Denny Premier B 2013/14

Kerry District League
Friday 04-04-2014
Athletico Ardfert 0-0 Classic FC

By Tommy Naughton

A scoreless draw on Friday night see’s both these sides still in the hunt for a promotion spot. A total contrast in style was on show with Classic happy to keep the ball, pass it around before trying to create a chance but lacked the killer edge in the final third. Ardfert on the other hand were happy to play long balls out of defence quickly and get it forward to their strikers who can be a hand full for most teams in the league.

The opening chance of the game fell to Aston Mugabe for Classic who after a good solo run saw his shot from outside the box go wide of the far post. The first shot on target came after fifteen minutes after some good work by Mark Tagney and Mugabe saw Kieran O’Regan’s shot well held by Athletico keeper Nicky O’Sullivan.

Ten minutes later Classic almost took the lead of their dominant start when Antony McAuliffe and O’Regan worked together to take a short corner before picking out Brendan Smyth who shot went narrowly wide.

It took Ardfert 30 minutes to get their first shot of the game when Brian Maloney fired wide from distance. Ardfert were now coming more into the game and had two great chances within a minute. First Trevor Wallace was off target with a half volley at the back post from a Mike Maloney cross. Classic then took a quick goal kick which was intercepted but Andy Valukonis week effort was saved easily by Gary Kissane.

The final chance of the half fell to Ardfert when Mairtin Ferris saw his header from a Mike Maloney corner just drop wide of the far post.

The second half started like the first with Classic starting the better. Aston Mugabe put Ritchie Kelleher through but went to try to chip the keeper which was easily saved when shooting low across the goal might have been the better option. Mark Tagney then saw his long range effort saved again by O’Sullivan.

On the hour mark Mike Maloney was only a yard wide of the post when his shot from just on the edge of the box rolled wide after being set up by Valukonis. Neither side were now in total control of the game and it really could have been anyone’s to win only for the lack of the killer finish.

Brendan Smyth found Mark Tagney with a delightful chip to the back post with 15 minutes left but his free header went across the face of the goal and wide. Mike Maloney was next to go close after chasing down a long clearance, shot across the keeper but again it was the wrong side of the post.

The final chance of the game fell to Classic substitute Neil Hobbert who was picked out at the near post by Martin Sweeney but Nicky O’Sullivan was alive to the danger and saved well at his near post to secured a point for each side.

Athletico Ardfert: Nicky o Sullivan, Martin Deady, Cian Dineen , Steven Power, Owen McCarthy, Brian Maloney, Mairtin Ferris , Mike Maloney, Pa Donoghue, Cian Hussey. Subs Used , Andy Valukonis .

Classic FC: Gary Kissane , Timmy Lynch, Billy Clifford, Kieran o Regan, Ashton Mugabe, Ritchie Kelleher, Brendan Smyth, Mark Tagney, Alan o Shea, Antony McAuliffe, Jay Murphy. Subs Used , Neil Hobbert, Martin Sweeney .