Rearcross 'A' 2 - Blackwater FC 1

Rearcross 'A' came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory against WWEC side Blackwater at Rearcross FC Grounds last Sunday to progress in the FAI Junior Cup. Rearcross did all the early attacking and created plenty of chances but failed to rattle the Blackwater net. Derek O'Toole fired over with a well struck shot after two minutes. Rearcross came close again on six minutes when Shane Lenihan did well on the left flank before sending a low drive invitingly across the goalmouth, however the chance went a begging. It was all Rearcross at this stage and Andy Murphy was in the action three minutes later with a effort that pulled just wide of the target. The Waterford side started to get a foothold at the half wore on and David Cotter found space on the right to shoot right of the post. This was following with a close call from Blackwater's Eamon Walsh with a shot from in front of goal that wasn't far away. Paul Murphy did well to block out the danger when Blackwater threatened again on twenty six minutes. Rearcross got on top again towards the end of the half and Nigel Ryan's shot was on the mark seven minutes before the break, however Gary Ronayne was able to get behind the effort to make the save. The last chance of the half fell to Shane Lenihan in the 43rd minute, however the Blackwater custodian was well positioned to gather.

Rearcross keeper Sean Sheehy was called to the rescue shortly after the re-start with a smart save. James Gough was well positioned in the 54th minute however the ball was cleared following a goalmouth scramble. Rearcross continued to create the majority of the chances and Robert Harrington's half volley pulled away from the target on 61 minutes. The visitors took the lead in the 64th minute when David Cotter got behind the Rearcross defence and prodded to the corner of the net. Rearcross kept battling and Liam Ryan swung in a dangerous cross with thirteen minutes remaining, however the visiting defence closed in to avert the danger. Rearcross grabbed a late late equaliser in the 89th minute when Shane Lenihan advanced on goal and drilled to the back of the net from inside the eighteen yard box. Both sides had chances in the first period of extra time with Derek O'Toole coming close for Rearcross while Eamon Walsh who was Blackwater's best player on the day also booting just over the crossbar. Rearcross got an unlikely winner four minutes in to the second period of extra time when Derek O'Toole's left legged free kick deceived the Blackwater keeper and the ball squirmed over the line at the near post. Rearcross dug deep after this to hold out for a second round tie against TSDL side Kilmanahan United.

 

Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington, Declan O'Toole, Paul Murphy, John Ryan Luke, James Gough, Shane Lenihan, Nigel Ryan, Derek O'Toole, Liam Ryan, Andy Murphy
Subs: Martin McLoughlin for John Ryan Luke(45th minute), Liam O'Toole for Andy Murphy(75th minute), Matthew Ryan Luke for Liam Ryan (81st minute)

 

Blackwater FC: Gary Ronayne, Fran Cotter, Shane Flavin, Alan Landers, David Phelan, Cormac Shalbe, Eamon Walsh, Sean Cotter, David Cotter, David Cullhane, Johnny Watt
Subs: John Radly for David Cotter, Jason Radly for Fran Cotter, Brendan O'Connell for Sean Cotter

 

Referee: David Donnelly