Enniscorthy's uncertain form at the tail end of the season continued as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat away to North Kildare II on Saturday at The Maws. The league leaders travelled without Cathal Ó Suilleabháin, Glenn Chapman, Jason Rothwell, Chris St. Clair- Johnson, Greg Hawkins and Niall Maguire, and once again the disadvantages of a thin squad were apparent. Fraser Rothwell was able to pick relatively strong midfield and forward units, but experience was somewhat lacking at the back.
From the push- back, the hosts were the stronger, and the pace of the North Kildare forwards was proving difficult for the Slaneysiders to contain. Forays into the opposition half were initiated by defender Clive Rothwell, who connected well with Roy Chapman and Jonathon Rothwell. Edmundas Liukimas returned to the fray but in an unfamiliar midfield role, alternating with Robbie Walshe up front, but both found it to be a frustrating afternoon.
Having conceded a slew of short corners, Enniscorthy knew that their luck was unlikely to hold- though Graham Hill produced a spectacular save to deny the hosts- and the inevitable happened with just a minute to go before the break. A long, high ball into the visitor's 25- yard line eluded the onrushing Casey and Costello, and a ball swiftly moved across the into the semi- circle isolated Hill for an easy tap-in.
On the restart the game returned to a familiar tempo, with the Enniscorthy defence creaking under the pressure, and the host's lead doubled after forty minutes. The Wexford men struggled to clear the ball from inside the semi- circle and in the ensuing scramble North Kildare goaled. The afternoon went from bad to worse when the Slaneysiders conceded a third in similar circumstances. Both attacks had begun on the right as the hosts took advantage of a tiring Andrew Rothwell on the wing. A personnel reshuffle was called for, and Ivan Rothwell came on to make his men's team debut, lining out in the embattled defence. Jonathon Rothwell and Andrew Rothwell swopped positions, and Clive Rothwell pushed forward to bolster midfield alongside Roy Chapman. With these changes Enniscorthy began to force their way into the game and Jonathon Rothwell was making life difficult for the hosts with a series of mazy, jinking runs. Like Liukimas, though, all too often his runs were ended as a cluster of home defenders bottled the Enniscorthy men up. Forward Rory Maguire offered the visitors some hope, bundling the ball into the net to make the score 3-1 with ten minutes to go. That was as good as it got, though, and mid- table North Kildare ended as deserving winners.
Despite this poor overall display, there were some bright points for Enniscorthy: the return of Edmundas Liukimas, the attacking runs of Jonathon Rothwell, and the introduction of his brother Ivan, who put in a strong performance in his debut match. The squad will be hoping that performances for the remainder of the season improve.
Squad: Graham Hill; John Casey; P. J. Pierce; Clive Rothwell; Kieran Costello; Andrew Rothwell; Edmundas Liukimas; Roy Chapman; Jonathon Rothwell; Robbie Walshe; Seamus McAllister; Rory Maguire; Ivan Rothwell.
From the push- back, the hosts were the stronger, and the pace of the North Kildare forwards was proving difficult for the Slaneysiders to contain. Forays into the opposition half were initiated by defender Clive Rothwell, who connected well with Roy Chapman and Jonathon Rothwell. Edmundas Liukimas returned to the fray but in an unfamiliar midfield role, alternating with Robbie Walshe up front, but both found it to be a frustrating afternoon.
Having conceded a slew of short corners, Enniscorthy knew that their luck was unlikely to hold- though Graham Hill produced a spectacular save to deny the hosts- and the inevitable happened with just a minute to go before the break. A long, high ball into the visitor's 25- yard line eluded the onrushing Casey and Costello, and a ball swiftly moved across the into the semi- circle isolated Hill for an easy tap-in.
On the restart the game returned to a familiar tempo, with the Enniscorthy defence creaking under the pressure, and the host's lead doubled after forty minutes. The Wexford men struggled to clear the ball from inside the semi- circle and in the ensuing scramble North Kildare goaled. The afternoon went from bad to worse when the Slaneysiders conceded a third in similar circumstances. Both attacks had begun on the right as the hosts took advantage of a tiring Andrew Rothwell on the wing. A personnel reshuffle was called for, and Ivan Rothwell came on to make his men's team debut, lining out in the embattled defence. Jonathon Rothwell and Andrew Rothwell swopped positions, and Clive Rothwell pushed forward to bolster midfield alongside Roy Chapman. With these changes Enniscorthy began to force their way into the game and Jonathon Rothwell was making life difficult for the hosts with a series of mazy, jinking runs. Like Liukimas, though, all too often his runs were ended as a cluster of home defenders bottled the Enniscorthy men up. Forward Rory Maguire offered the visitors some hope, bundling the ball into the net to make the score 3-1 with ten minutes to go. That was as good as it got, though, and mid- table North Kildare ended as deserving winners.
Despite this poor overall display, there were some bright points for Enniscorthy: the return of Edmundas Liukimas, the attacking runs of Jonathon Rothwell, and the introduction of his brother Ivan, who put in a strong performance in his debut match. The squad will be hoping that performances for the remainder of the season improve.
Squad: Graham Hill; John Casey; P. J. Pierce; Clive Rothwell; Kieran Costello; Andrew Rothwell; Edmundas Liukimas; Roy Chapman; Jonathon Rothwell; Robbie Walshe; Seamus McAllister; Rory Maguire; Ivan Rothwell.
