St Mary’s FC 4-2 Aquinas FC
St Mary’s put last week’s disappointing cup exit to Rosario firmly behind them with a league victory against Aquinas at Hydebank on Saturday.
The St Mary’s team sheet was along familiar lines with Eoin Lundy retaining a starting berth following his goal scoring exploits from the previous week however, it took both teams a while to find their feet in this encounter and with both defences well on top early on, chances at either end were at a premium.
But it was like waiting for a bus on the Antrim Road, in that you wait for twenty minutes and nothing arrives but then three come along at once. Eoin O’Reilly opened the scoring for St Mary’s picking up on a poor defensive clearance to score and then almost from the kick off, Matthew Shannon made a terrific break down the left and his cross was met on the volley by Mark Davey to increase St Marys’ lead. Barely a minute later O’Reilly picked up on a Patrick Ross long ball to register his eighteenth goal of the season.
Aquinas batted back and remained still very much in the tie with an excellent finish beyond Breen to reduce the deficit and St Mary’s had Aidan Begley to thank with a super goal line clearance to preserve their lead as the half time break approached.
St Mary’s came out all guns blazing in the second half as Matthew Shannon forced the Aquinas net-minder into a good save down low and Conor Bannon very nearly deceived the keeper with a cheeky back heel but Aquinas also came close with a rasping effort crashing off the post with Oliver Breen beaten.
On the fifty minute mark, Aquinas did grab a lifeline however, when their striker curled home a free kick from the edge of the box to ensure a nervy finish for St Mary’s.
But the St Mary’s defence of Oisin Donaghy, Aidan Begley, Cormac Morgan and Patrick Ross were in no mood to surrender their lead easily and had the added protection of Oliver Breen mopping up any loose balls played in behind.
As the game entered the final minutes, some super defensive play from Eoin McNicholl ended with hot-shot Matthew Shannon firing home for St Mary’s to seal the win.
Man of the match – Patrick Ross (St Mary’s)
