MONKSLAND UNITED 0 CLARA TOWN 2
John Dingle
Monksland United's CCFL senior division aspirations received a blow in Cushla Park on Sunday last when they were defeated by reigning champions Clara Town.
After a scoreless first half, the visitors struck within a minute of the restart. The lead was doubled late in the second half as the Offaly outfit now move to within a point of Monksland.
The early pressure was exerted by Clara. There was little goalmouth action though as both teams struggled on their competitive return. Robert Bracken came close but Darren Costello made a great save at the expense of the first corner kick.
Monksland earned their opening corner after 25 minutes but were almost punished on the counter attack. Lorcan Cornally raced clear but his shot was pushed behind at his near post by Costello.
Another corner soon followed for Clara but the champions had to thank their goalkeeper for keeping the game scoreless after 33 minutes. Having been second best to date, Monksland tested the Clara defence from a set piece. David O’Brien delivered a free kick and Callum O’Brien’s header was acrobatically pushed behind by Conor Cushen.
Another corner followed for Tony O’Sullivan's men but both keepers were insuring that the half would remain scoreless. Another free, this time for Clara, saw Josh Fleming line up a strike but Costello reacted well to push the ball away. Monksland's last chance saw Dylan Jinks denied by Cushen while first half action ended with Davy Minnock firing over for the visitors.
The game had just restarted when Clara took the lead. Half time sub Neil Robbins saw his shot pushed away but the danger still remained and Robert McDonagh took advantage of some slack marking to drill a low shot to the net past the keeper’s right.
David Fortune then fired into the side netting as United looked to respond. There could easily have been another three goals to follow in quick succession as the game took life. On 51 minutes, Bracken fired a shot off the post. A minute later, Jinks had an opportunity to level matters but fired straight at the keeper instead. The woodwork again denied Clara doubling their lead, Fleming's turn this time to be frustrated by the post.
Jinks again came close but saw his shot blocked. Monksland earned another corner with substitute Oisin McAuley firing wide as the game remained competitive. Clara then forced three corners in quick succession but the outcome was to hinge on a couple of key moments as the game headed into the last quarter of an hour.
Monksland should have levelled matters but instead found themselves further in arrears as play swung dramatically from end to end. McAuley looked set to score but instead opted to try and set up John Stapleton, a brilliant goal line clearance denying the number eleven the equaliser.
Clara took full advantage of the let off by scoring again after 77 minutes when Bracken set up Robbins who made no mistake, Monksland failing to make the closing stages more interesting.
