Having missed out on a bye in the challenge cup and with only 8 teams out of 36 to be pulled out of the hat, we were hopeful to avoid a first round tie in the Bedlow. We were unfortunate to be pulled out of the hat,but drew a Clontarf side who havent really gotten going this season, still without a win in all competitions.
Allenton, on the other hand, could boast 2 wins in the Cup format against higher opposition, and went in to the game with a full strength squad for the first time this season.
Having opened the scoring through a great Marc Gahan header, we went in comfortably at half time, but rueing chances we should have taken.
The second half was a much better affair, and by the time Mick had completed his hat-trick, Tommy could afford to make wholesale changes and give Jonny, Mick and Billy a well earned rest.
Bobby completed the rout with a tidy finish, although Allenton had a good few other chances to make the score bigger.
Another clean sheet and into round 2 - and with teams dropping points means we are not losing too much ground in the league.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Allenton 4 - 3 Rathmichael
2 weeks on the trot in the Challenge Cup against higher division opposition and now twice successful. Allenton took on 2b newcomers on a wet and windy afternoon in Dodder Valley.
After a brightish start, Allenton took the lead through Andre,a great strike after a corner was cleared properly. Allenton bagged another through Thomas, a left footer and they looked in control. Mick added a penalty in his first game back after Rathmichaels centre half handled in the area but a lapse to let rathmichael back in brought it to 3-1.It was quickly cancelled out with a great team goal from the hosts, starting with Billy on the edge of his own box, who collected again inside the opposing half who fed Bobby on the right to launch a great cross for Thomas to Nod home and Allenton went in at the break cruising and looking like taking another cup scalp.
Second half Allenton continued to defend well with Kevin commanding and the back four of Barry, Rob, Jon and Cillian all looking Solid. Andrew had a great chance to make it 5-1 but the keeper pulled off a great save.Billy also hit the crossbar with a looping free-kick and Allenton never looked in danger of losing. Mick made way for Alan and Allenton continued to press, with Billy and Andre keeping the midfield duo of the away side fairly quiet. Richie made his long awaited comeback from injury to replace Thomas with 15 to go and the game looked comfortably in the bag.
Then the ref intervened, after a soft goal from Rathmichael, the ref awarded a penalty and gave Andre his marching orders, even though it was for a second yellow and he hadnt been booked in the first place. He protested in some colorful language and was sent off, Allenton down to 10 with 4 minutres to go and still a goal ahead. They held on and now almost certainly face higher Divison oppostion in round 3 as the majority of lower division sides have been knocked out...
After a brightish start, Allenton took the lead through Andre,a great strike after a corner was cleared properly. Allenton bagged another through Thomas, a left footer and they looked in control. Mick added a penalty in his first game back after Rathmichaels centre half handled in the area but a lapse to let rathmichael back in brought it to 3-1.It was quickly cancelled out with a great team goal from the hosts, starting with Billy on the edge of his own box, who collected again inside the opposing half who fed Bobby on the right to launch a great cross for Thomas to Nod home and Allenton went in at the break cruising and looking like taking another cup scalp.
Second half Allenton continued to defend well with Kevin commanding and the back four of Barry, Rob, Jon and Cillian all looking Solid. Andrew had a great chance to make it 5-1 but the keeper pulled off a great save.Billy also hit the crossbar with a looping free-kick and Allenton never looked in danger of losing. Mick made way for Alan and Allenton continued to press, with Billy and Andre keeping the midfield duo of the away side fairly quiet. Richie made his long awaited comeback from injury to replace Thomas with 15 to go and the game looked comfortably in the bag.
Then the ref intervened, after a soft goal from Rathmichael, the ref awarded a penalty and gave Andre his marching orders, even though it was for a second yellow and he hadnt been booked in the first place. He protested in some colorful language and was sent off, Allenton down to 10 with 4 minutres to go and still a goal ahead. They held on and now almost certainly face higher Divison oppostion in round 3 as the majority of lower division sides have been knocked out...
Friday, September 17, 2010
Allenton 4 -2 Glenmalure Rovers
3 seasons of trying and a Challenge Cup win finally came Allenton's way in round 1, against Div 2a high flyers Glenmalure Rovers.
You could see they had come to take the victory and advance without too much to do and although Allenton had only 12 to choose from, they set the tempo early, with 2 great strikes including a left footer from Andre and the visitors were shocked.
They pulled it back to 2-2, although one was a dubious offside decision early in the 2nd half.
Allenton regained the lead through Bobby who finished well. Glenmalure were pushing for an equaliser when Bobby latched on to a ball on the halfway line and pulled back for Thomas to score and advance to round 2 against Rathmichael this Saturday.
You could see they had come to take the victory and advance without too much to do and although Allenton had only 12 to choose from, they set the tempo early, with 2 great strikes including a left footer from Andre and the visitors were shocked.
They pulled it back to 2-2, although one was a dubious offside decision early in the 2nd half.
Allenton regained the lead through Bobby who finished well. Glenmalure were pushing for an equaliser when Bobby latched on to a ball on the halfway line and pulled back for Thomas to score and advance to round 2 against Rathmichael this Saturday.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
2010-2011 August Round-Up
Back in 3a after a short spell in 3b and it seems like we've never been here before.
Only two of our opponents this season were around when we last hit the dizzy heights of 3a, Sportslink & Moorfield, with no less than 7 brand new clubs and 2 who have been relegated promoted since 09.
Having lost a few in the summer(Alex, Paul, Alan, John Paul), we gained a few also, in Adam(Splinter), Ian Monks, Paddy Cosgrove. Even still we've had to recruit help in the first few games as injury has taken its toll on Mick, Ian, Splinter,Paddy and Richie.
At this stage we have played 4 league games, one called off due to a team folding and another due to the crazy weather of Monday last. Here's a quick rundown
Springbank 2 - 2 Allenton
Having headed to Rathcoole Park on the back of some promising pre-season performances, we were hoping that our UCFL experience would help us overcome a young Springbank side. It looked that way for the most of the game. Thomas scored a header in the first half from a long throw, although he scored he doesnt really remember it as the keeper finished what he started and went through him.... Allenton cruising and Marc Gahan had some chances but the 2nd goal evaded us. Until Splinter, after a long ball found him on the edge of the opponents box early in the 2nd half, hit a speculative effort towards goal, which the Springbank keeper dropped in the net and helped cement the lead. Then we decided that the game was over, and let Springbank back in, scoring 2 from over the top of our back four and putting them level with little time left. We did try and push for the winner but to no avail and left with a bad taste in our mouths vowing revenge in the valley in the return fixture.
Brookfield Celtic 2 - Allenton Utd 3
Best way to describe this game is the villan/hero take on it. Billy had put Allenton ahead with a fine header, and we were cruising, 1-0 at half time and it looked like the only result. Brookfield came out fighting, nicked one back and after Bobby was stupidly caught in posession, we were 2-1 down and looking worried. Bobby redeemed himself after latching onto 2 seperate balls and cooly finishing twice to give us our first victory of the season in our first home game.
Huddleboard 0 - 5 Allenton Utd
With injury still hampering us, we welcomed back Paul and Alan, who helped make our next away and only midweek fixture of the early campaign a successful one. Tymon Park and for a change a nice evening, and opposition that could quote a squad of 27 made it a daunting task. But after Marc Gahan had turned in the first and the Huddle No.6 scored a spectacular headed O.G, the result was only heading one way.
In the second half, Andre added, a rare left footer, and Andrew got off the mark for the season, bringing the keeper one way and cooly passing it the other side of him. As is the standard, Alan came off the bench and grabbed a goal, making the result and clean sheet secure.
Allenton 2 - 3 Francis F.C
Francis F.C came to the valley and this always looked like an interesting clash, and it proved to be so. Francis had lots of experience and it showed, and they were value for their lead. Johnny Redmond blasted a ball straight into the top corner to make matters even and even though the visitors scored again, a breakaway move resulted in a tap-in for Marc Gahan to level the tie.
The hosts had a number of chances in the second half but the controversial penalty awarded by the ref who was standing at least 45 yards from the incident put paid to any hopes of a share of the points. A really good game of ball played in a tough but good spirited way and we look forward to the return in Brickfields later in the season.
Only two of our opponents this season were around when we last hit the dizzy heights of 3a, Sportslink & Moorfield, with no less than 7 brand new clubs and 2 who have been relegated promoted since 09.
Having lost a few in the summer(Alex, Paul, Alan, John Paul), we gained a few also, in Adam(Splinter), Ian Monks, Paddy Cosgrove. Even still we've had to recruit help in the first few games as injury has taken its toll on Mick, Ian, Splinter,Paddy and Richie.
At this stage we have played 4 league games, one called off due to a team folding and another due to the crazy weather of Monday last. Here's a quick rundown
Springbank 2 - 2 Allenton
Having headed to Rathcoole Park on the back of some promising pre-season performances, we were hoping that our UCFL experience would help us overcome a young Springbank side. It looked that way for the most of the game. Thomas scored a header in the first half from a long throw, although he scored he doesnt really remember it as the keeper finished what he started and went through him.... Allenton cruising and Marc Gahan had some chances but the 2nd goal evaded us. Until Splinter, after a long ball found him on the edge of the opponents box early in the 2nd half, hit a speculative effort towards goal, which the Springbank keeper dropped in the net and helped cement the lead. Then we decided that the game was over, and let Springbank back in, scoring 2 from over the top of our back four and putting them level with little time left. We did try and push for the winner but to no avail and left with a bad taste in our mouths vowing revenge in the valley in the return fixture.
Brookfield Celtic 2 - Allenton Utd 3
Best way to describe this game is the villan/hero take on it. Billy had put Allenton ahead with a fine header, and we were cruising, 1-0 at half time and it looked like the only result. Brookfield came out fighting, nicked one back and after Bobby was stupidly caught in posession, we were 2-1 down and looking worried. Bobby redeemed himself after latching onto 2 seperate balls and cooly finishing twice to give us our first victory of the season in our first home game.
Huddleboard 0 - 5 Allenton Utd
With injury still hampering us, we welcomed back Paul and Alan, who helped make our next away and only midweek fixture of the early campaign a successful one. Tymon Park and for a change a nice evening, and opposition that could quote a squad of 27 made it a daunting task. But after Marc Gahan had turned in the first and the Huddle No.6 scored a spectacular headed O.G, the result was only heading one way.
In the second half, Andre added, a rare left footer, and Andrew got off the mark for the season, bringing the keeper one way and cooly passing it the other side of him. As is the standard, Alan came off the bench and grabbed a goal, making the result and clean sheet secure.
Allenton 2 - 3 Francis F.C
Francis F.C came to the valley and this always looked like an interesting clash, and it proved to be so. Francis had lots of experience and it showed, and they were value for their lead. Johnny Redmond blasted a ball straight into the top corner to make matters even and even though the visitors scored again, a breakaway move resulted in a tap-in for Marc Gahan to level the tie.
The hosts had a number of chances in the second half but the controversial penalty awarded by the ref who was standing at least 45 yards from the incident put paid to any hopes of a share of the points. A really good game of ball played in a tough but good spirited way and we look forward to the return in Brickfields later in the season.
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