PHOTOS:
Goalmouth action at Phoenix Park
Rhys Dalling goes on the attack for Goodwick
Goodwick United 1 - Pennar Robins 0
An own goal just a minute before half time gave Goodwick all three points to maintain their second place in the table at the expense of a battling Pennar Robins side which played far better than its tenth place in the section table might suggest.
The Phoenix Park Lads had the better of the exchanges prior to Jordan Griffiths’ shot which took a huge deflection off the body of unfortunate Robins’ defender Jamie Price and completely wrong footed keeper Stuart James before it dribbled into the net.
To make matters worse for Pennar coaches Chris Lowe and Dean Driscoll, their defence had looked reasonably compact, with Price playing well alongside Paul Sly, Gareth Lewis and Jake Clarke, whilst James had made a superb reflex save to tip Rhys Dalling’s volley over the bar and held on to a low Chris O’Sullivan drive.
Dalling also thundered a left-footer against the cross-bar and home coach Nigel Delaney would rightly point out that his team deserved to be in front at half time.
Few chances after half time
There were half chances for both teams after the interval as Patrick McDonagh tried a couple of long-range drives for the Robins which James Gwilt dealt with, whilst Dalling and Rob Morgan posed a constant threat for Goodwick, supported by O’Sullivan, O’Brien and Johnny Horgan.
But in the final analysis there were no more goals and staking claims for the man of the match was Goodwick’s young central defender Scott Delaney, who was joined by Anthony Couzens, Wane O’Sullivan and Steff Hayes in helping to ensure that the only undefeated team in the first division kept a clean sheet!
Goodwick United: James Gwilt: Anthony Couzens; Scott Delaney; Wayne O’Sullivan; Steffan Hayes; Chris O’Sullivan; Jordan Griffiths; Kieran O’Brien; Rob Morgan; Johnny Horgan; Rhys Dalling. Sub: Nigel Delaney
Pennar Robins: Stuart James: Paul Sly; Jamie Price; Gareth Lewis; Jake Clarke; Adam Gale; Mikey Powell; Chris Bourne; Jamie Groves; Michael Murray; Patrick McDonagh. Subs: Craig Bendall; William Lawrence; Chris Lloyd.
Referee: Helmut Reinhardt