Unlucky 13 for Blackwater as they are swamped by Stradbally

LFA Shield Rd 5 

 Blackwater FC 2 

Stradbally Town 6 

STRADBALLY made the trip to the sunny south east on Sunday morning hoping to keep their good run of form going. That they did with the game essentially won in the first 13 minutes with the men in green getting off to a flying start. Jody Dillion capitalised on a mix up in the home six yard box from Benny Lawlor’s corner on three minutes to stab home from close range. He was on hand again on seven minutes when he connected with a fantastic cross from the left from Podge Fitzpatrick to rifle home from 12 yards.

Benny Lawlor was next in on the act on 13 minutes when Dillon slipped him though and he made no mistake with a fine low finish past the home keeper.

Blackwater to their credit steadied the ship for the rest of the half forcing Jack Larkin into a couple of good saves as well while Stradbally had more chances to kill the game but it remained 0-3 at the break.

With underfoot conditions becoming tough in the second half was going to be tough on both teams but to their credit both teams continued to play good football and the Wexford men grabbed a lifeline on 61 minutes when the Stradbally men switched off at the back post.

Stradbally were then awarded a penalty on 66 minutes but Jody Dillon seen his effort strike the post and the oncoming Colin Beale blazed over. It was 4 however on 75 minutes when Dillon picked up the ball from a Cillian Maher pass and as he bared down on goal he struck a sweet strike low to the keepers right from all of 22 yards for the goal of the game. To the home teams credit they came back again and grabbed a second on 80 minutes to make the last 10 a little interesting but once again the Stradbally Bench proved their worth with first Fionn McEvoy on 85 minutes and then John Clancy on 88 minutes converting fine individual goals to leave it 2-6 at the end and progression to the last 8 in the Leinster Junior Shield.

Much credit to the home side for a fine game and hospitality displayed afterwards in Blackwater Village.

For the Men in Green, Jody Dillon, Podge Fitzpatrick, Cillian Maher and Justin Lalor excelled in an overall very good team display.

Next up is another Cup game when Stradbally are on the road again next Sunday the 25th against Longford Rovers in Round 2 of the CCFL Counties Cup.

STRADBALLY TOWN: Jack Larkin, Colin Beale, Eamon Delaney, Jack Deegan, Podge Fitzpatrick, Conor Buggie, Justin Lalor, Cillian Maher, James Devoy, Benny Lawlor and Jody Dillon.

Subs: John Clancy for Lalor, Fionn McEvoy for Buggie, Ben Dillon for J Dillon, Charlie O’Brien for Fitzpatrick, Gavin Langton for Beale, Anto Skelly, Cailium Kelly, Noah Delaney.