Wolfhill Athletic edge out Stretford in a seven-goal thriller
Wolfhill Athletic 4 Stretford United 3
ON THE basis of an increasingly impressive and consistent run of form, League leaders Stretford might have been forgiven for confident expectations against a Wolfhill outfit they had beaten on a couple of occasions in recent encounters.
Yet it was the home team who almost owned possession during the first quarter with Alan Walsh turned a couple of United defenders before curling a brilliant effort just wide of the Stretford upright on 18 minutes.
On 20 minutes, Liam Kelly was aghast after baffling two defenders but somehow contrived to fluff a great chance to open the scoring. With Stretford getting into the game this wastage was to finally prove expensive with United's John Hajji Doyle rifling a free kick to the top corner on 30 minutes.
The Wolves response saw Alan Walsh blast a shot at goal which struck the United keeper before Mark Fox headed over an open goal on 33 minutes. When doubt crept into their game, Wolfhill retreated to a more defensive formation until half time.
Despite knowing what to expect from Wolves during the third quarter the Stretford defence wilted before Garry Rowan was allowed to get the cleanest of touches to a great cross from Alan Walsh to equalise on 52 minutes. Indicative of the resilience now in the United outfit the Carlow town based lads responded immediately with Kieran Dollard cracking a great shot to the Wolves net from outside the box on 58 minutes.
The home outfit continued to work hard but without reward until 70 minutes when Mark Fox's header found the net to equalise. Once again, Stretford's response was razor sharp as John Doyle raced onto a through ball by Barry McDaniels to score on 75 minutes.
United might have won it but for a couple of very good saves by Wolves Kevin Kelly. Time was running out when Wolves were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area P J Rowans effort was too hot to handle for the United keeper allowing Philip Brennan to slam the equalizer on 89 minutes.
Both sides might have expected a share of the points but Wolfhill went for the kill and were rewarded when a rash defensive decision earned Wolves a penalty which Darren Kelly buried to secure the points and reward the earlier efforts of Darren Kelly, Brian Fleming and Garry Rowan. Best for Stretford were James Ryan, Jamie Kavanagh, P.J. Connolly and Kieran Dollard.
