Second-half strike proves difference as Mountmellick scrape through

FRANKFORD UTD.................................0

DENSE, persistent fog did not stop these two teams serving up a cracking encounter at Conor Davis Park in the first round of the CCFL Red Shop Division Four Cup.

In the finish, it was Mountmellick who look forward to a place in the next round.

There were exciting attacking players aplenty, not least David Pedro on the left wing for Mountmellick and second half substitute Ciaran Slevin for the visiting side from Kilcormac, Co Offaly.

Despite plenty of endeavour, the first half produced precious few chances but in the five minutes of the second, there were opportunities at both ends.

First Frankford went close with their first attack of the half and then Mountmellick thought they had taken the lead when visiting goalkeeper John Deevey reached high for a cross but could only turn it towards his own line.

Deevey scrambled for it again and palmed it away but several of the Mountmellick contingent were convinced the ball had crossed the line, though it was very difficult to make such a close call.

The game's only goal arrived in the 66th minute when Ronan Bishop broke up a Kilcormac attack and sent the ball forward where Dunne located Sean O'Driscoll and he shot home with a super finish from outside the box.

Kilcormac were frustrated in that second half by a series of hand-ball claims and in the end had Stephen Buckley sent off for dissent as Mountmellick held out in added time.

MOUNTMELLICK UTD: Darren Kenny; Mick Carroll, David Nevin, David Forde, Ronan Bishop, Tony Smith, Darren McDermott, Paul Davis, Sean O'Driscoll, David Pedro, Eamon Dunne.

FRANKFORD UTD: John Deevey; Brian Flynn, David Murray, Graham Melia, Jonathan Martin, Ciaran Davern, Stephen Buckley, Donald Guinan, Alan Craven, Paul Mitchell, Mark Mitchell. Subs: Ciaran Slevin for Donald Guinan (52 mins), Justin Guinan for Paul Mitchell (60 mins).

Referee: D Farrell (Offaly Branch).