Leinster Senior League, Division 2 Saturday
With Mid Sutton having put 4 past Wheelers with no reply in a recent bout at St Annes Park, there was added motiavation for the home side to come up with a performance against their potential promotion chasing rivals..
With this recent defeat fresh in the minds of the Wheelers, the boys in yellow dominated the early exchanges, playing some of their best football so far this season in the process. Sean McCarthy was a constant threat on the left and Jason Carey dominated early in the centre of the field. It was Darren Hambury though, who opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a typical strikers finish after a McCarthy raid down the left and Alan Lannigan doubled the advantage 5 minutes later after getting on the end of a Hambury cross.
Mid Sutton did get one back 5 minutes before half time after a long ball from the visiting keeper caught the Wheelers defence on their heels. Mid Sutton's centre forward nipped in to put the ball past Freewheelers' goalkeeper Darryl Murray but the home side responded almost immediately and a header from captain Ronan Scanlan made the score 3-1 at half time.
The second half gave Freewheelers' manager Brian Gilmartin moments of concern as Mid Sutton fought hard to get back into the game.The visitors made it 3-2 on 60 minutes after Murray lost flight of the ball in the low winter sun, and Gilmartin immediately responded by making changes.
Dan McGibney was introduced at right back and Alan Carey made his first appearance of the season on the left of midfield, thus allowing McCarthy more freedom to push on and support the attack.
Almost inevitably then, it was McCarthy who wrapped up the 3 points for the Wheelers.
He made it 4-2 by pouncing on a loose ball in the box and soon after he capped a fine individual performance with a superb volley from 20 yards which dipped over the keeper leaving the score 5-2 to the home side.
Darryl
2. 4. 5. 3. ]
Steve Scal Ro Scal(c) Norm Steven Murphy
7 6 8 11
Seanie Jay Carey Peter Telia
10 9
Hambo Lanno
Subs: 14 Donal for Lanno (65)
13 Alan Carey for Telia (65)
Subs not Used: 12 Jasper