FAI Intermediate Cup
St Mochtas FC-2
Hartstown Hunstown-1
The Saints marched into the second round of the FAI Intermediate Cup thanks to victory in a Blanch derby on Wednesday night.
One of the favourites to win to lift the trophy come May of next year saw off a plucky Hartstown Hunstown to progress along the Road to the Aviva.
A Sean O’Reilly finish with 13 minutes to go did threaten to set up a tense finale, but despite a spirited performance from their near rivals Mochtas progressed to the next round in relatively routine fashion.
The hosts came out of the blocks firing and when they went two to the good after 17 minutes a rout looked on the cards.
Not long after Kenny Carr had tested the Hartstown keeper Mark O’Neill was breaking the deadlock. The former Tolka Rovers midfielder scoring the first of the game and his first of the season after a neat interchange with Carr.
Just over 10 minutes later and after a spell of press the Saints were two to the good. Luke Kelly let fly from range and his powerful effort ended up in the back of the net.
Indeed, but for two Craig Hyland saves one a brilliant one from Ian Brazil the visitors could have restored parity before the turn.
The start of the second half had no real flow, with Kelly coming close but Hartstown winning a number of set pieces in threatening areas.
The hosts did look the more likely with only good defending denying the lively Carr and Karl Somers firing just wide after a fine team move.
Somers then saw a headed effort cleared off the line as Mochtas pushed for the nail in the coffin strike.
Then with 13 minutes remaining Sean O’Reilly fired home to give the away side hope of an upset, but it was Mochtas who finished the strongest hitting the bar via Noel Murray, going close via Dennis Morrison and eventually progressing to the next round.
FT: @stmochtasfc 2-1 @HHFC2013 @DublinGazette @FAIreland @LSLLeague @NBFootball #IntermediateCup1stRound #LocalDerby #sportsphotography #Soccer pic.twitter.com/tMfROqdBWK
— Martin Doherty (@martydot2) September 26, 2018
