Wayside struggle to justify favourites tag

A stalemate was an entirely appropriate result: two teams so preoccupied with not losing and so lacking in ambition, were unlikely to carve out too many opportunities in yesterday's Harp Lager FAI Cup first round clash at Kilternan.

Leinster Senior League side Wayside Celtic started as strong favourites, despite taking on League of Ireland opposition, but struggled to justify that faith.

The contest was devoid of any real quality with players from both sides subscribing to the hopeful hoof, rather than taking responsibility and distributing the ball intelligently and with precision.

For long periods the game lacked rhythm or direction offering nothing more to the sizeable crowd than low quality fumbling, albeit with honest endeavour. No one really stood out from the general malaise, too many players committed to the hustle and bustle of an overcrowded midfield.

Long, aimless punts from the back, carried on the strong wind, appeared the only gambit favoured by both teams: this ploy enabled both defences to dominate without undue concern. Longford's much travelled and experienced centre half Ronnie Murphy proved the most polished performer in dealing with any threat that Wayside mustered.

The sole exception was a 90th minute shambles that involved a collision between Longford fullbacks Chris Malone and Dermot Lennon. The ball squirted to Mark Byrne who put Ronan Corrigan through with only the goalkeeper to beat, but from 12 yards Corrigan lobbed tamely over the bar to spurn the game's best opportunity.

Longford midfielder Conor Frawley missed an early half chance when he hooked his 12-yard volley over the crossbar while former Shamrock Rovers fullback Senan O Duchain came even closer two minutes later for the home side when he crashed a drive just over from 20 yards.

Wayside midfielder Paul Byrne's first touch let him down when he was put through on goal by Corrigan's clever flick was Longford goalkeeper Anthony Keenan was happy to see the ball ricochet wide as he collided with Paul Byrne.

On 32 minutes Brian Leavy was put clear on the left but his shot from the angle of the box found only the side netting. Longford made marginally better use of the long ball when wind assisted after the interval in that they committed more players to the chase but Willie Simpson and Derek Jackson stood firm.

The second half degenerated even further as the desperation not to give anything away limited ambition further. Corrigan's excellent cross on 65 minutes was met by Mark Byrne only for Declan Hardy to get in a timely block.

The descending gloom at Kilternan was an appropriate backdrop for the closing exchanges which offered only Corrigan's glorious chance to settle the tie. Wayside boss Pete Lennon admitted: "We rushed things a bit and didn't really settle down to the passing game.

"I think that they are a better side than people give them credit and that having a couple of players come back was a timely boost for them. I expect it to be equally tight in the replay."

That takes place at Strokestown Road on Wednesday (7.30).

Wayside Celtic: Sullivan; Grimes, Simpson, Jackson, O Duchain; Callaghan, M Byrne, P Byrne, Roche; Leavy, Corrigan.

Longford Town: Keenan; Malone, Darby, Murphy, Lennon; Rooney, Frawley, Hardy, Gannon; Larkin, Doherty. Sub: Kenny for Gannon (78 mins).

Referee: P McKeown (Dublin).