| United will consider themselves disappointed not to have got a share of the points at Oriel Park last Tuesday night in what was an excellent advertisement for the Airtricity under 20 league. United playing their third under 20 fixture in eight days started the brighter playing some great one touch passing football that unsettled the home team. The midfield trio of David Masterson, Kevin Morris and man of the match Enda Hessin took the game to Dundalk with the best of the early chances falling to Philip Donnelly who created some space on the edge of the box before forcing a fine save off the Dundalk keeper. Dundalk struggled to create much possession early on tending to play a more direct game but the best chance of the game fell to the home team when Johnny Breen picked up the ball in midfield, advanced forward and fired a great shot that hit the inside of the post and bounced across the six yard box and out to safety. Monaghan immediately replied when Kevin Morris picked up the ball some 30 yards out and unleashed a wonder strike that beat keeper Michael Cooney before smashing against the underneath of the crossbar. Dundalk took the lead on 25 minutes when Johnny Breen played a great pass through the Monaghan back four for Mark Griffin to run onto as he cut in from the right to calmly slot home past Finian Farrelly. Five minutes later Dundalk doubled their lead when Gary Clarke was the quickest to react to a loose ball and then advanced into the penalty area and chip the advancing Finian Farrelly. The Monaghan heads didn’t go down and on 35 minutes pulled a goal back from a corner. Stephen O'Connor got on the end of the corner from the right and fired a shot that was originally blocked but the young Cootehill Harps player capped a great performance when he reacted quickest to the rebound and fired an unstoppable shot to make the score 2 v 1. Monaghan had chances late on in the first half to get an equaliser through Leigh Dunne and Philip Donnelley that were both well saved. The second half was a more even affair with united still having the slightly better possession but Dundalk carrying the biggest threat to either goal. The introduction of Glen Traynor and his pace troubled the United defence but the best chance of the second half fell to Philip Donnelly who picked up the ball some 25 yards out from goal, beat two players before hammering his effort against the upright with the Dundalk keeper well beaten. United introduced Daniel Majola, Darren McCabe and Ryan Johnston late on and all made good contributions to a fine match. Glen Traynor had two close efforts late on to extend Dundalk lead and two late Monaghan corners caused some panic in the home teams penalty area. Man of the Match.: Enda Hessin (Cootehill Harps) SQUAD: Leigh Dunne (Ballyhaise Celtic), Daniel Majola (Ballyjamesduff Celtic), Lorcan Kwan (Carrick Rovers), Kevin Morris (Cavan Town), David Masterson (Clones Town), Enda Hessin, Stephen O'Connor (Cootehill Harps), Reece McEnteer, Finian Farrelly, Darren McCabe (Kingscourt Harps), Dean McMahon, Philip Donnelly, James Clarke, Darren Coleman (Monaghan United), Ryan Johnston |
Tuesday, 17 August 2010 16:46