Foxford……………….3 Charlestown……………….2
It was a game that St.Joseph’s should have got something out of. The Foxford manager said that the win by his team was daylight robbery and indeed all present would have to agree with him. A ‘flu epidemic robbed St.Joseph’s of stalwarts such as Matty Lenehan and Conor O’Toole,coupled with the non availability of John Drudy and Ivan Duffy and the retirement of Klim Radostev on the morning of the game meant life was not going to be easy!
The game started with Charlestown creating many chances but failing to convert their superiority on the scoreboard while Foxford with one of the Mayo Leagues best young players, Johnny Cocozza, took their first chance on thirteen minutes when the young striker found the net after a slip by Gary Horan. Cian Craig hurt his knee after 20 minutes and was replaced by the gallant Eoin Kelly who put in a great shift in an unfamiliar role at left back. Buoyed up by their early lead the home side doubled their advantage on 25 minutes, again Cocozza was involved. It was a strange goal in that it took an eternity to hit the net with the Charlestown custodian Horkan and his defence stranded. This was the last chance the home side manufactured as Horan and Sweeney gave nothing away from then on.
Two goals down meant that it was time to get to work! Robert Jordan started to rule midfield and Tommy Holton grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and really drove at the home team. It was a great Holton ball that found Cathal Horan on 26 minutes and his neat turn and shot was only helped to the net by the despairing home ‘keeper. The pressure continued and one minute later, incredibly, the teams were level at two goals apiece. This time Gary Horan bundled the ball to the net from a corner kick. Nearing half time Horkan got down smartly to his left to catch a goal bound shot.
St.Joes kept up the momentum at the start of the second half with Niall Kenny nearly finding the net with a powerful header. Cocozza came off injured for the home team and young Paddy Goldrick came on for the tiring Conor O’Donohue for St.Joes. Charlestown were now playing against a strong breeze but you would not think it as they virtually camped in the Foxford half for the whole 45 minutes of the second period. The chances were aplenty for the East Mayo boys but efforts from Hopkins, who had a great game, a towering Tommy Holton header which the Foxford keeper produced a wonder save from, a good Goldrick header as well as countless other half chances, most notably from McCudden, were not converted. With time running out Foxford, who were living off scraps, broke forward and a thunderous shot from all of 25 metres screamed into the top corner of the St.Joes net, a goal good enough to win any game and it did in this case. Time ran out for the away side but they fought bravely to the bitter end. (Swinford beat Elphin 3-1 in the other game in the group but were made to fight for it all the way as the Roscommon boys put up a great second half display).St.Joes are at home to Elphin on Wednesday.