Before a tense match-winning situation arises, it would be as well to clarify the finer points of the new rule whereby a short corner is played out after the full-time whistle. Pembroke Wanderers' third goal, registered by Turlough O Siochain, against YMCA at Serpentine Avenue on Saturday was of no significance as the home side were leading 2-0, but was it, in fact, legitimate? For example, one element of the final set-piece operation was that with Nigel Henderson joining all his team-mates on the edge of the YMCA circle, he threw down his goalkeeper's helmet and gloves on the pitch. These items could have hindered YM from clearing their lines.
Overall, the 3-0 score-line flattered Pembroke as they were forced to sweat it out to retain their strong position at the top of the table. The YMCA back four, now embracing the former Railway Union player Tim Varian, was particularly resolute - no one being more effective than Keith Lemon who rarely allowed Darren Hanna an instant to fire in a shot.
Instead, after Henderson had needed to be fully alert to keep out a reverse-stick rocket by Ger Butler on the break, it was the ubiquitous Colin Kelly who engineered a passage for Simon Kershaw to tuck Pembroke into the lead in the 33rd minute.
YMCA continued to show the utmost resistance but inexorable pressure from O Siochain and Paudie Carley could not be totally contained as Devin Donnelly drove through to deliver a shot for Francis de Rosa to divert out of Greg Finn's reach.
While the result here was clear-cut on paper and also at Park Avenue, where Railway Union showed greater cohesion to beat UCD by the same margin with goals by Keith Walsh, Paul O'Brien and Karl Swan, the closest match of the day evolved at Rathdown. Monkstown fought back from 2-0 arrears at half-time against Corinthians before losing 3-2.
Monkstown drew level through a double strike by Justin Sherriff in the closing stages but Corinthians came back again to notch a controversial winner through Paul Armitage. Monkstown felt that the free from outside the circle was deflected into the net by Chris Beere rather than a visitors' attacker getting the final touch.
Bruce Campbell (penalty stroke) and Justin Benson were the first-half marksmen in an open game in which both goalkeepers, Glen Bailey, who kept out an earlier penalty against the home side, and Peter Darley were called on to show their sharpest reactions.
Corinthians share second place with Glenanne, whose 10-0 defeat of Trinity means that since their initial loss to Three Rock Rovers, they have amassed 30 goals in four matches. John Goulding (4) and Stephen Butler, with his third successive hat-trick, were the top marksmen at St Mark's.
There will be a sobering test next weekend, however, for Glenanne as they must face Avoca, 3-1 winners against Three Rock Rovers at Grange Road on Saturday. Christian Judd gave Rovers an interval lead.
