Stradbally Town 5-2 Killavilla United
CCFL Division 3
There was a cracking contest to shake off the post Christmas cobwebs on Charter Road Sunday Morning as the home side hosted Roscrea side Killavilla.
Stradbally Town were first on the mark when John Clancy fired home from eight yards with a fine finish on six minutes and all looked good for the men in green.
Killavilla came right back into the game playing some nice football with their number nine the fulcrum of their attack and it was him who equalised on 22 minutes after a mix up in the home defence.
The rest of the half was an even affair but right on the stroke of half time the home time retook the lead through Benny Lawlor who slotted home from close range at the back post, to make it 2-1.
With underfoot conditions heavy it was great credit to both sides the level of play in the second period.
Stradbally had chances through Jody Dillon and Benny Lawlor to extend the lead but it was the Tipp men who Drew level again with a fine cross to Anto Shelly’s back post headed home on the hour mark.
This seemed to spring the Stradbally men back into gear and when Conor Buggie put Jody Dillon through on 66 minutes he made no mistake from 12 yards to make it 3-2.
The game was very much still in the balance with Killavilla still looking very dangerous in attack and both Jack Deegan and Eamon Delaney had to defend resolutely at times to maintain the lead.
The next goal was crucial and it was Dillon again on 73 minutes just getting to the ball ahead of the away keeper 16 yards out to delicately chip the ball to the roof of the net, a fine finish.
The points were made sure of on 85 minutes when Ben Dillon put the perfect cross in for Dillon to complete a 30 minute second half Hat-trick to leave it 5-2 at the end.
A terrific game despite the conditions with Killavilla contributing so much as well.
Both teams will hope to be still in the hunt for league honours when the reverse fixture comes around later in the season.
For Stradbally Colin Beale, Jody Dillon and James Devoy were top performers in an all round good team performance with a strong bench the difference in the second half.
Stradbally’s attention now turns to the last 16 of the Leinster Junior Shield where they Travel to Wexford & District league side Blackwater FC next Sunday in what is sure to be another terrific contest.
STRADBALLY TOWN: Anto Skelly, Colin Beale, Jack Deegan, Eamon Delaney, Podge Fitzpatrick, John Clancy, James Devoy, Cillian Maher, Benny Lawlor, Fionn McEvoy and Jody Dillon. SUBS: Justin Lalor for Maher, Conor Buggie for McEvoy, Eoin Buggie for Fitzpatrick, Ben Dillon for Clancy and Charlie O’Brien for Beale, Tadgh Mullen, Noah Delaney, Gavin Langton, Jack Larkin and Cailium Kelly
ELSEWHERE
In the Paddy Cotter Cup, Mountmellick United were eliminated in Round 1 by Willow Park while Clonalsee United got the better of Tullamore Town after extra time.
In the CCFL Shield, Mountmellick United B were knocked out by Cloneygowan Celtic but there was better news for the other two Laois teams.
Two goals from Niall Dunne saw Ballybrittas United defeat Killeigh 2-1 while Portlaoise Ramblers also progressed.
Goals from Scott Jestin (2), Liam Kitchen, Reece Reilly and Jason Bergin saw them defeat Tullamore Town B 5-0.
In league action, Rosenallis drew 3-3 with Ballymahon of Longford in Division 1.
While in Division 4, St Aengus won the all-Laois clash 3-1 as they beat Cappakeel FC.
Spink Celtic drew 2-2 with Killeigh B while Maryborough were beaten 3-0 away to Hollywood.
Under 17 Premier Division
Mullingar Ath 2 Edenderry Town 4
Portlaoise 0 Willow Park 2
Monksland Utd 1 Tullamore Town 5
Under 17 Division 1
Temple Villa 5 Clonaslee Utd 3
Frankford FC 3 Killavilla Utd 2
Under 19 Premier Division
Edenderry Town 2 St Peter’s 1
Tullamore Town 9 Mullingar Ath 0
Under 19 Div 1 North
Ballyboro 6 Temple Villa 4
Kinnegad Juniors 4 Inny FC B 1
Under 19 Div 1 South
Walsh Island Shamrocks 1 Banagher Utd 1
Killavilla Utd 1 Killeigh FC 4
Under 18 Women’s Division
Ballyjamesduff 6 Tullamore Town 4
Mountmellick Utd 4 Bealnamulla 4
LFA Senior Cup
St Peter’s 5 Dundalk 2
Paddy Cotter Cup 1st Round
Mountmellick Utd 1 Willow Park 2
Clara Town 5 Kinnegad Juniors 0
Tullamore Town 0 Clonaslee Utd 1 aet
Combined Counties Shield 1st Round
Gracefield Utd 7, Banagher Utd 2
Killeigh FC A 1 Ballybrittas Utd 2
Clara Town 4 Frankford FC 2
Mountmellick Utd 1 Cloneygowan Celtic 2
Portlaoise Ramblers 5 Tullamore Town 0
Senior Division
Mullingar Ath 1 Temple Villa 3
Division 1
Rosenallis 3 Ballymahon 3
Killavilla Utd 5 Mullingar Celtic 0
Division 2
Inny FC 1 Monksland Utd 4
Mullingar Ath 6 Moate Celtic 2
Division 3
Stradbally Town 5 Killavilla Utd 2
St Michael’s Ath 5 Walsh Island Shamrocks 2
Division 4A
Hollywood FC 3 Maryborough FC 0
St Aengus 3 Capakeel Utd 1
Spink Celtic 2 Killeigh FC 2
Division 4B
CRFC 0 Temple Villa 4
SEE ALSO – Laois childcare to reopen on Monday following two days of forced closure
