Noel Recruitment Premier Division
Newbridge Hotspurs FC 5 Monasterevin AFC 1
A rain soaked Snigs Brogan Park was the venue today for the Premier Division clash between near neighbours Newbridge Hotspurs and Moansterevin AFC.
It was the home side who started the strongest. After three minutes following a fine passing move between Robbie Higgins, Mikey Murphy and Scott O’Donoghue, the first serious chance fell to Diarmuid Hartley when his flick at the near post was well saved by the the Monasterevin keeper. Just two minutes later, Hotspurs went close again when Eoin McGrath had a chance that went just wide. It was on the 10th minute however when the deadlock was broken when an inch perfect pass from Greg Kelly found Mikey Murphy who composed himself and calmly struck past the keeper, 1-0 to the home side. On the 12th minute, McGrath went close again when a fine team move ended with a pass to him at the far post, McGrath controlled it well but his shot struck the side netting. Hotspurs continued to press for the second and were awarded for their efforts on the 20th minute. It was Evan Aldwell’s majestic pass that found Mikey Murphy in the final third, Murphy took control of the pass and then struck past the keeper to make it 2-0. Monasterevin found their feet and some nice link up play from Stephen McNally and Patryk Staniec with the latter getting some crosses into the box but Hotspurs holding firm and limiting the ever dangerous Danny dee to very little time and space. Midfield of Monasterevin were again trying to carve some openings with Adam o Flaherty and Evan Foley both getting good possession but a resolute performance from the home side was not going to be beaten easily as their custodian Sean Higgins was on point each time to thwart their efforts. In addition, the back four of Hotspurs (Haliti, Doyle, O’Connor and Robbie Higgins) were alert to dangers and showed absolute commitment to the cause. In fact, such commitment was to the fore when Barry Doyle made a brilliantly timed slide tackle with his head! The home side nearly made it 3 just before half time when Eoin McGrath shot just wide. Hotspurs led 2-0 at half time.
The second half started somewhat slower with both sides drawn into a midfield battle. On the 54th minute, Diarmuid Hartley went close with a fine shot that was well saved by the visitor’s keeper. Shane Smith also went close on ths sixieth minute when his header went just over the bar. However five minutes later Hotspurs made it 3-0 when a fantastic Graeme Donoghue pass found Smith who controlled it superbly and made a delicate pass to Evan Aldwell who shot to the bottom corner. Five minutes later Chris Higgins went close when his shot went narrowly wide from a Tom Hennessy pass. On the 76th minute, hotspurs made it 4 when Evan Aldwell made a through pass to Shane Smith who went around the keeper to score. With six minutes remaining Monasterevin got one back with and fine finish from the penalty spot by the impressive Danny Dee. Almost straight away though Hotspurs responded when Ciaran Glynn played a neat pass to Evan Aldwell who subsequently put through Robbie Higgins. Higgins composed himself and shot at goal and although the keeper got his hand to it he wasn’t able to keep it out. This made it 5-1 to the home side. Best for the winners were Sean Higgins, Barry Doyle, Diarmuid Hartley and Jeff Haliti and their man of the match was Evan Aldwell. Best for the visitors were Evan Foley, Danny Dee and Eugene Nolan.