Walkinstown United 5-2 Maynooth Town

Walkinstown started the brighter with some neat passing and solid defending. The first goal came early when some lovely one touch passing found Sexton at the edge of the box and he dragged his shot across the face of the goal to give Walkinstown a deserved lead. Maynooth almost replied immediately when their striker went one on one with Tracey. Tracey left his line early and although the striker rounded the keeper he was forced to an awkward angle. He still managed to lift the ball up and over the keeper only to find Ainscough heading clear on the line. Walkinstown's second goal was a contender for goal of the season. Sexton got the ball from 45-50 yards out and let fly. The ball cannoned off the under side of the cross bar and went in. An amazing strike. Soon after, Jimmy Byrne set Hogan free down the left. He did well to keep the ball in play, beating 3 defenders in the process and switching the play to Oliver who played in Barry Smith. Smith then pulled the ball back to Sexton and he completed his first half hat-tick with a carbon copy finish of his first goal.

Walkinston set out in the second half as they did in the first. Maynooth tried to go at The Town with a bit more urgency but could not break down the back line. Walkinstown then had a corner which failed to beat the first man. However, the clearance fell to Jimmy Byrne who floated a quality ball into the area for Smith to send a glancing backwards header looping over the keeper to make it 4-0 and seal the victory. Jimmy Byrne let fly on 70 minutes with a low drive from 25 yards to make it 5-0 and a very comfortable cushion. Walkinstown were then forced to make 3 changes with Sexton, Barret and Hogan all replaced by Devlin, Paky and Brian Smith. With 10 minutes left, Ainscough played a square ball to Lawson only to see the Maynooth striker come round the blind side and head one on one with Treacy. The striker let fly early to catch Treacy by surprise and the ball smashed in the back of the net. With 5 minutes remaining the ref adjudged Robbie Byrne to handle in the box when the ball cannoned off his face. Treacy got a hand to the resulting spot kick but could not keep it out. It was to stay this way in what was a brilliant performance from the home side.


















































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