Enniscorthy's men gained some measure of revenge for their narrow cup quarter final defeat at the hands of Sunday's opposition when putting Dublin's Pembroke Wanderers VI to the sword at the Astro Active Centre.
The loss of midfield playmaker Glenn Chapman to injury midweek forced manager Fraser Rothwell into a personnel reshuffle, with Costello moving to an unaccustomed left midfield slot, Jonathon Rothwell on the opposite side, and Roy Chapman occupying the centre in a 4-3-3 formation.
The visitors made the brighter start, taking advantage of numerical superiority in the centre of the pitch. However, Pembroke lacked a cutting edge in the final third, Clive Rothwell and Keith Ogilvie responding well to Wanderer's attacking thrusts. A counterattacking game gradually developed, with both sides capable of causing each other concern, and it was Enniscorthy who fortuitously took the lead with an own goal in the midst of a goalmouth scramble.
This seemed to settle the home side somewhat, who appeared nervous and unable to bring width to their game in their last home match of the season. A second followed shortly after, Jonathon Rothwell pushing a short corner out to Clive Rothwell, who swiftly passed it left to Roy Chapman. Working calmly in the teeth of the onrushing Pembroke runners, Chapman smashed the ball past the visiting 'keeper.
Further pressure from Enniscorthy allowed Niall Maguire to strike his eighth of the season, to make the scoreline 3-0. A brief flurry of Pembroke pressure resulted in a brace of short corners, but the home defence stood firm. Fortune smiled on the hosts as Pembroke goaled, only for it to be disallowed. Costello then hobbled off through injury and quick thinking was required from the Enniscorthy sideline, Niall Maguire taking up his midfield position.
The mood was upbeat in the Enniscorthy camp at half time, and indeed the home side began the second half in confident fashion. Gradually, though, the Dublin 4 team began to assert themselves, and home goalkeeper Graham Hill was forced into action on a number of occasions. Pembroke had an experienced spine to their side, featuring a number strong runners on the ball; disrupting their moves proved difficult and the Wexford men were giving their supporters plenty of nervous moments.
In an attempt to shore up the defence, Enniscorthy switched to 4-4-2, O Suilleabháin and Rory Maguire initially acting as the danger men. This move proved an inspired one, and Andrew Rothwell, Clive Rothwell and Jason Rothwell worked hard to push forward, producing some impressive interplay with Ó Suilleabháin and Niall Maguire in particular. Battling performances were also evident from Jonathon Rothwell and McAllister. Still, the absence of the bustling Edmundas Liukimas- who had created serious difficulties for the Pembroke defence in the two sides first league meeting earlier in the season- was keenly felt.
Despite this, the visitors continued to work hard for a foothold in the game, and Marcus Blake- college teammate of Enniscorthy's Andrew Rothwell- scored for Pembroke to make it 3-1. It was no more than Wanderers deserved, and the scoreline could have been quite different had luck been on their side- though the home defence and Hill were producing some fearsome displays. His counterpart in the Pembroke goal was also in good form. However, that was as good as it got for the visitors and Enniscorthy claimed all three points.
The league debutants now hold an eight- point lead at the top of Leinster division eight, with a game in hand over their nearest challengers, Railway Union V. The green and yellows provide the next opposition and should prove a stiff test after coming form behind to draw at the Astro Active Centre in early December.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell; Greg Hawkins; Jonathon Rothwell; Roy Chapman; Kieran Costello; Seamus McAllister; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Jason Rothwell; John Casey; Rory Maguire; Niall Maguire; Robbie Kavanagh.
The loss of midfield playmaker Glenn Chapman to injury midweek forced manager Fraser Rothwell into a personnel reshuffle, with Costello moving to an unaccustomed left midfield slot, Jonathon Rothwell on the opposite side, and Roy Chapman occupying the centre in a 4-3-3 formation.
The visitors made the brighter start, taking advantage of numerical superiority in the centre of the pitch. However, Pembroke lacked a cutting edge in the final third, Clive Rothwell and Keith Ogilvie responding well to Wanderer's attacking thrusts. A counterattacking game gradually developed, with both sides capable of causing each other concern, and it was Enniscorthy who fortuitously took the lead with an own goal in the midst of a goalmouth scramble.
This seemed to settle the home side somewhat, who appeared nervous and unable to bring width to their game in their last home match of the season. A second followed shortly after, Jonathon Rothwell pushing a short corner out to Clive Rothwell, who swiftly passed it left to Roy Chapman. Working calmly in the teeth of the onrushing Pembroke runners, Chapman smashed the ball past the visiting 'keeper.
Further pressure from Enniscorthy allowed Niall Maguire to strike his eighth of the season, to make the scoreline 3-0. A brief flurry of Pembroke pressure resulted in a brace of short corners, but the home defence stood firm. Fortune smiled on the hosts as Pembroke goaled, only for it to be disallowed. Costello then hobbled off through injury and quick thinking was required from the Enniscorthy sideline, Niall Maguire taking up his midfield position.
The mood was upbeat in the Enniscorthy camp at half time, and indeed the home side began the second half in confident fashion. Gradually, though, the Dublin 4 team began to assert themselves, and home goalkeeper Graham Hill was forced into action on a number of occasions. Pembroke had an experienced spine to their side, featuring a number strong runners on the ball; disrupting their moves proved difficult and the Wexford men were giving their supporters plenty of nervous moments.
In an attempt to shore up the defence, Enniscorthy switched to 4-4-2, O Suilleabháin and Rory Maguire initially acting as the danger men. This move proved an inspired one, and Andrew Rothwell, Clive Rothwell and Jason Rothwell worked hard to push forward, producing some impressive interplay with Ó Suilleabháin and Niall Maguire in particular. Battling performances were also evident from Jonathon Rothwell and McAllister. Still, the absence of the bustling Edmundas Liukimas- who had created serious difficulties for the Pembroke defence in the two sides first league meeting earlier in the season- was keenly felt.
Despite this, the visitors continued to work hard for a foothold in the game, and Marcus Blake- college teammate of Enniscorthy's Andrew Rothwell- scored for Pembroke to make it 3-1. It was no more than Wanderers deserved, and the scoreline could have been quite different had luck been on their side- though the home defence and Hill were producing some fearsome displays. His counterpart in the Pembroke goal was also in good form. However, that was as good as it got for the visitors and Enniscorthy claimed all three points.
The league debutants now hold an eight- point lead at the top of Leinster division eight, with a game in hand over their nearest challengers, Railway Union V. The green and yellows provide the next opposition and should prove a stiff test after coming form behind to draw at the Astro Active Centre in early December.
Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell; Greg Hawkins; Jonathon Rothwell; Roy Chapman; Kieran Costello; Seamus McAllister; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Jason Rothwell; John Casey; Rory Maguire; Niall Maguire; Robbie Kavanagh.
