Impressive Athletic advance in Cotter Cup

Scorers: M. Fadian, M. Syron 2 S Fadian 2.Mullingar Athletic AFC Senior team entertained Willow Park FC B team in Gainstown on Saturday night last in the third round of the Paddy Cotter Cup. Athletic have been finalist in this Cup competition for the past two seasons and indeed beat Willow Park A in a memorable semi-final last season. Athletic were able to welcome back captain Mark Syron at centre of defence and Kevin (Haji) Keegan to the bench following a foot injury.After a fine seven goals to one win over Clara Town in the league the previous weekend Athletic were confident going into this game. Within minutes of the game commencing it became very obvious that there was a big gulf in class between the two sides. Athletic dominated early possession and should have been two up within ten minutes with Stephen Fadian and Dara Kiernan both shooting narrowly wide. Mullingar eventually got the first goal through Michael Fadian. Fadian pounced on a loose ball from a Dara Kiernan corner and fired it home to the top of the Willow net with his weaker left foot. This goal came on fifteen minutes and within five more minutes Athletic were two up. This time the goal came from the head of Captain Mark Syron when he headed home a Jimmy McEntee corner from six yards.Goalkeeper Joe Martin had only brief moments of involvement in this game with the opposition attack been limited through the excellent defensive work of Syron Masterson, McEntee and Pescic and Athletic were able to take their two goal lead into the break.The second half followed a similar pattern and on fifty five minutes Mark Syron headed home his second goal when an Enda Matthews thunderous free kick from twenty yards came crashing off the crossbar with Willow goalkeeper stranded on the ground Syron reacted quickly to head past the helpless keeper. Stephen Fadian scored Mullingar's fourth on sixty minutes and he saved the best wine until last when he scored a wonderful solo goal for Athletics fifth and final score of the night. Fadian collected a Jimmy McEntee throw on the left wing; he slipped the ball around the right full and then nut megged the advancing centre half before slotting the ball past the advancing Willow 'keeper David Keena for a spectacular goal.Mullingar introduced Kevin Keegan for a light run out for injured Enda Matthews and also Tony Dunne came in for Dalibor Pecic and Shamslden Hassan for Claudio NardoneTeam: Joe Martin, , David Masterson, Mark Syron, Jimmy McEntee, Steve Markey, Dara Kiernan, Enda Matthews, Dalibor Pesic, Claudio Nardone, Michael Fadian, Kevin Stephen Fadian, Subs: Tony Dunne for Dalibor Pescic, Kevin Keegan for Enda Matthews, Shamslden Hassan for Claudio NardoneMullingar Athletic AFC NotesBest wishesAll at Mullingar Athletic wish Annette Syron a very speedy recovery. Annette is married to Pat our groundsman and mother of one of our senior players, Mark.One of under thirteen players, Jordan Stead, suffered a broken bone in his foot last weekend while playing Glebe North in Balbriggan- we wish Jordan a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon.We also send our best wishes and congratulations to all our underage members who are receiving the sacrament of Confirmation over the next few weeks.ResultsCCFL Combined Counties LeagueSenior Division: Paddy Cotter Cup 2nd Round Willow Park 0 Mullingar Athletic 5Div 1: Michael Dolan Cup Semi-Final: Ballinahowen 1 Mullingar Athletic 4Midlands LeagueUnder 11: Birr Town 0 Mullingar Athletic 5Under 12: Mullingar Athletic 1 Portumna 2Under 14: Mullingar Athletic B 2 T&S Utd. 3Under 15 Major: Mullingar Athletic 1 Mountmellick 4Under 12 Girls: Mullingar Athletic 1 Killeigh 1Under 14 Girls: Killavilla 3 Mullingar Athletic 0FixturesSunday, March 21CCFL Combined Counties LeagueSenior Division: CK Utd. v. Mullingar Athletic, 2pmDiv 1: Rosenallis v. Mullingar Athletic, 11amSen. Ladies Tom Watkins Cup Semi-Final: Mullingar Athletic v. Bealnamulla, 2pmMidlands LeagueSaturday, March 20Under 11: Mullingar Athletic v. Gallen Utd, 10am - to be confirmedUnder 16 Div. 1: Mullingar Athletic v. Gallen Utd, 11.15amUnder 14 Girls: Mullingar Athletic v. Banagher 12.30pm