Exodus maintain good run in Jnr Shield after gritty win over Knockmitten
EXODUS FC’S run in the Leinster Junior Shield continued on Saturday when they saw off a dogged Knockmitten United, of the Leinster Senior League, in Brickfield Park on Saturday afternoon.
A 3-1 win in their favour will see the lads travel to Wexford in the next round and all in the UCFL will be hoping that they can go as far, or further, than The Local FC who bowed out at the semi final stage of this competition last season.
This encounter was a very tight affair with clear cut chances at a premium, and to be honest Exodus took the opportunities that came their way when presented with them.
They started off brightly enough and saw a free kick from Carlos Luna crash off the crossbar after only seven minutes, after Gino Bustamante was taken down on the edge of the area.
However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring after 16 minutes as a deep cross from Abdul Ahmed evaded keeper Jose Echegaray in the home goal and Sean Carroll rose behind him and headed home.
That lead lasted only 10 minutes as the home side were awarded a penalty after Alan Rolan was fouled in the area and Facundo Benitez slotted home the spot kick.
Exodus FC saw off Knockmitten United in the Junior Shield
Five minutes later they took the lead as a mix-up between Alan Davidson and his keeper Paul Norton presented an open goal for John Rolon who was never going to miss.
It was probably just about deserved as we entered the half time break, but Exodus knew that United would come out fighting in the second period.
They didn’t disappoint as they piled forward and could have been on level terms within 10 minutes of the restart, but both Ryan O’Leary and Jack McNeill both shot tamely when maybe they could have done better.
But the home side weathered the storm and began to frustrate the visitors as they slowed the pace of the game at every opportunity.
It was two contrasting styles, one who wanted to play on the front foot and the other who moved the ball around looking for an opening, and that’s not being critical of either team.
As this game wore on the next goal was always going to be crucial and when Raul Moya headed home with 10 minutes remaining Knockmitten knew the writing was on the wall and they were heading out.
EXODUS FC: J. Echegaray, R. Moya, J. Quintanilla, M. Perramun, C. Luna, F. Benitez, G. Bustamante, E. Fernandez, A. Rolon, A. Sanchez, D. Minones, A. Canessa, F. Munoz, A. Ojeda, S. Hernandez.
KNOCKMITTEN UNITED: P. Norton, J. Meehan, C. Kennedy, A. Davidson, S. Carroll, A. Eustace, R. O’Leary, A. Ahmed, J. McNeill, D. Byrne, C. Yomney, L. Bayley, J. Khaleed, S. Morris, R. Volkas, C. Morrow.
REFEREE: P. Lang.
