Los Zarcos too strong for Croatia Fermoy in Munster Junior Shield competition
The Los Zarcos side that had a 3-1 victory over Croatia Fermoy FC in their third round tie of the Munster Junior Shield at Banteer.
And if chances were counted, it could have been much more convincing as they squandered many gilt-edge opportunities.
The AUL side threatened from the off and it was not long before Croatia Fermoy’s Ilja Zagarac was forced into action when he had to produce a decent block from Colm O’Leary.
What a chance then fell for Los Zarcos when Hugh Linehan played in Alan O’Leary, but with the goal at his mercy, he failed to finish.
Los Zarcos continued to press and it was no surprise to see them nose in front when a lovely ball from Pa Dineen found Hugh Linehan in space to fire home his side’s opener on nine minutes.
Linehan had another chance minutes later when after stealing a yard on his marker, he drilled agonisingly wide of the far post.
A long ball played out of the defence had just too much on it for the threatening Luke Matrovic as O’Connor collected.
And after Colm O’Leary made Zagarac work to collect from his low effort, Mated Meakov’s effort from distance sailed over.
Then, from Mike Murphy’s free kick, the ball landed for Pa Dineen, but control let him down and with it, a chance.
Another great opportunity fell for Los Zarcos when Linehan set Alan O’Leary up with a neat pass, but he fired over with the goal gaping.
And when Los Zarcos winger Lyons broke with haste on the left, his effort beat the Croatia Fermoy keeper, but went inches past the far post.
Los Zarcos did have a narrow escape when Croatia Fermoy turned defence into attack as Meakov saw his effort come back off the butt of the upright before being cleared.
It was all square again on 35 when Baiselac struck an effort which came off Liam Cronin before wrong-footing O’Connor to nestle in the net and restore parity.
An immediate response from Los Zarcos saw Hugh Linehan collect from Pa Dineen before setting off towards goal, but after beating Zagarac with his low strike, the ball thudded off the upright before being cleared to safety.
Los Zarcos were awarded a penalty after Stephen Lyons was fouled inside the box, but from the spot, Pa Dineen failed to beat Zagarac.
Minutes later though, a delivery from a corner by Mike Murphy came for Joe Horgan who headed home to make it 2-1 to Los Zarcos at the break.
Los Zarcos stormed out of the blocks in the second period with Zagarac collecting from a low effort by Conor Corkery before Alan O’Leary was foiled by a decent save from the Croatia Fermoy net minder minutes afterwards.
It was not to be Alan O’Leary’s night for finding the target as he once again skimmed the upright with a low effort following an assist by Stephen Lyons.
Los Zarcos got their third when Hugh Linehan played it square for Corey Drummond to slam home from close range to sew the tie up at 3-1 for the AUL side.
Los Zarcos: Niall O’Connor, Liam Cronin, Conor Corkery, Shane Dineen, Pa Dineen, Mike Murphy, Alan O’Leary, Joe Horgan, Hugh Linehan, Colm O’Leary and Stephen Lyons.
Subs: Dave Kiely for Alan O’Leary (75), Evan O’Sullivan for Stephen Lyons (83), Cory Drummond for Joe Horgan (84).
Croatia Fermoy: Ilja Zagarac, Adilet Kanymet, Mated Melanovic, Steadan Petrak, Mated Meakov, Karlo Baiselac, Antonio Jose Delfino Campfos, Denis Kauscin, Markes Bajadoovis, Ailton Fuko Borges Shedes and Luke Matrovic.
Subs: No subs used.
Referee: Billy Noonan.
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