Ace Sports Awards Masters Shield Final
Newbridge Town AFC 3 Arlington FC 1
The stage was set at a neutral venue in Monasterevin, where Arlington Over 35s from Division 2 of the Masters took on recently crowned and unbeaten Division1 Champs Newbridge Town in the Ace Sports Awards Masters Shield Final. Despite the gulf in league positions—Newbridge having stormed to the Division 1 title, while Arlington "currently" near the bottom of Division 2—the game was far from a walkover.
Arlington lined up with Maurizio Riozzi between the posts, Lorcan Carey at left-back, and John Gallagher on the right. The centre-back pairing was the ever-reliable John Keogh (captain) and Emmet Geoghegan. Across the midfield were Darren Conway, Joe Tully, Joe Gorman, James Roche, and Trevor Byrne, with Daryl Foy leading the line up front, despite carrying a knock.
The first ten to fifteen minutes were a cagey affair as both teams felt each other out. Arlington held their own, with Joe Tully earning himself a yellow card early on, despite the setback, Riozzi ( Maurizio Riozzi )pulled off an outstanding triple save, one for the highlight reels, as he kept Newbridge at bay.
However, Arlington’s clean sheet was living dangerously, with the woodwork getting a fair few tests courtesy of Milton Benitez and Dave O Riordan. Midway through the first half, Newbridge capitalized on a corner, with their former international Milton Benitez rising high to head home following a Robbie Donnelly effort which rebounded off the crossbar. 1-0 to Newbridge Town.
Arlington responded by growing into the game, trying to play their brand of football, but a costly error while playing out from the back saw Newbridge pounce for a second just before the break through the impressive Thomas McLoughlin. At 2-0 down, it could’ve easily slipped away, but Arlington’s spirit was clear as they regrouped at half-time.
The second half began with fresh legs and a shift in the system, as Keith Langford came on up top. Controversy almost followed when a Newbridge player went down injured. As Arlington returned the ball, a mis control by the Newbridge defender saw Keith Langford seize the opportunity to press, nearly catching them out.
This marked Arlington’s best spell of pressure. John Gallagher came close with a header into the side netting, and Keith Langford had a shot blocked. Joe Tully and Joe Gorman kept the midfield ticking over, linking up play and sending lovely passes into dangerous areas, but luck wasn’t on Arlington’s side.
As time ticked on, substitutions made an impact. Zacca, with fifteen minutes left, whipped in a pinpoint corner that found Emmet Geoghegan at the back post, who nodded it home to bring Arlington back into the game at 2-1, putting the minimum between the sides. The comeback was on, and Newbridge knew they were in a fight.
Riozzi, who had been superb all match, was forced off after another sequence of fine saves. Moments later, Newbridge’s star man, Milton Benitez, delivered the knockout blow with a stunning effort, his second of the game, making it 3-1 with just five minutes remaining. Arlington had done well to keep him quiet, but his class showed in that moment, leaving no chance for replacement keeper Mark Walsh.
Arlington’s challenge was made steeper when Akos saw red in the dying moments, reducing them to ten men. Despite this, the team fought to the final whistle, giving everything they had. Best for the winners were Milton Benitez, Thomas McLoughlin and Captain fantastic Dave O Riordan, while special mention must go to Arlington’s John Gallagher for his valiant effort in keeping Benitez, arguably the best player in the league, under wraps for much of the match—no easy feat. The entire Arlington squad showed immense heart, from the starting XI to every substitute who came on. In the end, it wasn’t to be, but the lads left it all on the pitch, proving they can mix it with the best and did Arlington proud. Their best were Maurizio Riozzi in goal, John Gallagher at right back and Emmet Geoghegan at centre half.
Comments