Three Rock Rover 1

Enniscorthy           1

In a game that José Mourinho in his Chelsea days would be proud of, Enniscorthy’s men’s first XI earned a rare point in a tough, exciting game against table toppers Three Rock Rovers on Saturday. Enniscorthy – newly promoted to Leinster’s Division 3 – have struggled to get their feet in the division but after Saturdays performance they will have learned that with the right tactical approach, they can be the match for the best in their division.

From the first whistle the Dubliners were putting pressure on their visitors. Enniscorthy had to be alert to the threat that their opposition possessed. The Wexford men packed their half of the pitch making it as hard as possible for the Dublin side to find an easy pass. Dogged defence was needed and the centre back pairing of Glen Chapman and Simmons waswell up to the challenge. It was clear from the outset that it was going to be a day to roll up the sleeves and do some tough work. Midway through the half Three Rock eventually broke the deadlock when Stephen Findlater found himself on the end of a hard pass into the Enniscorthy semi circle, deflecting the ball past goalkeeper and captain Graham Hill.

Donal Doyle’s men were quick to counter attack through their speed merchants, Dunne and Durnan who were causing the home side plenty of difficulties. Three Rock, though, remained a threat, the Dubliners coming very close to doubling their lead when they earned a penalty corner, but despite their best efforts they could not beat Hill as he deflected the shot onto the post and out to safety. 

The first half of the game left Enniscorthy is a strong position. While the visitors had the lions share of the possession, it was clear to see that they were the more frustrated side as they could not take full control of the game. The defence and midfield players for the visitors were sticking to their men and making it as difficult as possible for the league leaders. For the remainer of the second half the extraordinary work rate of Doyle’s men was at the same level as it had been in the first half.

Rynhart almost made it all square from a ball across from Roy Chapman, but his shot went narrowly wide. Both sides continued to work hard with most of the pressure on the visitors goal. With 5 minutes to go Enniscorthy threw caution to the wind and went all out in search of an equaliser. It was to be left right to the death of the game before they could break down the Three Rock Rovers defence, when Enniscorthy were awarded a long corner with 24 seconds left on the clock. They had to act fast and they did, a reverse stick pass in from Andrew Rothwell to Roy Chapman who using 3D skill to get the ball past his opposite number and to the waiting Rynhart who took no time in splitting the posts as he struck the ball on the volley, beating the Dubliners defence with just one second left on the clock. Doyle and his men went out with a plan, stuck to it – and it paid off.

Enniscorthy’s focus will now turn to a double header next weekend as they welcome Weston 1^st to Enniscorthy for league action on Saturday and Bray 1^st on Sunday for a cup game. 

Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill, David Simmons, Andrew Rothwell, Ivan Rothwell, Glen Chapman, Roy Chapman, Niall Maguire, Aodán O’Leary, Seb Rynhart, William Durnan, Charlie Dunne, Jacob English, Craig Symes. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.