CONNAUGHT SENIOR LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP

Connaught Telegraph

Soccer News 11 December 1996


Straide & Foxford's remarkable unbeaten run ends

Salthill Devon - 1 Straide & Foxford United - 0

Straide & Foxford United's 26-match unbeaten run in the Connaught Senior League has come to an end. The side's defeat at the hands of Salthill Devon at Galway on Sunday represented only their fourth defeat in 44 games since joining the league in 1994.

The remarkable sequence of results is unprecedented in the history of the league and is unlikely to be repeated. United's last defeat in the league was in the 1994/95 season when they experienced three setbacks before going on to win the title, at the first attempt, following a play-off against Castlebar Celtic.

Like all good runs, they all come to an end at one time or another. Straide & Foxford were disappointed by the way it happened against Salthill after dominating the game for long periods.

Without exaggeration, they had over eighty per cent of possession, but were unable to take advantage because of a lack of firepower in attack.

Johnny Jordan's rich vein of scoring form has suddenly dried up. A player who could not stop scoring goals at the beginning of the campaign has now found himself the target of tight marking.

A goal in the seventh minute by Salthill striker Martin O'Connell proved the game's decisive stroke. The unmarked O'Connell headed the ball cleanly into the net following a clinical delivery from the right.

Straide & Foxford responded with grit and determination. But they found Salthill goalkeeper Mark Cobey, the former Galway Hibs custodian, in outstanding form.

Johnny Jordan and Liam McHale were making headway in attack, but their finishing was far from the highest quality. McHale blazed the ball wide from five yards while Jordan had strong claims for a penalty kick over-ruled.

LITTLE ADVANTAGE

The Salthill defence were also forced into a succession of goal-line clearances following a series of corner-kicks. The second half saw more of the same with Salthill on the backfoot.

But United continued to miss good chances. Pat Reid hit a post, Pat Neary headed the ball over the crossbar from close range, while Jordan was held back by a Salthill defender when clean through.

The failure of the referee to allow Jordan advantage cost Straide & Foxford dearly with little benefit being reaped from the resultant free-kick.

Salthill were reduced to ten players when central defender Kevin Cassidy was red-carded for a professional foul on Martin Neary.

United continued to maintain the pressure and Brian Joyce had the ball at the back of the Salthill net only for it to be ruled out for an offside infringement.

It was one of those frustrating afternoons for Straide & Foxford United.
But they are not out of the title race by any means.
Straide & Foxford: J. Larkin, D. Flannery, B. Joyce, A. Durkin, J. Kenny, P. Reid, M. Neary, F. Mulvihill, P. Neary, J. Jordan, L. McHale. Res: M. Costello (for Mulvihill); D. Smyth (for Jordan).



Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - December 1996