Robbins goal seals Clara Town victory over table toppers

CCFL Senior Division: Monksland United 0 Clara Town 2

By John Dingle

Clara Town considerably boosted their chances of retaining the CCFL Senior Division title with this 2-0 away win over Monksland United at Cushla Park last Sunday afternoon.

After a scoreless opening half, the visitors struck for the first score within a minute of the restart. The lead was doubled later in the second half as the Offaly outfit moved into second spot, within a point of current table toppers Monksland with two games in hand.

The early pressure was exerted by Clara as the home team was penned back. Most of the danger was coming down the right flank where Robert Bracken was prominent and full-back Lee Tierney also overlapped when possible. There was little goalmouth action though as both teams struggled on their return to action.

Bracken had the first chance after 20 minutes and came closer moments later as Clara looked to be rewarded for their dominance on the scoreboard. The number seven took aim with a low shot from the right but Darren Costello made a great save at the expense of the first corner kick of the contest.

Monksland earned their opening corner after 25 minutes but were almost punished on the counter attack. United failed to take advantage from the corner and Lorcan Cornally raced clear but his shot was pushed behind at his near post by Costello.

The champions had to thank their goalkeeper for keeping the game scoreless after 33 minutes. Having been second best to date, Monksland had the opportunity to test the Clara defence from a set piece. David O’Brien delivered a free kick to Callum O’Brien but his header was acrobatically pushed behind by Conor Cushen.

Another corner followed for Tony O’Sullivan's men but both keepers ensured that the first half would remain scoreless. Another free, this time for Clara, saw Josh Fleming line up a strike but Costello reacted well to push the ball away from the target. Monksland's last chance of the half saw Dylan Jinks denied by Cushen while the action ended with Davy Minnock firing over for the visitors.

The second half started explosively with the deadlock being quickly broken. The game had just restarted when Clara took the lead. Substitute Neil Robbins had his shot pushed away but the danger still remained, and Robert McDonagh took advantage of some slack marking to drill a low shot to the net.

As the Athlone outfit looked to respond, David Fortune fired into the side netting and there could easily have been another three goals in quick succession as the game livened up. On 51 minutes, Bracken fired a shot off the post with the ball coming back into play.

A minute later, Jinks had an opportunity to level matters but fired straight at the keeper instead.

The action continued relentlessly as the woodwork again denied Clara doubling their advantage. It was Fleming's turn this time to be thwarted by the post. Jinks then again came close but saw his shot blocked. The action in the half receded a little thereafter. Monksland substitute Oisin McAuley firing wide as the game remained delicately balanced.

Clara then forced three corners in quick succession but the outcome was to hinge on a couple of key moments as the game headed into the last quarter of an hour. Monksland should have levelled matters but instead found themselves further in arrears as play swung from end to end. McAuley looked set to score when facing the keeper but instead opted to try and set up John Stapleton when a shot looked a better option. Stapleton did little wrong but a brilliant goal line clearance denied him as McDonagh got back to clear the ball behind.

The visitors took full advantage of the let-off by all but sealing victory on 77 minutes. Bracken set up Robbins who made no mistake to find the net. Fine margins dictated the destiny of the three points with Clara coming out on top.

There was little further action for the remainder as Monksland could not make the closing stages more interesting. Luke Dignam fired over for Clara with John Shine also off target for the home team. A Clara corner in stoppage time ended the action as the Offaly outfit claimed a crucial victory on their travels.#

The other big losers last weekend were Monksland's local rivals St Peter's who could have taken over top spot with a win in Ballinahown but instead returned home empty handed after suffering their first league defeat of the season.

Man of the match: Robert Bracken (Clara Town). The number seven was prominent from the start and set up the crucial second Clara goal which killed off the home challenge.

Monksland United: Darren Costello, Michael Harrington, Kevin Gaylard, David O’Brien, Callum O’Brien, John Stapleton, David Fortune, Matt Scally, Dylan Jinks, Sammy Oliveira, John Shine. Subs: Oisin McAuley for Fortune (58 mins); Jack Tiernan and Thomas O’Neill for Scally and Gaylard (87).

Clara Town: Conor Cushen, Lee Tierney, Pa Smith, Adam Kelly, Sean Tierney, Robert McDonagh, Robert Bracken, Davy Minnock, Lorcan Cornally, Luke Dignam, Josh Fleming. Subs: Neil Robbins and Eric Deehan for Minnock and Cornally (half-time); Stephen Deehan for Bracken (78 mins).

Referee: Damien McCormack (Mullingar).