STED-BLAST
Darbey ousts United
March 7th 2000. The Star.
FC Ailesbury 1 - Stedfast United 0
PROMOTION-chasing FC Ailesbury ended the hopes of holders Stedfast United on Saturday to
book their place in the final of the Irish Life Challange Cup at Tolka Park (7:30pm) on
March 24. The Division One side put paid to the hopes of Premier Division leaders Stedfast
with this solitary goal win at Santry Avenue to advance to their first ever appearance in
the United Churches League's showcase Cup final. The all-important winner came just ten
minutes into the second half. And it was a strike worthy of winning any game. A cracking
long-range pass over the top of the Stedfast defence from Ken Brown found Alan Darbey.
Delightful
He spotted Derrick Dunne off his line and produced a delightful chip over a helpless
back-tracking keeper. Dunne really had no chance such was the accuracy of Darbey's effort.
And afterwards Ailesbury player-manager Ronan Brazil was naturally delighted with the
outcome. "Our game plan was to hassle and close down Stedfast. And I think we did that
very well. We kept our tempo throughout the match" he said. "Once we got the goal we
managed to hold on. But everyone on the team worked hard for this win. It's our first
time to appear in the final and we are absolutely thrilled." Yet having taken the lead,
Ailesbury were forced to endure some very nervy moments, especially in the closing stages
as Stedfast made a determined bid to hold onto the trophy they had won by beating Strand
United 3-0 last May in Dalymount Park. The hearts of not only the Ailesbury players but
also those on their line must have missed a beat when in the last second of the game Kevin
Norris broke clear and shot across the face of the goal but somehow the ball didn't go
into the net. In the 89th minute, Gary Whyte also looked like grabbing the equaliser but
Ian Brennan produced a vital clearance off the line. That nervous finale was nearly
avoided when in the final minute of normal time Gary Cope broke clear from the halfway line
and looked favorite to make it 2-0, but he shot into the side-netting with Dunne beaten.
Chances
Certainly Ailesbury had the chances to build on their advantage. In fact their goal
suddenly opened up a game which prior to half time had failed to sparkle.
STEDFAST
: Derek Dunne, Ken O'Reilly, Eugene Long, Darren Kavanagh, Joe Reynolds,
Aidan Delaney, John Kingston, Kevin Norris, Garry Whyte, Robert Doyle, Henry Fox.
Subs : Karl Walsh for Kingston (56 mins), Danny Whyte for Long (60 mins), Thomas Kavanagh for O'Reilly (73 mins).
REFEREE: Chris O’Neill.