Second-half goal show sees Portlaoise AFC get the better of Newbridge

Three second half goals, including a brace from captain, Jason Murphy, handed Portlaoise AFC a vital three points on Tuesday night. Newbridge were in complete control for the first 45 minutes in Rossleighan Park, but they did not make the most of their chances and the hosts punished them after the break. 

Portlaoise made three changes to the team that lost last time out against Ayrfield United. Niall Doran, Cathal Hewitt and David Doyle made way for Jason Woods, Paul Cahillane and the returning Murphy.

Portlaoise AFC 3 

Newbridge Town 1

Leinster Senior League

The visitors were on top for the first 15 minutes, without creating anything to trouble Kacper Banasik in the Portlaoise goal. Conor Brady was looking like the biggest threat for Newbridge. He played a lovely ball in to Stephen Millane in the 20th minute but he was well-marshalled by Woods. Brady looked to go himself moments later but found no way past Aidan McGovern.

Portlaoise finally settled into the game after half an hour, with Aaron Rafter and Paul Cahillane getting on the ball in the middle of the park. However, the first gilt-edged chance of the game fell to Brady in the 35th minute, but Banasik saved with his feet.

Brady made up for his one-on-one miss just two minutes later. He got onto a lovely ball from Josh Owens, turned two defenders, and finished calmly into the bottom left corner. Unbelievably, the Newbridge striker could have had a hat-trick of goals after this, but could not get the better of Banasik. 

Portlaoise were a new team in the second half and were back on level terms less than five minutes after the break when Murphy’s free kick curled beautifully into the top corner from 20 yards. 

The hosts changed things up slightly at half time, with Cahilane dropping deeper, creating more space in midfield for Rafter and Poole. After half an hour of dominance, Portlaoise got their noses in front when Oisin Fitzpatrick got to a Murphy corner at the near post and hit an amazing glancing header into the net.

Just five minutes later and they were in for their third. Substitute, Evan Hewitt played a delightful ball to Chris Mulhall, who controlled expertly before squaring it to Murphy who left Emmanuel Phillips with no chance.

Newbridge came to Rossleighan Park with little to play for. The Kildare side lie in 6th place, ten points adrift of Inchicore Athletic with too few games remaining to catch them. 

In stark contrast, Portlaoise are fighting for their lives at the bottom of Division 1A of the Leinster Senior League. Darren Rogers' side are now just three points from safety, but do have three games in hand thanks to their remarkable cup runs.

The team in their sights are St John Bosco, who will visit Rossleighan Park as the two sides collide this coming Friday night. Tuesday’s win means Portlaoise and SJB are separated by just three points and a win on Friday would see Portlaoise move above the Dublin side and out of the relegation zone.