Allenton continue their late resurgence in Division 3A with a good win against Strand United, at home on a glorious Saturday.
Allenton started this match strongly, looking for the early goal, and despite creating numerous chances could not find the back of the net.
Strand began to press, but their early efforts were easily thwarted by the sturdy Allenton back line.
Allenton looked strong from set pieces, winning a string of corners, and the finally broke through - Mick latching onto a cross that was not convincingly cleared by Strand, and glanced in the opener.
Allenton sat back after gaining the lead, and Strand took advantage by launching a number of attacks, and their efforts were rewarded with the equaliser shortly before the break.
The second half began with Allenton pressing to regain the lead, but a defensive mix-up led to Strand playng the ball to the edge of the area, and their attacker took advantage of the space and sweatly smashed the ball into the bottom left hand corner from all of 20 yards.
Allenton, not wishing to go out of the competition at this stage, pressed forward looking for an equaliser, when it finally came from yet another corner, with Mick once again proving to be a threat, by glancing the ball into the back of the net.
Allenton continued to press, looking for the elusive winner, which, with 10 mintues to go, scrappily came.
From yet another corner, Strand failed to deal with the swift curling cross, and after hitting a few bodies, Paul (we think) got the touch put put Allenton deservedly back in the lead.
It could of been 4, as Allenton created chance after chance in the closing minutes of the game.
It ended 3-2, and the semi final against Grovesnor Lane to come.
Team:
Defence: Lee O'Sullivan, Barry Dwyer, Jon Redmond, Ritchie
Midfield: Robert Dwyer, Billy Cunningham, Andre Caminiti, Davide (Paul (1))
Attack: Mick Horgan(2) (Ultan), Alan Dundon
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Match Report: Grazzmatazz 0 - 3 Allenton United
10 from the last 12 league points is the current form of Allenton United. Not even the other United; Manchester, can boast such a return from the last 4 league games!
The match started on another pleasant evening, for this midweek game in Ballyogan.
Allenton began by moving away from their usual 4 4 2 formation, instead opting for an attack minded 4 3 3 / 4 5 1.
After a tentative and scrappy start, tempers had started to flare, culminating in a sending off for one of the Grazzmatazz forwards for kicking out at Allenton's Robert Dwyer.
A great save from 'keeper Steven Brady, tipping the ball onto the bar from a well struck volley, kept the score at 0-0, and he was called upon another few times to keep Allenton in the game as Grazzmatazz pressed for an early opener.
Grazzmatazz pushed on, passing and moving well but unable to break down the solid Allenton defence.
Allenton had a couple of breaks down either wing, and half chances fell to Mick Horgan and Alan Dundon, with Lee O'Sullivan hitting the post after latching onto to a free kick sent into the box by Jon Redmond, but the first half ended goalless.
Soon after the restart, Allenton began to pressurise the Grazzmatazz midfield and back line, and the pace up front started to expose cracks in the Grazzmatazz defence.
The deadlock finally broke.
Mick Horgan started a trademark winding run on the right of midfield, skipping by one defender, and powering into the box before being taken down when just about the pull the trigger. Penalty.
As seems to be par for the course lately, Andre Caminiti stepped up to convert the spot kick, sweetly slotting it in the bottom left corner.
That's 4 penalties from the last 4 league games slotted in by 'Dre, and 5 from the last 5 games if the shoot-out at W FC is counted.
By this stage, Allenton were well on top of the game.
Grazzmatazz could still not break down the sturdy Allenton defence, with Barry Dwyer having Grazz's best player in his pocket for the entire game, reducing him to shooting from distance.
Davide came on for Fran Villena - who had been playing solidly in defence, to give Allenton even more attacking options, and take advantage of their growing domination. O'Sullivan switched to a wing-back role on the right, while Davide focused his attention up front.
Soon after, Allenton were 2 up. Billy Cunningham slid a ball through for O'Sullivan, who cracked a shot across the 'keeper, who in turn parried the shot straight in front of the waiting Mick Horgan & Davide. Davide knocked the ball to his left to Horgan, who obliged by neatly slotting the ball past the Grazzmatazz 'keeper.
Grazzmatazz at this stage, were out on their feet, and Allenton were harassing and winning everything through the midfield, with the usual strong performances by Andre Caminiti, Billy Cunningham and Rob Dwyer. The Allenton back line soaked up everything Grazz had to offer, and Brady had possibly his quietest game in goal to date, though two saves from shots were required, even if the ball was struck pretty much straight at the Allenton stopper.
Some more good play down the left by Dundon resulted in Allenton winning a string of free kicks near the edge of the Grazzmatazz penalty area, and Allenton piled the pressure on.
This period of strong play eventually led to a lofted ball from the left over the defence which landed kindly for Horgan, who volleyed across the Grazzmatazz 'keeper, sending the ball flying into the inside of the far post.
0-3 and Allenton were beginning to run riot.
A few more half chances came, and possibly the best chance came to Davide who ran onto a through ball from Horgan, and only for some good reactions from the Grazzmatazz goalie, he would have put Allenton 4 up.
By this stage, Allentons back line of Rob Dwyer, Jon Redmond, Ritchie and Lee O'Sullivan were barely troubled, but when called into action, kept the Grazzmatazz front men from creating anything but half chances.
The midfield of Barry Dwyer, Andre Caminiti and Billy Cunningham battled for the full 90 minutes, giving little to their opposite numbers. The forward line of Alan Dundon, Mick Horgan and Davide kept creating chances, with Grazzmatazz unable to deal with the strength of Dundon, pace of Horgan or off the ball running of Davide.
When the whistle finally sounded, a well deserved 0-3 victory for Allenton was the result.
Relegation contenders? I think not. Allenton are showing at this late stage in the season, that they are now the team to beat.
Team:
Defence: Fran Villena (Davide, 60mins), Barry Dwyer, Jon Redmond, Ritchie
Midfield: Robert Dwyer, Billy Cunningham, Andre Caminiti(1)
Attack: Lee O'Sullivan, Mick Horgan(2), Alan Dundon
The match started on another pleasant evening, for this midweek game in Ballyogan.
Allenton began by moving away from their usual 4 4 2 formation, instead opting for an attack minded 4 3 3 / 4 5 1.
After a tentative and scrappy start, tempers had started to flare, culminating in a sending off for one of the Grazzmatazz forwards for kicking out at Allenton's Robert Dwyer.
A great save from 'keeper Steven Brady, tipping the ball onto the bar from a well struck volley, kept the score at 0-0, and he was called upon another few times to keep Allenton in the game as Grazzmatazz pressed for an early opener.
Grazzmatazz pushed on, passing and moving well but unable to break down the solid Allenton defence.
Allenton had a couple of breaks down either wing, and half chances fell to Mick Horgan and Alan Dundon, with Lee O'Sullivan hitting the post after latching onto to a free kick sent into the box by Jon Redmond, but the first half ended goalless.
Soon after the restart, Allenton began to pressurise the Grazzmatazz midfield and back line, and the pace up front started to expose cracks in the Grazzmatazz defence.
The deadlock finally broke.
Mick Horgan started a trademark winding run on the right of midfield, skipping by one defender, and powering into the box before being taken down when just about the pull the trigger. Penalty.
As seems to be par for the course lately, Andre Caminiti stepped up to convert the spot kick, sweetly slotting it in the bottom left corner.
That's 4 penalties from the last 4 league games slotted in by 'Dre, and 5 from the last 5 games if the shoot-out at W FC is counted.
By this stage, Allenton were well on top of the game.
Grazzmatazz could still not break down the sturdy Allenton defence, with Barry Dwyer having Grazz's best player in his pocket for the entire game, reducing him to shooting from distance.
Davide came on for Fran Villena - who had been playing solidly in defence, to give Allenton even more attacking options, and take advantage of their growing domination. O'Sullivan switched to a wing-back role on the right, while Davide focused his attention up front.
Soon after, Allenton were 2 up. Billy Cunningham slid a ball through for O'Sullivan, who cracked a shot across the 'keeper, who in turn parried the shot straight in front of the waiting Mick Horgan & Davide. Davide knocked the ball to his left to Horgan, who obliged by neatly slotting the ball past the Grazzmatazz 'keeper.
Grazzmatazz at this stage, were out on their feet, and Allenton were harassing and winning everything through the midfield, with the usual strong performances by Andre Caminiti, Billy Cunningham and Rob Dwyer. The Allenton back line soaked up everything Grazz had to offer, and Brady had possibly his quietest game in goal to date, though two saves from shots were required, even if the ball was struck pretty much straight at the Allenton stopper.
Some more good play down the left by Dundon resulted in Allenton winning a string of free kicks near the edge of the Grazzmatazz penalty area, and Allenton piled the pressure on.
This period of strong play eventually led to a lofted ball from the left over the defence which landed kindly for Horgan, who volleyed across the Grazzmatazz 'keeper, sending the ball flying into the inside of the far post.
0-3 and Allenton were beginning to run riot.
A few more half chances came, and possibly the best chance came to Davide who ran onto a through ball from Horgan, and only for some good reactions from the Grazzmatazz goalie, he would have put Allenton 4 up.
By this stage, Allentons back line of Rob Dwyer, Jon Redmond, Ritchie and Lee O'Sullivan were barely troubled, but when called into action, kept the Grazzmatazz front men from creating anything but half chances.
The midfield of Barry Dwyer, Andre Caminiti and Billy Cunningham battled for the full 90 minutes, giving little to their opposite numbers. The forward line of Alan Dundon, Mick Horgan and Davide kept creating chances, with Grazzmatazz unable to deal with the strength of Dundon, pace of Horgan or off the ball running of Davide.
When the whistle finally sounded, a well deserved 0-3 victory for Allenton was the result.
Relegation contenders? I think not. Allenton are showing at this late stage in the season, that they are now the team to beat.
Team:
Defence: Fran Villena (Davide, 60mins), Barry Dwyer, Jon Redmond, Ritchie
Midfield: Robert Dwyer, Billy Cunningham, Andre Caminiti(1)
Attack: Lee O'Sullivan, Mick Horgan(2), Alan Dundon
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Match Report - Grosvenor Lane 0 - Allenton United 1
The Allenton United train rolled into Bushy Park on a sunny Monday night and continued their recent run of good form by bagging all 3 points against a resilient Grosvenor Lane.
After only 2 points from 13 games, Allenton are now 7 points from a possible 9 in the last 2 weeks, hardly relegation form.
Grosvenor, on the back of a weekend defeat to Grazmatazz were out to frank the form of the 2-0 defeat of Allenton earlier in the season but United had other ideas. On the back of a confidence boosting win over Shielton recently, Allenton boasted the strongest squad they've had since before Christmas, with the return of Mark from injury a boost.
The away side started brightly with a couple of half-chances from Mick and a long-range effort from Jon Redmond. The game was flowing in Allenton's favour with Steve rarely troubled in the first half. Davide worked hard and a deflection meant Grosvenor conceeded the 1st of 6 consecutive corners - the last of which resulted in the only goal of the game. After Andre had whipped in 5 corners, Thomas flicked the 6th one on from the front post, and the Grosvenor defender poked the ball into his own net. 1-0!!!!
Allenton continued to press and just on half time,Billy whipped a ball into the box and the ball bounced between Thomas and the opposing keeper and both went for it. Although he cant remember much, other team members described the challenge as WWE like with both bodies crashing to the floor. Thomas came off the worst,fracturing his fore-arm, effectively ending his season.
Marc came on at half-time and put in a good shift, with Davide making way for the industrious Alan, who lead the line very well with a half-hour to go.
The game turned in Grosvenor's favour slightly when they pushed their centre-half up front and went with 3 in the middle of the park, but the back four of Fran, Jon, Rob and Barry handled all they could throw at them comfortably, even at the cost of a couple of yellow cards. Andre,Billy and Lee controlled the middle of the park and supplied good ball to Alan,Marc and Mick, who all could have put the game beyong Grosvenor with some good chances late on. Steve made two wonderful saves from Grosvenors biggest threat, their number 12, pushing one around the post and diving at his feet for the second to hand Allenton win number two of the season.
Allenton will hope to carry their form into the 1st round of the shield, Away to WFC, this Saturday at 3pm
After only 2 points from 13 games, Allenton are now 7 points from a possible 9 in the last 2 weeks, hardly relegation form.
Grosvenor, on the back of a weekend defeat to Grazmatazz were out to frank the form of the 2-0 defeat of Allenton earlier in the season but United had other ideas. On the back of a confidence boosting win over Shielton recently, Allenton boasted the strongest squad they've had since before Christmas, with the return of Mark from injury a boost.
The away side started brightly with a couple of half-chances from Mick and a long-range effort from Jon Redmond. The game was flowing in Allenton's favour with Steve rarely troubled in the first half. Davide worked hard and a deflection meant Grosvenor conceeded the 1st of 6 consecutive corners - the last of which resulted in the only goal of the game. After Andre had whipped in 5 corners, Thomas flicked the 6th one on from the front post, and the Grosvenor defender poked the ball into his own net. 1-0!!!!
Allenton continued to press and just on half time,Billy whipped a ball into the box and the ball bounced between Thomas and the opposing keeper and both went for it. Although he cant remember much, other team members described the challenge as WWE like with both bodies crashing to the floor. Thomas came off the worst,fracturing his fore-arm, effectively ending his season.
Marc came on at half-time and put in a good shift, with Davide making way for the industrious Alan, who lead the line very well with a half-hour to go.
The game turned in Grosvenor's favour slightly when they pushed their centre-half up front and went with 3 in the middle of the park, but the back four of Fran, Jon, Rob and Barry handled all they could throw at them comfortably, even at the cost of a couple of yellow cards. Andre,Billy and Lee controlled the middle of the park and supplied good ball to Alan,Marc and Mick, who all could have put the game beyong Grosvenor with some good chances late on. Steve made two wonderful saves from Grosvenors biggest threat, their number 12, pushing one around the post and diving at his feet for the second to hand Allenton win number two of the season.
Allenton will hope to carry their form into the 1st round of the shield, Away to WFC, this Saturday at 3pm
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