Enniscorthy made a welcome return to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Navan II at East Glendalough School in Wicklow Town on Saturday. This was listed as a "home" fixture for the Slaneysiders and one in which victory was required to keep their title aspirations on track.
Despite the 1-0 defeat against Railway Union, the 4-4-2 formation adapted by manager Fraser Rothwell had worked well, and this time Enniscorthy lined up from the start with four at the back and in midfield. A strong central partnership of Jonathon Rothwell, Clive Rothwell, Roy Chapman, and Jason Rothwell provided an excellent attacking platform for the home side, and Enniscorthy had Navan on the back foot from early on. While the Slaneysiders were dominating posession, they were unable to break down the Badger's defence. As the Enniscorthy effort slackened, the Meath men grew in confidence and were becoming increasingly threatening in their forays into their opponents semi-circle. Excellent defensive displays, though, from John Casey and Keith Ogilvie, kept Navan at bay, though Hill was called upon on occasion to make some vital saves. Andrew Rothwell at wing back was afforded the opportunity to work his way forward and won a short corner in each half; the relative ease with which the Wexford men could create these opportunities stood in marked contrast with their previous outing. Furthermore, Seamus McAllister and Robbie Walshe were becoming increasingly influential up front as the half progressed. Midfielder Jason Rothwell made it 1-0 to bring his personal tally for the season to seven, and Enniscorthy supporters would have expected their side to press on. Instead, the league leaders relaxed, and Navan were able to exploit confusion in the Enniscorthy defence to move the ball into the goalmouth along the endline; an easy tap-in for Sravan Hunmula leveled the game.
Fraser Rothwell kept faith with 4-4-2 after the break, but his charges recognised that their opponents were being allowed too much time on the ball, and as a result were letting Navan take control of the game. Fortunately, a renewed concentration on their passing game turned the tables on the visitors in the second half. Impressive interplay between Chap- man, Jason Rothwell, and Clive Rothwell was increasing the danger for the Boynesiders, but the cutting edge was lacking up front; Rory Maguire and brother Niall both with chances to score. With ten minutes remaining Niall Maguire atoned for his earlier misses to restore Enniscorthy's lead- much to the relief of the home support. As the clock ticked down to the final minute, Navan were awarded a short corner and moved their entire team up to the edge of the Enniscorthy semicircle in search of an equaliser. After an unsuccessful first attempt, the push out was received by Shane Dooley, who was unable to steady himself and Enniscorthy held on to claim all three points.
After a week in which their closest neighbours, Wicklow, claimed the men's division seven and women's division thirteen titles, the league leaders look increasingly likely to claim silverware of their own.
Squad: Graham Hill; Rory Maguire; Niall McGuire; Robbie Walshe; Chris St. Clair- Johnson; Seamus McAllister; Jason Rothwell; Roy Chapman; Jonathon Rothwell; Andrew Rothwell; Kieran Costello; John Casey; Clive Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie.
Despite the 1-0 defeat against Railway Union, the 4-4-2 formation adapted by manager Fraser Rothwell had worked well, and this time Enniscorthy lined up from the start with four at the back and in midfield. A strong central partnership of Jonathon Rothwell, Clive Rothwell, Roy Chapman, and Jason Rothwell provided an excellent attacking platform for the home side, and Enniscorthy had Navan on the back foot from early on. While the Slaneysiders were dominating posession, they were unable to break down the Badger's defence. As the Enniscorthy effort slackened, the Meath men grew in confidence and were becoming increasingly threatening in their forays into their opponents semi-circle. Excellent defensive displays, though, from John Casey and Keith Ogilvie, kept Navan at bay, though Hill was called upon on occasion to make some vital saves. Andrew Rothwell at wing back was afforded the opportunity to work his way forward and won a short corner in each half; the relative ease with which the Wexford men could create these opportunities stood in marked contrast with their previous outing. Furthermore, Seamus McAllister and Robbie Walshe were becoming increasingly influential up front as the half progressed. Midfielder Jason Rothwell made it 1-0 to bring his personal tally for the season to seven, and Enniscorthy supporters would have expected their side to press on. Instead, the league leaders relaxed, and Navan were able to exploit confusion in the Enniscorthy defence to move the ball into the goalmouth along the endline; an easy tap-in for Sravan Hunmula leveled the game.
Fraser Rothwell kept faith with 4-4-2 after the break, but his charges recognised that their opponents were being allowed too much time on the ball, and as a result were letting Navan take control of the game. Fortunately, a renewed concentration on their passing game turned the tables on the visitors in the second half. Impressive interplay between Chap- man, Jason Rothwell, and Clive Rothwell was increasing the danger for the Boynesiders, but the cutting edge was lacking up front; Rory Maguire and brother Niall both with chances to score. With ten minutes remaining Niall Maguire atoned for his earlier misses to restore Enniscorthy's lead- much to the relief of the home support. As the clock ticked down to the final minute, Navan were awarded a short corner and moved their entire team up to the edge of the Enniscorthy semicircle in search of an equaliser. After an unsuccessful first attempt, the push out was received by Shane Dooley, who was unable to steady himself and Enniscorthy held on to claim all three points.
After a week in which their closest neighbours, Wicklow, claimed the men's division seven and women's division thirteen titles, the league leaders look increasingly likely to claim silverware of their own.
Squad: Graham Hill; Rory Maguire; Niall McGuire; Robbie Walshe; Chris St. Clair- Johnson; Seamus McAllister; Jason Rothwell; Roy Chapman; Jonathon Rothwell; Andrew Rothwell; Kieran Costello; John Casey; Clive Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie.
