February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By three goals to nothing, Rovers won a hard fought game last weekend against Islip with a determined performance to remain top of the league.
Sweeper Kevin Daly opened the scoring after a superb pass from Danny Parkin.
At the half the score was 1-0.
On the restart, Islip was forced to attack and Rovers exploited on the counter attack. Chris Sims and Dave Pettitt worked well down the right, while John O’Hagan gave the team width on the left. Up front Andy Hill excelled, and when clean through he was scythed down, resulting in a red card for the Islip defender. Unfortunately the ref then saw fit to eject Parkin for an unknown reason, but on 75 minutes, Rovers made the game safe when Hill crossed to Stuart Duffin to side foot home.
Damien Dunleevy then played a one-two with Duffin and rounded the keeper for an outstanding third goal.
Coach Mark Hopper was pleased with the win but reminded all that there is a long way to go yet.
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Islip Reserves 3
Rovers Reserves 0
A shock defeat for Rovers, whose lead at the top is now only two points. Islip played the better football and despite an excellent performance from John Browne, Rovers made too many mistakes and were punished for them.
Islip over 30s 1
Rovers 1
The over 30s played some superb football but didn’t take their chances and when Islip scored early in the second half it looked like being one of those days. Then with five minutes left, Joe Behan crossed for big Dave Quigley to head home the equalizer.
Quigley almost stole the show with an overhead kick in injury time, but a draw was a fair result.
Want to play for or support the Irish Rovers? Call Kevin Flynn at (718) 729-9720.