Westport get the better of new ross celtic in fai junior cup
Your classic winter cup tie - the wind prevalent, the pitch heavy and the ability to battle and grind almost as important as talent, writes Nigel Naughton.
Westport United, 5-2 winners against New Ross Celtic in the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday, have more often that not been coming out on top in these type of games for the best part of a decade now. Not only do they possess the ability to out-play teams, but they also have a unique ability to out-fight and out-craft teams on days like this.
They did not have it all their own way though. Twice they came from behind, but in the end nobody could argue that the better side were victorious on the day. New Ross threatened on the break but once they lost their dangerous left-winger Ethan Butler through injury midway through the second half, their main avenue of attack subsided.
Playing against a strong breeze in the first half didn’t hinder Westport as they started the game strongly, dominating territory and possession. David Cameron was his usual busy self in midfield, and 90 seconds in his cross into the corridor of uncertainty was turned away by Steve O’Leary as it looked like Phil Keegan would score.
New Ross had their own little maestro in midfield - Alan Rhodes - who was very tidy and competent on the ball, but eventually Cameron and Danny Scahill began to dominate in there.
Westport again threatened after 20 minutes, Darren Browne’s clip over the top setting David Hoban away. The usually lethal marksman rounded the ‘keeper only to hit the side-netting as he shot off balance.
New Ross, who had St. Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Greg Bolger on their coaching staff, had rare forays forward. On one such occasion, Eoin Rhodes had a goal disallowed. The correct decision was made, however, as he had strayed two yards offside.
Keegan had a decent chance well saved by Kevin Grangel, while Martin Geraghty headed over from another Cameron delivery.
Just as it seemed it would be scoreless at the break, disaster struck for the hosts. The lively Butler got to the byline and his cut back evaded everyone before falling to marauding right-full Gary O’Connor, whose left-footed strike found its way to the back of the net. Perhaps not what they deserved, but the Wexford side went in 1-0 up.
Johnny Leager almost doubled the New Ross advantage within four minutes of the restart - Gary Cunningham had to be alert to tip the diminutive forward’s strike around the post.
Westport then began to really exert their dominance, using their power and experience to pin New Ross in and get the ball forward at every opportunity. Pat Fitzgerald struck the post from 25 yards, while Hoban was inches away when his header sailed just wide.
Then, with 25 minutes remaining, David Cameron whipped in a dangerous ball from the left and from where this correspondent was stood, it looked like Hoban got a slight touch before it found its way into the net. However, people closer to the play said Cameron’s delivery flew straight in without a touch. Either way, Westport were level.
The large crowd expected Westport to push on even further. That they did, but in doing so they left themselves open and New Ross punished them with another counterattack. Once again Gary O’Connor bombed forward, Alan Rhodes found him, and despite the best efforts of Cunningham, O’Connor’s strike had enough power to eventually roll into the net.
The lead lasted just two minutes though. Danny Scahill set Phil Keegan away and he was tripped by Grangel, leaving referee Damien McGrath with no option but to point to the spot. Scahill calmly finished to the bottom right to make it 2-2 with 15 minutes remaining.
With Butler off the field and little outlet going forward, New Ross were left defending for their lives. Eventually, Westport’s relentlessness paid off. First, Hoban bundled home a Phil Keegan cross to put his side ahead for the first time.
Three minutes later the tie was sealed when Cameron’s cross was spilled by Grangel and Martin Geraghty reacted quickest to poke home from close range. Then, in the dying stages, Scahill struck the final nail in the coffin, heading home for his second goal from a delivery by guess who? Yes, David Cameron again.
Star rating
David Purcell was excellent at the heart of the New Ross back four, while David Cameron was tormentor in chief once again. However, for his two goals, his clever distribution and intelligence in breaking up play, Danny Scahill gets the nod.
Save of the match
Two minutes before New Ross took the lead, Gary Cunningham had to be at his best to get across the goal and tip Alan Rhodes' deflected effort wide.
Move of the match
Westport put together a quality passage of play seven minutes into the second half. Numerous passes were made before Phil Keegan produced a fantastic cross from the right, only for David Hoban to see his header flash just wide. It would have been a breathtaking goal.
What next?
Westport are next in action away to Straide & Foxford United in the Connaught Cup on Sunday before they face Freebooters from Kilkenny at home in the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup.
Teams
Westport United: G. Cunningham, S. Tagg, C. Cameron, J. Lawless, M. Geraghty, D. Cameron, P. Keegan, D. Scahill, D. Hoban, D. Browne, P. Fitzgerald. Sub used: P. Moran.
New Ross Celtic: K. Grangel, G. O'Connor, S. O'Leary, C. Ledgel, D. Purcell, B. Duffy, A. Rhodes, S. Cureton, E. Butler, J. Leager, E. Rhodes. Subs used: D. Roche, C. O'Brien, C. Purcell.
Referee
Damien McGrath (Inver).