ST GEORGE’S kicked off the new football season the same way they finished the last, collecting silverware, when they edged St Mary’s in the Eric Fletcher Charity Shield at the Bowl on Friday evening.
However, the 2011-12 Grand Slam winners were made to work hard for the victory in a match that was marred by injuries to two of St Mary’s star players.
It proved to be a day of contrasting fortunes for the new signings on display for both sides as new Geordies winger Gary Quirk netted a brilliant goal just minutes into his debut while Terrry Rigaux’s first competitive match for St Mary’s was shortlived after he suffered a serious-looking injury.
Despite a relatively short summer break for the majority of the Geordies squad because of their involvement with the island team, the Glencrutchery Road side were quickly into their stride and wasted no time in taking control of the game.
The game was just seven minutes old when the deadlock was broken in fine style. Last season’s golden boot winner Ciaran McNulty picked up possession in the opposition half and surged goalwards, only to be stopped on the edge of the area. However, the ball broke free to Quirk who, from 25 yards out, unleashed a stunning, first-time shot which arrowed into the right corner of the net, giving St Mary’s goalkeeper Max Thomas no chance.
The lead did not last long, though, and the crowd were treated to another special goal just three minutes later.
Steven Priestnal received the ball just inside his own half and, spotting Geordies’ No1 Grant Dawson off his line, tried his luck with a looping shot which flew into the top corner despite the shotstopper - who may have been partially sighted with the sun in his eyes - getting a hand to it.
Geordies suffered a further setback a minute later when Chris Bass Jr was forced off through injury.
Just when the game appeared to be shifting in St Marys’ favour, Rigaux went into a 50/50 challenge and came off significantly worse, staying down holding his ankle and unable to move. Play was stopped for more than 20 minutes while an ambulance arrived on the scene and took the winger to hospital.
Once play finally resumed it took a while for both sides to regain any sort of momentum but it was Geordies who settled the quicker, with substitute Sam Caine and Calum Morrissey both going close, the latter with a half-volley which dipped just over the bar.
Caine again went close soon after when Thomas only half punched the ball clear to the edge of the area but the winger’s effort was hacked off the line by the alert Tony Cain.
A minute later the hosts were left incensed when they thought Priestnal was bundled over by Dawson inside the area as he chased a long ball but referee Gareth Jones waved play on.
To add insult to injury, St Mary’s were dealt another blow minutes later when Thomas was forced off through injury after dislocating a finger and possibly fracturing his hand. With no sub goalkeeper on the bench, captain Dom McGreevy was forced to don the gloves after another extended break in play while Harry Weatherill came on to replace Thomas and make his St Mary’s debut.
With almost 70 minutes on the clock in the first half alone, the champions struck a decisive blow.
A corner from the left was only half cleared and appeared to hit a defender’s arm, but no penalty was given. However, the ball dropping to the lurking Caine who made no mistake, slotting the ball through a crowded area past McGreevy to give his side a half-time lead.
Four minutes after the interval Chris Bass Sr’s men went close to doubling their lead when Johnny Myers rose to meet a cross and his header was flicked on by Frank Jones but McGreevy showed great reactions to tip it onto the bar and over.
St Mary’s fought hard to find a way back into the contest but it was Geordies who created the better chances. McNulty thought he had scored when he lashed home a venomous strike from 25 yards but was ruled out after Morrissey was adjudged to have handled the ball in the build up.
The Grand Slam winners then missed a golden chance to put the result beyond doubt with 15 minutes remaining. Some neat play saw Morrissey send strike partner McNulty racing through on goal but his powerful effort was repelled by the body of McGreevy. The rebound fell straight to Caine just a few yards out but the winger somehow slammed the ball against the post with the goal at his mercy.
Try as they might, St Mary’s were unable to found a way through a stubborn Geordies backline marshalled by Sean Quaye and Dawson was left mostly untroubled as they saw out the remainder of the game. Indeed the final chance of the contest fell to Geordies as Morrissey rose to meet a deep cross from James McStay but nodded his effort just wide.
It mattered not, though, as St George’s, although not at their best, had enough in the tank to hold off a determined St Mary’s side that have been tipped by many as serious challengers to Geordies reign under the guidance of new manager and former Grand Slam winner Sam Kenny.
Team check
St Mary’s: Max Thomas (Harry Weatherill 45m+14m), Karl Clark, Martin Reilly, Tony Cain, Dom McGreevy (c), James Murphy (Connor Gorman 64m), Tom Weir, Marc Priestnal, Steven Priestnal, Terry Rigaux (Paul Doyle 33m), Chris Anderson. Subs not used: Ste Whitley and Adam Pate
St George’s: Grant Dawson, Liam Cowin, Julian Ringham, Johnny Myers (Lee Bass 70m), Sean Quaye (c), Gary Quirk (Conor Doyle 64m), James McStay, Frank Jones, Chris Bass Jr (Sam Caine 11m), Ciaran McNulty, Calum Morrissey. Sub not used: Dave Cherry
Referee: Gareth Jones
Assistants: Tony Quayle and Willie Cowley
Fourth official: Matty Evans
Man of the Match: Karl Clark (St Mary’s)
Match rating: HHIII