Dixon strike earns point for Tycor at Crystal
The Tycor AFC team that salvaged a draw away to Waterford Crystal. Photo: Paul Elliott.
Dlyan Dixon scored a crucial equaliser to give Tycor a point against Waterford Crystal at Crystal Park on Wednesday night last. The home side took the lead, but Tycor bounced back to level things - and almost sneaked a last minute winner from a free kick.
However, a draw was the correct result as both teams fought hard and deserved to take something from the game. Tycor moved into mid-table after the draw, while Crystal drop into the relegation zone.
Both teams exchanged chances in the opening minutes, as Aidan Tracey set up Kieran O’Hanlon Fagan, but the Crystal striker saw his effort saved by Tycor goalkeeper Stefen McCurley. At the other end, Mouhamed Touham played in striker Walter Croke, but Crystal defender Aidan Holden was on the cover to make a goal-saving tackle.
On 20 minutes, a long throw-in by Holden dropped to Jake Mooney, however, Tycor goalkeeper McCurley dived low to his left to save the winger's strike. Midway through the first half a fine pass by Aidan Tracey released Fagan but, McCurley raced from his line to save at the striker’s feet.
On the stroke of half time, Charlie Power played the ball over the top for Walter Croke, the Tycor striker cut inside but from a good position he fired over the top.
Crystal opened the scoring five minutes into the second half when Jake Mooney won the ball in midfield and he played a delightful ball over the top of the Tycor defence. Kiernan O’Hanlon Fagan raced clear of the visitors defence and he placed a right foot shot beyond the advancing McCurley and into the far corner of the net.
Crystal were looking to consolidate their lead but Tycor struck back with an equaliser on 57 minutes. Good hold-up play by striker Darren Burke allowed him time to tee up Dylan Dixon and he curled a delightful strike past the diving Hubert Mullalley.
Back came Crystal and on 74 minutes Jake Mooney hit a goal-bound volley from 16 yards, but McCurley produced a flying one handed save to kep the sides level.
Tycor had two chances to score a second goal inside the closing ten minutes, on 87 minutes Charlie Power found striker Jack Power on the edge of the box but his right foot effort just cleared the crossbar.
In the last minute Tycor won a free kick on the edge of the box, Adam Sutton stood over the ball and his left foot strike was on target but Crystal keeper Hubert Mullally dived low to his right to push the ball out for what proved to be the last kick of the game.
Hubert Mullally Ruiz Granados, Aidan Holden, Wojciech Spyra, Thomas Lane, Barry Ryan, Jake Mooney, Jamie Purcell (Conor Walsh ‘66), Kieran O’Hanlon Fagan, Aidan Tracey (German Palacios ‘88), Cian Dunne.
Stefan McCurley, Cormac Ryan, Connor Rochford, Mouhamed Touhami (Jamie Walsh ‘35), Charlie Power, Dylan Dixon (Leon Hogan ‘75), Jack Power, Dylan Power, Jack Power, Darren Burke, Davi Simas Alves, Adam Sutton, Walter Croke (Eric Kubinski ‘63).
PJ O’Keffee. Assisted By Noel Purcell and Adam Walsh.
