Match Results & Reports

Rearcross 3 - Clapham Celtic 1

Rearcross emerged from this encounter with a 3-1 victory to avenge two previous away defeats to the London side in 1995 & 1997, Rearcross were slow to settle despite the wind advantage as the visitors tore in to the game from kick off, Clapham's first attack produced a good effort which struck the side netting, slack marking by Rearcross should have proved more costly two minutes later as Mike Nolan got through the middle, however Oliver Kennedy came off his line and made the save at the expense of a corner kick. Rearcross got to grips as the game progressed and set up a good move when a John Ryan Luke free kick released Derek O'Toole on the left, the ball fell to Paul Murphy who hit a first time effort that was superbly saved by the on loan Eamon O'Toole. A well timed tackle from John Ryan Luke in the 9th minute saw possession fall to Derek O'Toole who advanced up the left flank and struck a left legged effort that lacked accuracy. Emmet Steed's shot was blocked down by a determined Celtic rearguard on 17 minutes, Rearcross had clawed their way back in to the game at this stage despite Pat Quirke's dominance in the middle of the field. Joey Nolan's corner kick in the 19th minute was surely a missed opportunity as the ball floated across the goalmouth and out to safety when all was needed was a deft touch. Rearcross went ahead in the 22nd minute when good play on the left saw an in swinging ball find Joey Nolan who smashed the ball past Eamon O'Toole. Clapham Celtic reacted with Steve Fairbrass raiding up the left and was unlucky when his through ball to Spensor Nolan took a deflection. Eamon O'Toole kept the scoreline intact in the 25th minute when he advanced and narrowed the angle to thwart Derek O'Toole's opportunity. Clapham strung a fine move together from the resulting kick out when Pat Quirke combined with Dave Murray who released Mike Nolan, however the resulting shot was wide of the target. Rearcross were denied a two nil lead just before half time when Paul Murphy's attempt was over the bar. The visitors took control at the start of the second half with Mike Nolan getting through the Rearcross back line, however the ball didn't fall to kindly and the chance was gone until a minute later when Martin McLoughlin lost his footing and took down a Celtic player in the process, Dave Murray didn't need to be asked twice as his rifled the resulting spot kick past Oliver Kennedy. Rearcross fearing a third successive defeat to the Londoners upped the tempo and James Nolan set up Mikey Carey seven minutes in to the half, however Eamon O'Toole was wise to the situation and averted the danger, a similiar move minutes later saw James Nolan put the ball in over the top to Mikey Carey who lofted the ball to the net to put Rearcross ahead for the second time. Mikey Carey threatened again midway through the half only for the Celtic keeper to reflex and make the save. Rearcross were well on top at this stage and should have put the game beyond the visitors, Joey Nolan should have done better in the 50th minute when his effort pulled to the left of the upright. Clapham kep plugging away and were being well served in the midfield sector by Corkonian Pat Quirke. Dave Murray made room for Spensor Nolan out on the left who set up Pat Quirke, however the chance was neutralised after the Rearcross backline closed in. Rearcross were now paying the price missed chances as the London side backboned by the Nolan clan attacked in droves and were lucky to survive a goalmouth skirmish when attempts from Patrick Nolan and Gavin McDaid were kept out thanks to some staunch defending, the visitors then won two successive corners and it was a break from the latter of these that saw Rearcross seal the victory when Liam O'Toole finished to the net from inside the six yard box after a goal mouth scramble.


Rearcross Panel: Oliver Kennedy, Declan O'Toole, Shane Reynolds, Martin McLoughlin, John Ryan Luke, Emmet Steed, Liam Nolan(B), Liam O'Toole, Derek O'Toole, James Nolan, Theo English, Michael Carey

Clapham Celtic Panel: Eamon O'Toole. John Gilroy, Steve Fairbrass, Dave Kilgannon, Parick Nolan, Pat Quirke, Mike Nolan, Mick Burke, Dave Murray, Spenser Nolan, Paul Gannon, Gavin McDaid, Joe Nolan, Pat Flaherty.

Referee: Jim Lees

 

 

 

 

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