FC Sportslink Ailsbury 3rds 2-2 Booterstown Utd Dave Murphy handed the managerial reins over to his number two today, Niall Crowley reading from the prestigious playbook and adding a few tricks of his own, mostly standard Cork fouling tactics with an emphasis on winning the breaking ball. In a pre-match interview Crowley was asked if it was going to be strange playing against former club man Pete Watters to which he replied; “Of course it’s strange because for me he is a Town man, I took him when he was a very, very young player. We have gone together through very difficult periods and he became a world-class UCL player and for me he is a Town player.” Last weeks rumour mill was further fuelled by the absence of the Vet, with unconfirmed reports that he has taken retirement in Salou, the average team age dropping significantly to 26 as a result. Crowley had some alterations to make to the line up due to ongoing injury concerns but was happy that he had a strong squad to choose from. Town lined out as follows: GK Roy Tobin RB Eoghan O Malley CB Joe Moran CB Tom Fortune LB Gareth keeny RM Or Keegan CM Niall Byrne CM Keith Tobin LM Stephen O Flynn (C) ST Scott Tobin ST Sam Jackson Subs: Jt O Sullivan, Shane Regan, Taz Duggan Steve the Twin O’Flynn rode back into Town with a new set of boots today and picked up the Captains armband to lead the troops out onto the field. Ailsbury took tip but came under severe pressure from an eager Town from the off. Any early attacks by the home side were quickly snuffed out by Tom Fortune and Joe Moran, Basketball Joe proving a pillar in the Town defence. Town looked to be playing the better football in the opener and the first real chance came from Sam Jackson who found himself at the end of a clever through ball, Jackson sprinting past the back two to collect and slot in the bottom right. The ref had already adjudicated that Sam was offside and the goal was ruled out, much to the disbelief of everyone on the sideline who had witnessed the perfectly timed run. Steve O Flynn stepped into the fray shortly after to remind everyone why he is king of the wing, with some excellent footwork he skipped past the defence, and taking his time on the byline he weaved into the box and played a clean ball across the deck to Or who was standing idle at the penalty spot, Or should have registered his first Town goal but scuffed the shot and the keeper collected with ease. Town continued to pile on the pressure and won a free kick 40yds out. Town without a free taker meant Jackson was at liberty to nominate himself to organise the set piece. Crowley checked the Murphy playbook and instructed Sam to play set piece #5.6 aka pass the ball, but the young lad showed little desire for the move and took the shot on himself, the ball soared high and wide, a wasted opportunity much to the disappointment of Murphy’s Number Two – Minnie Murph. Keith Tobin was proving crucial for Town in the opening half and really helped his side to dominate play with his first time control and ability to spread the ball around the park. Again the wingbacks were being very creative, Eoghan O Malley showing his ability on the right and Gareth Kenny looking like he had a new engine fitted on the left. Town were rewarded on the half hour mark when the Twin slotted a through ball to Jackson who again outpaced this defence, he knocked the ball down with his head, and while still in full flight controlled it with his knee before hitting it first time into the bottom corner. The Booterstown Magician netting his 7th goal of the season in as many games. The ref was eager to cut out pulling and tugging and took a no nonsense approach to hands on the back throughout the game. This lead to some dangerous free kicks being given away around the box. But the Town defence were wining everything in the area and the midfield were given a licence to attack. Steve O Flynn was again on the front line, moving the ball from the wing into the danger zone, he eyed up the top corner only to pull off a fine save from the Ailsbury keeper. Moments later Malley stormed down the right and took on the defence, slickly moving into the box, the keeper rushed on Malley and he released the ball to Scott who was approaching on Malley’s right shoulder, but again another controversial offside decision by the ref prevented Town from going two up. Not to be sedated by this decision Town again went on the attack, Malley working the bal down the wing, but this time switching play to the Twin who floated a ball into Scotty, Scott making no mistake about getting on the score sheet. Two goals in two games sees young Tobin in flying form. The half time whistle blew shortly after to see a comfortable 2-0 lead for the visitors going into the break. Crowley gave a rebel speech at half time, encouraging Town to keep up the good work and preparing the team for the mental battle ahead, the Cork man knew there would be a storm coming and warned that the home team weren’t going to lie down without a fight. True to his words Ailsbury didn’t look like they were going to sit back licking their wounds in the second half, coming out like a fighter who needed a knock out in the final round. Town were put on the back foot in the second half. Crowley looked to set some composure in the game and gambled by removing the Israelian winger for the Town pro Shane Regan, who is yet to return to last season’s prolific form. Ailsbury were rewarded for their mounting pressure on the 60th minute when they netted to bring themselves back into the frame. With the score line at 2-1 Crowley made a further change Gareth Kenny ,who had put in a big shift on his return, made way for Jt O Sullivan The Ailsbury pressure continued to mount however and the defence had plenty of work to do to keep the scoreline at 2-1, it was Roy Tobin who deserves the real credit though as he proved yet again why is the top keeper in this league with some incredible saves. Town responded with an attack down the right, a ball through to Regan allowed him pick out a pass to Scotty who teed up Niall Byrne at the edge of the area but the shot wasn’t enough to trouble the keeper who collected in his hands. Ailsbury found their second moments later when the number 9 received a ball over the top in acres of space, the striker moved in one on one with the keeper and finished to bring the scoreline to 2-2. Crowley called on his final substitution, replacing Niall Byrne with Taz Duggan and brought Scott Tobin back into midfield to help gain control of the game. Town managed to find a bit more composure after this but lacked the attacking edge required to go on and win the game. A disappointing trip for Town after showing such promise in the first half, two points lost in the second half has left Crowley’s wish at managing a top flight team in tatters. Town could have been out of distance at half time but credit to a resilient Ailsbury side who battled back today.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 21:19:30 +0000