This was the lads first National Cup and although they are improving with every game the pressure was on to deliver their first compedative win of the season against an unknown quantity in Broadford Utd.
1st Half: The Park started with true grit and determination and were unlucky no to be in front within 5 mins with two good chances from Mervyn to be denied by the keeper. It was all Park with Broadford’s main danger man No. 9 being well marshalled by Junior in centre back, you could sense a goal was enevitable and Rhys duly delivered with 11 mins in, a pinpoint pass from Mervyn to Rhys on left wing who took the ball through on goal and smashed it home, 1-0 up and things looked bright, the Park lads were passing & moving the ball well in all sectors of the pitch and it got even brighter when mervyn latched on to a poor kick out and unchallenged beat the keeper at the near post, 2-0. A bit of sloppy play at the back let Broadford back into the game 2-1. Credit to the lads they kept to their game plan, they were dominating in midfield & attack, more goals were on the cards this time it was colin who took the ball down from a throw on the left by Rhys, beat 4 defenders and chipped the keeper from the nearpost into the roof of the net, a super individual goal. Mervyn was making great runs through the middle but couldn’t manage to beat the offside trap.
Finally right on the stroke, his chance came, a lovely pass from Junior over the top found Mervyn on side and in space and he duly oblidged firing the ball to the roof of the net to in 4-1 up at the break.
2nd Half: play resumed as it did in the 1st half with the park dominating in mid field and attack with loads of chances from Rhys, Eoin, Nathan and Colin but they all managed to be saved or slide by the post. Broadford hit back early in the half to make it 4-2 and put the lads under a lot of pressure but again credit to the lads they kept plugging away and finally the breakthrough came, a fantastic through ball from Colin was buried in the top corner by Nathan who deserved a goal for all his hard work on the right wing. Minutes later Broadford scored from the penalty spot to make it 5-3 which kept the tie interesting going into the final quarter. Conor came into the game for Eoin and with fresh legs livened up the attack and within 5 mins his name was on the score sheet,
smashing the ball home from a rebound shot by Nathan, 6-3 up and the tie was all but over but the travelling team were looking for a consolation goal and through great pressure and silly play by the Park in defense, Broadford got their 2nd penalty of the game. Devon who came on for Gavin just prior to that stood up well in goals and made a fine save. The final whistle and the players celebrated their 1st win of the season.
A great solid performance in which we dominated from start to finish with all players giving 100%,
Well done lads!!!
Squad on the Day: Gavin Doody, Devon Burns, Junior Ankomah, Cian Purcell, Greg Scanlon, Richard O’ Gara, Colin Walsh, Mervyn Shalemba, Tide Uisinubi, Darragh Moriarty, Liam Tobin, Rhys Keane, Conor O’ Sullivan, Nathan Gleeson, Eoin Higgins, Andrew Sucaci.
Best on the Day: Cian Purcell, Darragh Moriarty, Junior Ankomah, Nathan Gleeson, Colin Walsh
Man of the Match: Rhys Keane, worked tirelessly through out game, great runs up left wing, tracked back well and scored a fine goal
Training : Every Wednesdays 6.30 – 7.30pm & Fridays 5.30 – 6.30pm
