Late Shelbourne spot kick puts paid to Mervue hopes

Mervue United 0

Shelbourne FC 2

First Division league leaders Shelbourne continued their one hundred per cent record over Mervue Utd as they recorded a competent 2-0 win and their ninth straight success over the home side at Fahy’s Field on Friday night. Although it took the concession of a late penalty to finally give the Dublin side a bit more comfort, as the home side pressed hard for an equaliser throughout the second half without reward.

Johnny Glynn made only one change from the previous week’s away draw with Longford as James Casserley returned from injury with Damien O’Rourke dropping to the bench. Alex Lee had the first shot of the game after five minutes but Dean Delany claimed his on target effort comfortably.

Shelbourne began controlling possession after this with David Cassidy in central midfield and Brendan McGill out wide dictating matters. Cassidy had the first real chance of the game in the ninth minute, when he raced into the box from a Phillip Hughes ball but his effort was blocked by Mervue skipper Martin Conneely with Ger Hanley collecting Conan Byrne’s cross from the loose ball.

Mervue responded by breaking down field with John Mountney playing a ball out wide to Dave Goldbey, whose return cross into the box was met by the in rushing Mountney but his header sailed narrowly wide of Delany's post.

On 20 minutes an unmarked Colm James then shot over from a central position after he got on the end of a McGill cross from the right which was missed by Casserley who slipped as he attempted to clear the ball. Cassidy then wasted another good opportunity two minutes later shooting over after a ball over the top by Hughes set him up.

There was a chance at either end following that as Goldbey just couldn’t get a vital touch on a dangerous ball into the box from Lee, while McGill chipped over at the other end following another excellent through ball from Cassidy. The midfielder then flashed a stinging drive just past Hanley's post as Mervue failed to clear the ball on two occasions before it broke to the Shelbourne player on 37 minutes.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.