Crossmolina 1-5 Claremorris

Claremorris stormed to a convincing 5-1 victory against Crossmolina in Abbeytown on Sunday, reviving their hopes of avoiding relegation as two consecutive wins have propelled them up the table to within reach of Lacken United. Crossmolina, on the other hand, have fallen and can't get up. Three defeats in their last four games have seen them drop like Eircom shares from their previous heady position of joint second to midtable mediocrity. Crossmolina began the game in more impressive manner as an obviously disorganised Claremorris side scrambled to avert conceding a goal. The home side created numerous scoring opportunities but capitalised on none as wayward shooting cost them dear. Derek Greham led the home attack with a barrage of shots but failed to hit the target as his team seemed assured of making the breakthrough sooner or later. John Loftus spurned a great chance early on after Michael Moyles and Greham had carved open the opposing defence but, from 10 yards out, he blazed his shot over the bar. Greham's pace was causing problems for the Claremorris defence and after 15 minutes he raced through at an angle with an opponent shadowing his run. He couldn't create the vital yard of separation required to shoot though as he bore down on goal and the Claremorris defender executed a great tackle in the box to save his side. After this Claremorris asserted themselves more in the game as they enjoyed decent periods of possession without ever really worrying goalie Johnny O'Hora. Greham squandered a gilt-edged chance after some quick passing between Moyles and John Duggan. Moyles directed a header towards Duggan who flicked the ball over the defence into the path of his teammate, Greham, who shot over from 12 yards out. The half continued in an open and entertaining manner with Crossmolina creating the better chances without ever scoring. In the last minute of the half Duggan conceded a needless free kick near the left side of midfield. Claremorris hoisted the free into the Crossmolina area and Davey Lyons got his head to the ball to give the visitors a fortuitous lead. After the interval the home side continued to press but their opponents were galvanised by having a goal to defend and proved much tougher to break down than before. Their newfound belief paid off when they doubled their lead after 55 minutes. They found space on the left wing for a cross after a throw-in and Lyons stooped to direct a header into the far corner of the goal from 6 yards out. A stunned Crossmolina side rallied to score within 5 minutes when Greham crossed from the left for striking partner Moyles to head home and reduce the deficit to 2-1. They nearly equalised a few minutes later when Paul McGuinness dribbled down the left before crossing into the box where Greham fired narrowly over from 12 yards out. It was the wake up call Claremorris required, as they increased their lead with a third goal by James Mitchell in the 68th minute which killed the game off as a contest. They were now rampant and a shellshocked Crossmolina team, who had lost only once previously this season at home, couldn't contain their supposedly inferior opponents. Inevitably Claremorris scored again as a swift right wing move with 10 minutes remaining culminated in Michael Mullins scoring from the cross. Greham broke free for a defiant shot on goal but the rout was completed with 5 minutes to go when O'Hora mishandled a high ball and Ger Slattery steered the loose ball into the net to complete an emphatic 5-1 victory. So a season which had only recently looked to promising for Crossmolina has been consigned to the bin in one disastrous week in which they have conceded 5 goals twice and wasted a great opportunity for glory. In the same timespan Claremorris' season has once again sparked to life as they have been handed the chance of a reprieve from Division One.

Premier League results

Erris 3-2 Bangor

Conn Rangers 5-2 Lacken

Achill 5-0 Glenisland

Balllyvary 2-3 Ballina Town

Glenisland 2-5 Erris Utd (Thursday 31st)