Portlaoise and Stradbally soccer clash decided by late goal

Portlaoise AFC came from behind to earn all three points at home to Stradbally Town on Sunday afternoon in Rossleighan Park. 

Portlaoise were the better team, but there was an element of luck to both of their goals, and Stradbally will be disappointed not to have come away with a draw. Sean Devoy was especially good for the visitors in a commanding performance at centre back.

Portlaoise AFC 2

Stradbally Town 1

CCFL Division 1

It has been a tough season in Division 1 thus far for these two very young sides. The win is just Portlaoise's third victory in ten games, while Stradbally have just one point to their name. It is worth noting, however, that Stradbally have only managed to line out five times, half that of Portlaoise.

The hosts got off to a great start, creating plenty of good opportunities in an impressive first 30 minutes. Elson Simao's electric pace was a problem for Stradbally as he bombed up and down the right wing. Ben Doyle showed off his footwork on the other wing, while Ronan Stapleton was excellent in midfield.

But the visitors absorbed the pressure well, with their experienced players - Damien Murphy, Podge Fitzpatrick and John Clancy - showing great leadership. 

Portlaoise had a fantastic chance to take the lead in the 33rd minute when Doyle played a great ball into the box, but Diarmuid Brosnan steered his shot wide. An incredible free kick from Pauric Cahill then drew and equally incredible save from Anthony Skelly, who somehow kept the ball out of the top corner.

Stradbally began to make inroads towards the end of the half, with Jack Langton and Liam Clancy seeing more of the ball out wide. And it was Langton who broke the deadlock in the 44th minute with a sublime finish from 20 yards, chipping the ball beautifully over Jack Pedro.

Ben Doyle almost had the ball in the net at the other end just seconds earlier, but it was cleared off the line by Conor Goode, allowing Stradbally to strike on the counter-attack. 1-0 at half time.

Portlaoise continued to dominate the game after the restart, but Stradbally again stood up well to the pressure. But with an hour played, the hosts had their equaliser through Jake Comerford. The ball broke in midfield with Portlaoise capitalising, finding Comerford in space who poked his effort beyond Skelly to draw the sides level.

Some nice interplay between Ben Dillon and Damien Murphy released Jack Langton, who almost gave Stradbally the lead again ten minutes later. He turned his man and got the shot away, which beat Jack Pedro but came back off the post and across goal before Portlaoise cleared their lines.

Then, with just six minutes of normal time remaining, Ben Dwyer put the hosts in front, Roberto Carlos style, curling the ball into the net with a right-footed corner kick. The goal was enough to give Portlaoise all three points.