Stradbally take the honours in local derby

CCFL Div 3 

Stradbally Town 4 

Portlaoise AFC 2 

A LOCAL derby on Charter Road Sunday morning saw the home team move top of the table after a very hard fought win against their near neighbours. Stradbally started slowly and it was the young Portlaoise side that had the better of the early exchanges and they took the lead on 24 minutes. They were dealt a blow on 34 minutes loosing a player receiving two quick yellows and the resulting red. Stradbally were level on 39 minutes after a great ball from the right found Conor Buggie in space in the area and he finished coolly past the advancing Conor Brown in the away goal. It got better for the home side on 43 minutes when Justin Lalor broke into the box and his looping shot deceived the keeper to put the home side in front.

2-1 at the Break.

Strong wind and showers dominated a lot of the second period but credit to both sides who continued to try play good football. Stradbally had the chance to increase the lead on 61 minutes after Benny Lawlor was taken down in the area however Brown pulled off a superb penalty save from Lawlor’s resulting spot kick.

2-1 is always a dangerous lead and Portlaoise punished the home side on 70 minutes when they headed home a set piece swung in from the left.

It was all to play for now again but when Jody Dillon sent Conor Buggie through on 77 minutes he superbly dribbled at pace nearly 30 yards and dinked a superb finish past the advancing Brown, a great goal from the Stradbally wide man.

The points were secured on 85 minutes when Benny Lawlor was put in and he arrowed a daisy cutter low to the Portlaoise net from 15 yards to put an end to a gutsy Portlaoise challenge.

A very important 3 points for the Stradbally men who face into another huge game next Sunday on Charter against fellow title challengers St. Michaels.

On today Conor Buggie, Colin Beale and Man of the match Jack Deegan impressed most in a good team display grinding out the result.

STRADBALLY TOWN: Anto Skelly, Colin Beale, Jack Deegan, James Devoy, Podge Fitzpatrick, Conor Buggie, John Clancy, Cillian Maher, Justin Lalor, Benny Lawlor and Jody Dillon.

SUBS: Noah Delaney for J Lalor, Ben Dillon for Maher, Sean Devoy for Beale, Liam Clancy, Tadgh Mullen, John Hayden, Cailium Kelly and Gav Langton.