Liam Jowett struck with just over ten minutes remaining to seal all three points for Enniscorthy at a rain and wind- swept Astro Active Centre on Wednesday night.
The home side had gone into the match with a narrow lead at the top of division seven and were hoping to extend their lead against the league's basement side. Manager Fraser Rothwell deployed his side in a 4-3-3 formation, with Pierce, Clive Rothwell, Ogilvie and Andrew Rothwell defending Graham Hill's goal. Jonathon Rothwell, Roy Chapman, and David Simmons were deployed across midfield, while Jason Rothwell, Ó Suilleabháin and McAlister provided the attacking threat.
The opening salvoes of the encounter saw Enniscorthy push forward aggressively, and the 'Gate defence had to be alert to the dangers provided, in particular from Ó Suilleabháin, playing against his former club. Indeed it was the Corkman who opened the scoring, following a blizzard of shots on the visitor's goal by his team-mates. The lively home crowd could be forgiven for expecting a flurry of goals to follow- score difference could yet prove to be decisive in the final standings of the league- but instead the setback seemed to stiffen the Dubliner's resolve. Strong goalkeeping provided a platform for an improving away team effort; while the visitors never took control of proceedings, the men in green played their best hockey in the middle third of the first half. Good work from Pierce and Clive Rothwell, in particular, kept the Enniscorthy goal secure. Jason Rothwell was enduring a frustrating time as the Wexford men lacked quality in the final third, over- hitting passes and on occasion attempting to work the ball down field in an over- elaborate manner. The Dublin side earned a numebr of short corners but never seriously threatened Graham Hill's goal. Enniscorthy, though, were able to re-assert control by the end of the half.
'Gate began the new half in a rather unorthodox manner, sending a high aerial deep into the Enniscorthy defence, where it was claimed by Ogilvie. From an attacking point of view that was about as good as it got for the Crumlin side, as the hosts were totally dominant by the end of the contest. Their grip on the game was hardly affected by the loss of Symmonds to injury; Robbie Walshe replaced him. In the personnel reshuffle that followed, Jowett (who had replaced McAlister) took up station on the right side of midfield, with Walshe up front and Ó Suilleabháin slotted into a midfield berth. The league leaders became more confident on the break and an air of inevitability came over proceedings.
The second goal broke the visitors. A long ball from defence found Ó Suilleabháin, who laid off to Chapman. Looking up, he spotted Jason Rothwell on the right; the his pacy ball found Jowett in the semi-circle, who was able to fire past the 'Gate keeper. Shortly after, the increasingly confident Jowett had an excellent chance to make it 3-0. Finding himself alone and in plenty of space at the top of the semi- circle, he attempted a dazzling reverse shot but sent the ball over the bar.
So the dream lives on for Enniscorthy: top of division seven, with three games left to play - all at what has become somewhat of a fortress at the Astro Active Centre. The prospect of a second league title in two years, and promotion to division six, is there for the taking.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; P.J. Pierce; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell (c); Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; Roy Chapman; Jonathon Rothwell; Jason Rothwell; Seamus McAlister; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Robbie Walshe; Kieran Costello; Ivan Rothwell; Liam Jowett.
The home side had gone into the match with a narrow lead at the top of division seven and were hoping to extend their lead against the league's basement side. Manager Fraser Rothwell deployed his side in a 4-3-3 formation, with Pierce, Clive Rothwell, Ogilvie and Andrew Rothwell defending Graham Hill's goal. Jonathon Rothwell, Roy Chapman, and David Simmons were deployed across midfield, while Jason Rothwell, Ó Suilleabháin and McAlister provided the attacking threat.
The opening salvoes of the encounter saw Enniscorthy push forward aggressively, and the 'Gate defence had to be alert to the dangers provided, in particular from Ó Suilleabháin, playing against his former club. Indeed it was the Corkman who opened the scoring, following a blizzard of shots on the visitor's goal by his team-mates. The lively home crowd could be forgiven for expecting a flurry of goals to follow- score difference could yet prove to be decisive in the final standings of the league- but instead the setback seemed to stiffen the Dubliner's resolve. Strong goalkeeping provided a platform for an improving away team effort; while the visitors never took control of proceedings, the men in green played their best hockey in the middle third of the first half. Good work from Pierce and Clive Rothwell, in particular, kept the Enniscorthy goal secure. Jason Rothwell was enduring a frustrating time as the Wexford men lacked quality in the final third, over- hitting passes and on occasion attempting to work the ball down field in an over- elaborate manner. The Dublin side earned a numebr of short corners but never seriously threatened Graham Hill's goal. Enniscorthy, though, were able to re-assert control by the end of the half.
'Gate began the new half in a rather unorthodox manner, sending a high aerial deep into the Enniscorthy defence, where it was claimed by Ogilvie. From an attacking point of view that was about as good as it got for the Crumlin side, as the hosts were totally dominant by the end of the contest. Their grip on the game was hardly affected by the loss of Symmonds to injury; Robbie Walshe replaced him. In the personnel reshuffle that followed, Jowett (who had replaced McAlister) took up station on the right side of midfield, with Walshe up front and Ó Suilleabháin slotted into a midfield berth. The league leaders became more confident on the break and an air of inevitability came over proceedings.
The second goal broke the visitors. A long ball from defence found Ó Suilleabháin, who laid off to Chapman. Looking up, he spotted Jason Rothwell on the right; the his pacy ball found Jowett in the semi-circle, who was able to fire past the 'Gate keeper. Shortly after, the increasingly confident Jowett had an excellent chance to make it 3-0. Finding himself alone and in plenty of space at the top of the semi- circle, he attempted a dazzling reverse shot but sent the ball over the bar.
So the dream lives on for Enniscorthy: top of division seven, with three games left to play - all at what has become somewhat of a fortress at the Astro Active Centre. The prospect of a second league title in two years, and promotion to division six, is there for the taking.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; P.J. Pierce; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell (c); Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; Roy Chapman; Jonathon Rothwell; Jason Rothwell; Seamus McAlister; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Robbie Walshe; Kieran Costello; Ivan Rothwell; Liam Jowett.
