
Originally Posted by
AlanOB
Pike Rovers 5-0 Aisling Annacotty (Tuohy Cup 1st Round)
Former Limerick FC youngster Reece Healy was the standout performer tonight, notching a hat-trick to send Pike Rovers through to the Tuohy Cup quarter finals.
Both sides lined up in a 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 formation. Aisling were using Dean McNamara in the number 10 role. The former Fairview man showed some good touches and took up some nice positions in space between the lines. His side however were unable or unwilling to bring him into the game to a sufficient degree, choosing instead to go direct to their big target man, which more often than not resulted in a loss of possession.
Defensively, Aisling didn’t give up many chances in the early going. They were, however, guilty of allowing Pike to play out of defence too easily. Pike’s centre backs, Gavin O’Shea and Pa Mullins, were given too much space and time to collect from goalkeeper Neville and pick their passes. It might have made more sense for McNamara to move up and join the striker in pressing them. Once the ball inevitably worked its way into midfield however, Aisling got into a good shape. Pike had only one chance in the first half hour, coming after 12 minutes. It was, however, a sign of what was to come – Healy ran onto a through ball from Dave Ryan, who was under no pressure in an inside right position. He hit the post when presented with the one-on-one.
As if to justify the call for more pressing from the front, Pa Mullins presented Aisling with their first chance on 24 minutes. Under pressure near the byline, he fluffed a clearance, playing the ball out to the edge of the box. Dean McNamara collected and forced Gary Neville into tipping his effort over the bar.
On 30 minutes however, the deadlock was broken in Pike’s favour. The Aisling left winger inexplicably handled a seemingly innocuous punt into the box. A harsh yellow card and a penalty, converted by John Tierney, followed.
Seconds later, Pike were 2-0 up. Reece Healy ran onto a ball into the inside left channel before cutting back inside, skinning his man, and firing home into the far corner.
Aisling visibly wilted. They did however have one chance before half time. Another failed clearance by Mullins under pressure led to the award of a free kick on the edge of the box. Centre midfielder Frahill went close with a powerful drive.
The second half saw Aisling come out of the blocks aggressively after what must have been a rousing team talk. On 52 minutes Pa Mullins was caught in possession just outside his box. The Aisling right winger was through on goal but shot wide with a narrow angle to aim for. Seconds later, Gary Neville was forced to tip over from another well struck long range effort.
The goal never really looked like coming though and Pike were looking more and more threatening on the counter attack as Aisling left themselves lighter at the back. On 71 minutes an Aisling attack broke down, allowing Reece Healy to get his second of the game by lifting the ball over the keeper before finishing on the line.
On 80 minutes another counter attack left a Pike substitute free behind the Aisling midfield. He picked the through ball to Healy who shot over.
A minute later though Healy had his hat-trick. Again Pike benefited on the break from no midfield protection. This time it was Boyle in space with the through ball. This time Healy made no mistake.
Healy was in exhibition form. On 86 minutes he turned on a sixpence beautifully on the edge of the box before shooting marginally over.
There was more pain to come for Aisling however. With two minutes remaining their left sided centre back was dispossessed just outside the box, allowing substitute Carroll to steal in for the fifth.
Aisling were thoroughly outclassed on the day. They may have been using the same shape as Pike, but due to having a big target man upfront rather than a pacey channel runner they operated it so differently. Many the long ball was played up that didn’t stick. Pike, on the other hand, were permitted to play through midfield before releasing Healy down the channels. His movement was outstanding with the only criticism being the number of offsides that he incurred. He could do with giving himself a few yards to run into, as he will surely outpace most defenders at this level. The offside count was also reflective however of how many through balls Pike were allowed to play. Once the second goal went in Aisling were forced to over-commit men forward and their transitions from attack to defence were just not good enough. The protection from midfield in front of the defence was non-existent at times.
Pike will be pleased with an admittedly expected victory. Concerns will be raised however about the performance of Pa Mullins. Although he dealt well with the physical threat of the opposition’s frontman, he was very loose in possession tonight. Similar mistakes could be punished in the future, particularly in the upcoming FAI Junior Cup fixture against rivals Janesboro. As for the Tuohy, a quarter final against Corbally awaits.
Bookmarks