed substitute Thiago Souza in behind with a neat reverse pass. Souza, with his first touch since coming on, floated the ball over to the unmarked Stewart who killed the ball on his chest, took his time and fired emphatically to the net. It was the final flourish on St Peter’s win.
Willow Park won’t be panicking just yet though. Although second best on Sunday, they are champions for a reason. Davy McGuinness and Jimmy Greene will remember that their side also came from behind to claim last year’s title.
Player of the match: Jordan Carr (St Peter’s). Had a mixed first half but was central to everything good Peter’s did once the game opened up in the second. Assisted Dylan Stewart for his team’s second goal and could easily have grabbed a couple of goals himself. His backheeled flick in the lead up to the game's opener is worthy of a second mention.
Substitute Josh McCarthy had a blinding second half. The winger was involved in all three goals and his link up with Carr down the left was a constant worry for Willow. Dylan Stewart too deserves credit for putting the finishing touches on the Peter’s goals as does winger Neil Kenny, who had an intriguing battle with his brother Cian all afternoon.
For Willow, Shane McEnery had a fine game between the sticks and Tadhg Heavin tried hard at the other end of the pitch.
St Peter’s: Jimmy Walshe, Luke Kelly, Adam Dowling, Sammy Oliveira da Silva, John McCrossan, Cameron Keighery, Dylan Stewart, Clive Harris, Nenad Lazic, Jordan Carr, Neil Kenny. Subs: Josh McCarthy for Kelly (35 mins), Dylan Sumner for McCrossan (77), Thiago Souza for Kenny (77), Habib Sanusi for Stewart (90).
Willow Park: Shane McEnery, Chris Malone, Cian Kenny, Mark Nicholson, Ciaran McGuinness, Jack Curry, Ashbey Joaquin Banwell Bermeo, Alex Rooney, Tadhg Heavin, Nathan Williams, Ryan Carberry. Subs: Ryan Gaffey for Rooney (half-time), Cody Kelly for Carberry (68 mins), Ronan Bergin for Banwell Bermeo (68), Mark O’Connor for Curry (75), Ben Kilkenny for Kenny (75).
Referee: Damien McCormack.