*Elias Kunz netted a hat-trick.
AVENUE UTD made it three wins from three in the Maloney Garden Machinery Premier Division.
In the only Premier Division tie of the weekend, David Russell’s side ensured they stayed top of the Premier Division when advancing past Bridge Utd.
Avenue on top versus Bridge
Avenue Utd A 5
Bridge Utd A 0
Venue: Roslevan
One week before their meeting in the FAI Junior Cup, Avenue Utd and Bridge Utd crossed swords with the Roslevan based club recording a 5-0 win.
As was the case last season, mistakes from Bridge Utd were punished and this led to Avenue getting a foothold in the game.
Bridge started the game well and Luke Woodrow was called on to make a good save from a header after seven minutes. Avenue looked dangerous on the break and Elias Kunz went close with a shot that narrowly missed the target after nine minutes. Conor Hehir was next to go close for Avenue after a good run and shot that was saved by John Mulready after ten minutes. Bridge had a great chance to go in front after twelve minutes when they were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box. Liam Buckley well struck effort from the spot was brilliantly saved by Luke Woodrow.
Avenue went in front after twenty four minutes when Eoghan Thynne was strong in winning the ball back and played a great ball across the goal that was finished well by Elias Kunz. Kunz made it 2-0 after 28 minutes after a great run from midfield and rounded the keeper before firing to the back of the Bridge net. Avenue had a shout for a penalty waved away on 44 minutes when Tomas Hehir went down in the box.
The second half started like the first finished when Tomas Hehir went down the box but again the referee waved play on. Avenue went three in front after 55 minutes when Mark Roche was fouled on the edge of the box. Dylan Casey fired the free kick low to the back of the Bridge net. It was 4-0 Avenue after 57 minutes when Kunz completed his hat trick with a lovely finish over the advancing Mulready after good play from Ronan Kerin created the opening.
Avenue wrapped up the scoring on 76 minutes when a good run and cross from Cullen McCabe was finished at the back post by Vincent Onouha. Avenue went close again on 82 minutes when a cross from Michael Dinan was met by a Ben McDonough header and hit the post.
The sides will meet again next week in the first round of the FAI Junior Cup.
Avenue Utd: Luke Woodrow, Cullen McCabe, Conor Hehir, Jamie Roche, Dylan Casey, Eoghan Thynne, Stephen Jordan, Nnabuike Nneji, Ronan Kerin, Elias Kunz, Tomas Hehir
Subs: Mark Roche for Stephen Jordan (HT), Michael Dinan for Eoghan Thynne (65), Gary Roche for Elias Kunz (68), Vincent Onouha for Tomas Hehir (73), Ben McDonough for Ronan Kerin (76)
FAI Junior Cup kicks off
Avenue’s Sunday morning meeting (10:30) with Bridge isn’t the only tie in the first round of the FAI Junior Cup.
Holders Newmarket Celtic put their title on the line for the first time when travelling to Kerry to meet Castleisland. Fair Green Celtic face Mountshannon with Lifford FC, Shannon Olympic, Bunratty Cratloe, Kilrush Rangers and Shannon Town all in action.
Avenue U v Bridge U @ 10.30am
Fairgreen v Mountshannon
Creeves v Lifford FC
Shannon Olympics. v Broadford
Castleisland. v Newmarket Celtic
Shountrade v. Bunratty Cratloe
Askeaton. v Kilrush Rangers
Shannon Townn v Ballyheigue
All Kick Off @ 2pm
