KDFL Senior Division
Rathangan AFC 2 Arlington FC 0
Rathangan hosted Arlington in Canal Road on a scorching hot Sunday morning, with a good crowd in attendance for Rathangan's final home league game of the season.
Hoping to continue their good run of form, Rathangan started with good intensity and looked to press Arlington when in possession. While both teams tried to seize the initiative, Arlington's overload in midfield prevented Rathangan from getting the ball down to play their passing game, forcing them to go long and allowing Arlington to control the majority of the opening period and were unlucky when James Harberlins shot just wide after ten minutes.
Rathangan then started to stretch the play with wingers Horgan and Conway looking to run at the Arlington full backs and while a number of poor touches and misplaced passes throughout resulted in possession being turned over to Arlington, the midfield three of Jim Brennan and Doyle brothers, Arun and Iain, worked hard to successfully win it back. Davy Tyrrell started in goal for Rathangan, playing behind an unchanged back 4, looking to keep a clean sheet after the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser during the week. The centre back pairing of Scanlon and Kearns, were impressive in dealing with any balls coming their way, while Nathan Cullen in left back started to grow in to the game after a nervy start.
The deadlock was broken when Rathangan's right back Ciaran Behan strode forward with the ball and played a sensational through pass to Iain Doyle who, despite the calls for offside, took it in his stride and forced the Arlington keeper to come out before playing it across to top goalscorer Lee Moore for a tap in. Rathangan held it tight for the remainder of the half and went in 1-0 at the whistle.
Rathangan came out in the second half with a renewed confidence and started to dominate possession, keeping the ball for longer periods and moving it around with more control and intent. Ciaran Behan continued to impress with both his attacking and defensive play from right back. However, Arlington’s Robbie McNeil then started picking up the ball and driving though the middle, showing some good footwork and drawing in a number of fouls. Arlington's set pieces were delivered with quality and only a brave headed clearance on the line from Jamie Kearns prevented them from getting the equaliser through Phelim O Kane. Rathangan continued to push for their second and if not for some tight offside calls, Lee Moore would have surely added to his impressive season tally.
As both sets of players started to tire in the relentless heat, Rathangan brought on fresh legs. Keith Scanlon, who has had to battled back from injury, had a great chance to score but seen his shot go wide of the near post. With the game coming to an end, Doyle swung in a great corner from the left which was met by the head of Keith Scanlon and hit the back of the Arlington net to make it 2-0. Rathangan saw the same out to took a well deserved three points, putting them in a strong position to move up the table with only a few games remaining.
Best for Rathangan was Jamie Kearns (CB), Arun Doyle (CM), and Player of the Match was Ciaran Behan (RB). Best for Arlington was Phelim O Kane.
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