Newcastle West Town B 6-2 St Ita’s Reserves
Reserves Show Fighting Spirit Despite Opening-Day Defeat
The St Ita’s Reserves travelled to Woodfield on a cool, crisp Sunday morning to take on Newcastle West Town B in their opening league fixture, with kick-off at 10:30am.
Newcastle West started brightly and dominated the early exchanges, with their pressure paying off in the 7th minute as Robert O’Brien found the net to give the home side an early lead. However, the Saints responded well and drew level in the 16th minute through a superb strike from Sean Ryan, who spotted the goalkeeper off his line and produced an excellent lob from distance.
St Ita’s grew into the game following the equaliser and created a couple of promising opportunities that could have seen them take the lead. However, Newcastle West continued to apply pressure and regained the advantage on the stroke of half-time through Michael O’Brien, a disappointing blow for the Saints after their hard work to get back into the contest.
The home side emerged from the break with renewed intensity and extended their lead just before the hour mark through Prince Moyo. Dean Quaid added a fourth in the 73rd minute, leaving the Saints with a mountain to climb.
To their credit, St Ita’s refused to give up. In the 77th minute, Sean Ryan turned provider with a beautifully delivered cross that was met by Darren Fitzgibbon, who powered a header home to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
With 13 minutes remaining, the Saints continued to push forward in search of another goal. Jason McCarthy came close with a well-struck effort that was expertly saved by the Newcastle West goalkeeper. However, as St Ita’s committed players forward, spaces began to open up at the back, and the home side took full advantage. Adam Shiels added a fifth before Robert O’Brien grabbed his second of the afternoon to complete the scoring.
Full-time: Newcastle West Town B 6-2 St Ita’s Reserves.
While the scoreline was disappointing, there were plenty of positives for the Saints to take from the performance. The team showed determination, created chances and continued to battle right to the final whistle. With performances improving week on week and more players returning to the fold, there is plenty of encouragement for the weeks ahead.
The result may not have gone their way, but the Reserves will take the positives, keep working hard and look to build on the progress being made.
Onwards and upwards, Saints! 💙
St Ita’s Reserves
Starting XI: Kai McMahon, Oliver Flanagan, Conor O’Shea, Martin Mullane, Patrick O’Sullivan, Andrew Lyons, Darren Fitzgibbon, Jason McCarthy, Sean Ryan, Shane McCarthy, Bobby Gore.
Substitutions:
* Aaron Heffernan replaced Shane McCarthy (56’).
* Shane O’Brien replaced Andrew Lyons (60’).
Reserves Show Fighting Spirit Despite Opening-Day Defeat
The St Ita’s Reserves travelled to Woodfield on a cool, crisp Sunday morning to take on Newcastle West Town B in their opening league fixture, with kick-off at 10:30am.
Newcastle West started brightly and dominated the early exchanges, with their pressure paying off in the 7th minute as Robert O’Brien found the net to give the home side an early lead. However, the Saints responded well and drew level in the 16th minute through a superb strike from Sean Ryan, who spotted the goalkeeper off his line and produced an excellent lob from distance.
St Ita’s grew into the game following the equaliser and created a couple of promising opportunities that could have seen them take the lead. However, Newcastle West continued to apply pressure and regained the advantage on the stroke of half-time through Michael O’Brien, a disappointing blow for the Saints after their hard work to get back into the contest.
The home side emerged from the break with renewed intensity and extended their lead just before the hour mark through Prince Moyo. Dean Quaid added a fourth in the 73rd minute, leaving the Saints with a mountain to climb.
To their credit, St Ita’s refused to give up. In the 77th minute, Sean Ryan turned provider with a beautifully delivered cross that was met by Darren Fitzgibbon, who powered a header home to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
With 13 minutes remaining, the Saints continued to push forward in search of another goal. Jason McCarthy came close with a well-struck effort that was expertly saved by the Newcastle West goalkeeper. However, as St Ita’s committed players forward, spaces began to open up at the back, and the home side took full advantage. Adam Shiels added a fifth before Robert O’Brien grabbed his second of the afternoon to complete the scoring.
Full-time: Newcastle West Town B 6-2 St Ita’s Reserves.
While the scoreline was disappointing, there were plenty of positives for the Saints to take from the performance. The team showed determination, created chances and continued to battle right to the final whistle. With performances improving week on week and more players returning to the fold, there is plenty of encouragement for the weeks ahead.
The result may not have gone their way, but the Reserves will take the positives, keep working hard and look to build on the progress being made.
Onwards and upwards, Saints! 💙
St Ita’s Reserves
Starting XI: Kai McMahon, Oliver Flanagan, Conor O’Shea, Martin Mullane, Patrick O’Sullivan, Andrew Lyons, Darren Fitzgibbon, Jason McCarthy, Sean Ryan, Shane McCarthy, Bobby Gore.
Substitutions:
* Aaron Heffernan replaced Shane McCarthy (56’).
* Shane O’Brien replaced Andrew Lyons (60’).
