Moneypoint U15 A 2-2 Bridge United U15 A — Gallery Park
A top-of-the-table six-pointer lived up to every bit of its billing at Gallery Park this evening, as Moneypoint hosted Bridge United in a game both sides simply had to win.
Still smarting from their first defeat of the season against Ennis Town last week, Moneypoint knew a victory was essential to keep the pressure on at the summit. Bridge, for their part, needed the same result to stay in touching distance of top spot. The stakes produced the game of the season so far, with both teams going toe to toe from the first whistle.
Bridge started the brighter of the two sides, but Moneypoint grew steadily into the contest and drew first blood when Adam R met a Liam W corner and finished clinically from the edge of the six-yard box, giving the keeper no chance. The half stayed finely balanced, chances flowing at both ends, until Bridge levelled through a slick passing move.
Just before the break, Adam struck again — latching onto a huge kick-out from John C, riding a heavy challenge from the last defender, and admirably stayed on his feet to slot coolly past the advancing keeper. Moneypoint went in 2-1 up at half-time.
Bridge came out swinging after the restart and were level again within minutes, heading home from a corner. They kept the pressure on for the next ten and rattled the post, but Moneypoint dug in and took control of the closing exchanges, dominating the final 20 minutes. The home side struck the woodwork four times in that spell, including one heartbreaking effort that denied man of the match Adam R his hat-trick.
The game finished 2-2 — a result Moneypoint would have fully deserved to win. A superb team performance against an excellent Bridge side made for a cracking match, played in the right spirit throughout.
The draw ends Bridge's title hopes, while Moneypoint's fate remains in their own hands: victory over Ennis Town at home, combined with Bridge taking points off Ennis Town when they host them in a few weeks, would be enough for the league championship.
Next up: Saturday's Division 1 Cup semi-final away to Ennis Town at Lees Road.
A top-of-the-table six-pointer lived up to every bit of its billing at Gallery Park this evening, as Moneypoint hosted Bridge United in a game both sides simply had to win.
Still smarting from their first defeat of the season against Ennis Town last week, Moneypoint knew a victory was essential to keep the pressure on at the summit. Bridge, for their part, needed the same result to stay in touching distance of top spot. The stakes produced the game of the season so far, with both teams going toe to toe from the first whistle.
Bridge started the brighter of the two sides, but Moneypoint grew steadily into the contest and drew first blood when Adam R met a Liam W corner and finished clinically from the edge of the six-yard box, giving the keeper no chance. The half stayed finely balanced, chances flowing at both ends, until Bridge levelled through a slick passing move.
Just before the break, Adam struck again — latching onto a huge kick-out from John C, riding a heavy challenge from the last defender, and admirably stayed on his feet to slot coolly past the advancing keeper. Moneypoint went in 2-1 up at half-time.
Bridge came out swinging after the restart and were level again within minutes, heading home from a corner. They kept the pressure on for the next ten and rattled the post, but Moneypoint dug in and took control of the closing exchanges, dominating the final 20 minutes. The home side struck the woodwork four times in that spell, including one heartbreaking effort that denied man of the match Adam R his hat-trick.
The game finished 2-2 — a result Moneypoint would have fully deserved to win. A superb team performance against an excellent Bridge side made for a cracking match, played in the right spirit throughout.
The draw ends Bridge's title hopes, while Moneypoint's fate remains in their own hands: victory over Ennis Town at home, combined with Bridge taking points off Ennis Town when they host them in a few weeks, would be enough for the league championship.
Next up: Saturday's Division 1 Cup semi-final away to Ennis Town at Lees Road.
