James’ Gate floored by strong Leixlip

St James’ Gate’s struggling start to the season continues as they lost 4-1 to a strong Leixlip United side in their Leinster Senior League Saturday Major 1C encounter at the Iveagh Grounds.

The game started tightly with most of it being played in the midfield but it didn’t take long for the visitors to take a strong hold, with Leixlip having a goal ruled out by the referee in the 17th minute.

Credit: Chris Synott

The Gate found it difficult to control the game and paid the price as Leixlip’s Paul Storey let a thunderbolt of a shot fly from outside of the box and into the top corner. From there, the Kildare team didn’t look back, and on the stroke of halftime made it 2-0 as Babs Animashaun rounded the St James’ Gate keeper, Stephen Purchy, and passed the ball into the net.

The second half Leixlip Winger Eddie Ojo capitalised on a goalkeeping error to but the visitors out of reach.

However, St James’ Gate got a lifeline not long after as Ger Cleary got on the end of a very good cross and nodded into the far corner to get the home side back into the game. However the Gate’s hope of a comeback didn’t materialise as Leixlip once again took control.

Leixlip hit the bar twice heading to the later stages of the game but as we ticked into added time, Leixlip finished the game off with substitute Ross Fitzpatrick flicking a low cross into the far corner of the net.

A downbeat St James’ Gate manager, Phillip Rooney, said it was disappointing to come off second best. “I played what I thought was a strong team and it’s disappointing to lose the game.

“We got the goal in the second half, and yeah we thought we could push on but we just ran out of steam unfortunately.”

Leixlip manager Alan Brennan credited James’ Gate’s second half performance. “They showed great desire in the second half and got themselves a goal.”