Frantz Pierrot earns point for Galway as Shels suffer more home discomfort

Frantz Pierrot scored within seconds of coming on to equalise Harry Wood’s early goal and earn Galway United a point at Tolka Park. Shelbourne hit the woodwork twice, and the match ended with a similar pattern to their earlier meeting in February. Shelbourne extended an unbeaten run to seven games but drew four of them, leaving them fifth in the table. Evan Watts made two outstanding saves, and Galway’s seventh-place position was marked by only one clean sheet all season. After five changes from a 0-0 draw in Derry, Shelbourne started strongly and created early chances, including a goal that stood despite Galway offside appeals. Galway then settled into the game, generating multiple chances before halftime, including shots that struck the frame and a late save by Watts.

"Frantz Pierrot scored within seconds of coming on to earn Galway United a point to frustrate Shelbourne at Tolka Park. The Haitian striker equalised Harry Wood's opening goal, while Shels also hit the woodwork twice, as the game ended as it had in their first meeting of the season in Drumcondra in February."

"While Evan Watts produced two terrific saves, it meant seventh-placed Galway have now kept just one clean sheet all season. With five changes from Monday's 0-0 draw in Derry, Shels' dominant start should have been rewarded on eight minutes. Ali Coote and Wood combined to put John Martin in on goal Despite Galway appeals for offside, the flag stayed down before Martin rifled his shot off the far post when a little subtlety would surely have seen him score."

"Having survived Shels' early flurry, Galway played their way into the game, creating two good chances inside three minutes midway through the half. First David Hurley, teed up by Ed McCarthy, let fly from some 35 yards with a dipping volley which flew just over Wessel Speel's crossbar. Aaron Bolger then set up Kris Twardek with a cheeky backheel for the Canadian to force Speel into a fine save."

"A mistake at the other end a minute later saw Shels hit the frame of Galway's goal for a second time. Livewire Wood nicked the ball off Keohane only to see his scuffed shot come back off a post. A wonder save then deprived Shels the lead in the final minute of the half. Coote's crisp header from a Kameron Ledwidge cross looked destined for the net before Watts sprung to his left to bat the ball away one-handed for a sublime stop."

Read at Irish Independent