MONKSLAND UNITED 0 ST PETERS 0
Stalemate was the outcome of this CCFL Senior Division local derby fixture in Cushla Park on Sunday afternoon, an eagerly contested game failing to yield that much sought after winning goal.
Prior to the game, just a point had separated league leaders United from their local rivals and the gap remains the same following a scoreless draw. The home team will be disappointed not to have claimed all three points as they had the two best scoring chances, this result ensuring the Saints retained their unbeaten status with two games less played than their local rivals.
United had the first chance with just three minutes gone but John Stapleton headed over from a Ryan O’Connor left wing cross. The Saints came close from their first chance as Jordan Carr’s long range attempt flew just wide of the post. The visitors earned the first corner kick of the contest on 12 minutes but almost gifted Monksland the lead goal moments later. Saints losing possession in midfield afforded Stapleton the opportunity to race clear on the counter attack, but the finish from the number nine was poor as he blasted the ball high over the bar. It proved to be the best chance of the first half in a game that yielded few other clear-cut chances.
The Saints recovered and Luke Kelly had a free kick saved while a dangerous Niall Scullion cross from the right was palmed away by Darren Costello. David Briand was also in fine form in the opposing goal and he did well to punch clear an O’Connor free from the right. Corner kicks then dominated the action as the half progressed but still the deadlock remained unbroken. The Saints forced two more corner kicks as Tony O’Sullivan’s men replied with one of their own. The last chances of the half fell to the visitors as firstly Corey Jinks came close and then Nenad Lazic had a shot saved.
Aside from a brief period following the resumption of play, there was little otherwise to excite up to and beyond the midway point of the second half. Lazic fired a shot wide early on with the Saints also earning a corner as Mark McConnell’s men looked to finally open the scoring. Kelly also drilled a free kick wide on 52 minutes but there was a lull in proceedings until the next chance, which fell to United, came on 69 minutes. Another O’Connor free kick delivery picked out Stapleton but his header cleared the bar.
Substitute Dylan Jinks should have been the match winner for the hosts. Stapleton was the provider this time as he delivered a cross to the far post from the right. Jinks was unmarked and looked set to score from close range, but the United marksman however somehow pulled his shot over the bar much to his and the disbelief of home fans. The Saints counted their blessings at this let off and held out to share the spoils. Monksland’s luck was again out moments later when Matt Scally had a goal disallowed. The remainder of the game petered out to an inevitable scoreless conclusion and a point apiece.
