Mervue United 0 - 1 Monaghan United
Credit:
Roddy Collins’ men reached the top of the Airtricty League First Division table at Fahy’s Field on Friday night, with a hard fought one nil victory at Fahy’s Field.
The game began ominously for the home side, with their influential central midfielder John Mountney forced off through injury after only four minutes. Monaghan had the better of the opening exchanges, with the impressive Jordan Keegan coming close from close range only to see his shot well saved by Brian O’ Donoghue.
Keith Quinn was next to come close for the visitors, with a close range effort flying narrowly over, following good work from Sean Brennan. Jason Molloy had Mervue’s first decent chance on the half hour mark, forcing Gabriel Sava into a smart save.
The best chance of the first half fell to Brennan, who after being teed up by Keegan, only managed to fire his shot straight at O’Donoghue.
The second half began with a similar pattern to the first half, with Monaghan essentially dictating possession and creating half chances. On the hour mark Brennan found himself with just the keeper to beat, but side-footed narrowly wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.
Mervue responded with their best spell of the game, with a period of pressure which was unfortunate not to result in some sort of reward. After seventy minutes Etanda Nkololo produced some fantastic footwork to release the industrious Pat Hoban, whose shot was well saved by Sava.
This period saw Mervue dictating possession, and it appeared as if the home side was now controlling the game comfortably. This was the case when Molloy squandered a decent opportunity with only five minutes to go, having been put through from a long punt from the home keeper.
The home side would live to rue their missed opportunities in the 88th minute, when Ryan Brennan managed to head home a fantastic Michael Isichei cross, against the run of play. Mervue responded by piling the pressure on the visiting defence, who managed somehow to keep a clean sheet, despite a late onslaught from the home side.
Mervue captain Alex Lee fired high over the crossbar in the 90th minute when the ball fell to him in front of the Monaghan goal following a corner kick and David O’Brien forced another corner in the 94th minute which was somehow cleared off the line by Jason Marks as Nkololo’s shot from six yards looked destined for the net.
In the end those missed opportunities proved costly for the home side, with two glorious opportunities spurned in front of the visitor’s goal as another late late goal denied them a point.
Referee Darren Coombes blew the whistle on the ninety fourth minute, to the delight of the visiting supporters, and to the dismay of the home side that deserved some reward for a dominant second half performance.
Mervue United: Brian O Donoghue, David O Brien, Kenny Farrell, James Casserly, Mike Elwood, John Montney (Noel Varley ’4),Alex Lee, Barry McEntee, Jason Molloy (Mark Ludden ’92),Pat Hoban, Etanda Nkololo
Subs Not Used: Andrew Daniel, Brian Connolly,Ger Hanley.
Booked: Pat Hoban ’40, Mike Elwood ’54, David O’Brien ’82, James Casserly ‘89
Monaghan United: Gabriel Silva, Aiden Collins, Jason Marks, William McDonagh, Alan Byrne, Keith Quinn (Eric Foley 58’),John Reilly, Ryan Brennan, Declan O Brien (David Byrne 58’) Jordan Keegan (Michael Isichei ‘81).
Subs not used: Paul Byrne, Paul Whelan, Mark Grace, Jake Rossiter
Booked: Aiden Collins ’78.
Referee: Darren Coombes (Kildare)
Man of the Match: Etanda Nkololo (Mervue)
Attendance: 308
