ST PETERS 1
MONKSLAND UNITED 4
Monksland United beat local rivals St Peters at the Athlone Town Stadium on Sunday morning last, Dylan Jinks claiming a hat trick in a four one win.
Jinks grabbed the first of his three goals after 20 minutes to break the deadlock. A second score from the number nine increased the lead before the break. The Saints reduced the deficit after the hour mark but Jinks then completed his hat trick. Ryan O’Connor sealed victory with a fourth goal late on.
Denzil DeCosta had the first chance when firing wide with the first corner kick following for the visitors. The Saints first chance fell to Luke Kelly but he also fired wide. Monksland came close to opening the scoring on 19 minutes when a right-wing cross fell to O’Connor at the back post but goalkeeper Darcy Lawless got down to his left to palm the ball away.
The respite for Peters was brief as the scoring was opened a minute later as Johnny Kiernan sent in a cross from the right and Jinks met the ball to head home. Jinks had a further chance but fired over after being set up by O’Connor.
The Saints then had a great chance to draw level after 32 minutes. John Stapleton delivered a left-wing cross which fell to Jayden Tumulty but the number ten somehow scooped the ball over the bar from close range. A further opportunity came Tumulty’s way but his shot was pushed away by Cathal Hannon.
United doubled their lead on 37 minutes when the ball was played into Jinks and he fired to the net past the keeper’s left and his post. Stapleton had the last Saint’s chance when shooting wide while the final action of the half saw O’Connor send the ball from the left across the goalmouth but no United player could get a goal bound touch.
Jinks had the first chance following the resumption of play but was off target. The Saints replied with a corner but Jinks was again in action only to be denied by Lawless once more.
Peters were handed a lifeline on 63 minutes, David Donohoe drilling a superb long-range strike past the keeper’s right to the net. Having further survived Kelly crashing a shot off the bar moments after Donohoe’s goal, United took control during the closing stages. O’Connor saw his shot tipped over with Jinks again denied by the keeper when his shot on the turn was pushed behind.
There was no denying the United striker for long as he duly completed his hat trick after 74 minutes as the ball was fired to the roof of the net past the helpless keeper from the left. The three points were now secured and O’Connor made absolutely sure when he stroked the ball home with ten minutes remaining.
Monksland finished with ten men when Brian Francis picked up a second yellow card late on but it mattered little as the victory had already been sealed. This result leaves Tony O’Sullivan’s men on top of the table while the Saints remain third from bottom.
