Paul Phelan leads Ferrybank to Matt Stafford Cup final win
The Ferrybank team, management, family and fans celebrate their Matt Stafford Division 4 cup final win over Southend United in Ozier Park on Tuesday last.
Paul Phelan produced a Man of the Match performance as Ferrybank AFC overcame Southend United 2-0 in the Matt Stafford Division 4A Cup Final at Ozier Park on Tuesday night.
Southend played their full part in an entertaining and competitive final, but Phelan proved the difference between the sides. The Ferrybank striker opened the scoring before Adrian Rockett sealed victory with a second-half goal, allowing captain John Purcell to lift the Matt Stafford Cup.
The action began at a lively pace, with both teams looking to attack from the opening whistle.
Inside the first minute, Ferrybank nearly made the perfect start. Mark Dalton burst down the left wing and delivered a dangerous cross that Southend defender Kevin Boland was forced to cut out at the near post.
Southend responded immediately. David Griffin delivered two dangerous corners into the Ferrybank penalty area, creating confusion in the box, but Sean Flynn was alert on both occasions to clear the danger.
Ferrybank gradually gained control in midfield through the efforts of Ger Flynn and Adrian Rockett. On 12 minutes, Mark Dalton picked out Paul Phelan at the far post and the resulting opportunity fell to Darragh Cullen, but Southend goalkeeper Graham Cleary produced an excellent save.
Moments later, Vinny Heatherington got in behind the Southend defence and crossed for Dalton, whose first-time volley drifted wide.
Ferrybank came close again on 18 minutes. Heatherington's corner was met by Sean Flynn at the far post, and his powerful header appeared destined for the net until Cleary pulled off a magnificent save.
Southend nearly snatched the lead just before half-time. Griffin's corner dropped invitingly for Daragh Swaby at the far post. His volley took a deflection, but Ferrybank goalkeeper Gavin Power reacted well to make an important save at his near post.
Southend started the second half brightly. Another David Griffin corner caused problems and the ball broke to Gavin McLaurance, but his right-footed effort flashed wide of the far post.
Ferrybank then burst into life. Paul Phelan had two excellent chances to break the deadlock, lifting the ball over Graham Cleary on both occasions, only to see his efforts drift over the crossbar.
At the third attempt, however, he made no mistake.
On 42 minutes, Eoin O'Neill played a perfectly weighted pass forward and Phelan timed his run superbly to beat the offside trap before calmly rolling the ball beyond the advancing Cleary and into the net.
Southend committed more players forward in search of an equaliser, but that approach left spaces at the back. Ferrybank substitute Pal Kovacs had several opportunities to put the result beyond doubt, finding himself clear through on goal on three occasions. However, each time he failed to hit the target.
With Southend pushing high up the pitch in the closing stages, Ferrybank struck on the counter-attack to seal the win. Deep into stoppage time, Vinny Heatherington surged down the right wing and delivered an inviting cross to the near post, where Adrian Rockett arrived to finish superbly and make it 2-0.
The goal secured Ferrybank's victory and sparked celebrations among the Ferrybank players and supporters as they claimed the Matt Stafford Division 4A Cup.
Gavin Power, Patrick Dalton, Shane Mallon, Sean Flynn, John Purcell, Adrian Rockett, Mark Dalton, Ger Flynn, Vinny Heatherington, Darragh Cullen, Paul Phelan, Cian Tyler, Brian Kirwin, Pal Kovacs, Andrew Keogh, Michael Baldwin, Paddy Cassin, Alan Moran, Simonne Vatdifan.
Graham Cleary, Patrick Flood, David Walsh, Kevin Boland, Brian O'Donoghue, David Griffin, Dan O'Connell, Stephen McLaurance, Daragh Swaby, Mark Byrne, Gavin McLaurance.
Patrick Galibert, Thomas Stevenson, Shane Hayes, Lee Walsh, Jim Connors, Lee Hayes.
John Ferncombe, assisted by Adrian Scanlon and Paul Butler.
