Claremorris 2 - 4 Crossmolina

Crossmolina kickstarted their dormant league campaign in fine style with a 4-2 win at fellow strugglers Claremorris on Sunday morning. The game was a battle between two sides who had failed to earn a point so far this season, so something had to give. From the opening whistle Crossmolina set about their task with great endeavour and their passing proved too much for the home side to cope with. The play flowed towards the Claremorris goal for most of the first half with Whittaker, Flaherty and McGuinness bossing midfield for the visitors. The home rearguard was tested early and often but despite much bending they didn't break. Bert Carolan opted for an adventurous 3-5-2 formation for Crossmolina and after some teething problems the players grasped the system quickly. Indeed it was the two wing-backs who combined for the first goal after nearly 20 minutes. Mark Loftus raced down the left wing and then floated a great cross to the back post for his fellow wing-back, John Duggan, who had ghosted into the Claremorris penalty area unmarked. The cross cleared both centre-backs and dropped invitingly for Duggan who finished with a clinical volley from 12 yards out to give Crossmolina a 1-0 lead. It was just reward for their pressure and they could have doubled that lead only minutes later when Steven Canavan collected a right wing throw in and cut into the box along the bye line. Unfortunately as he neared goal he lost his balance and the move petered out. Claremorris weren't so fortunate in the 25th minute though, when they were bemused by some Paul McGuinness trickery. McGuinnes started a mazy dribble in his own half and beat four men to get to the edge of the Claremorris box. He then fired a testing shot which the goalkeeper could only parry to his left where Derek Greham was lurking. Greham tapped the ball into an empty net from close range to give Crossmolina a 2-0 lead. It was nearly 3-0 soon after when Joe Keane sent a long diagonal free kick from his own half into the Claremorris box to Whittaker who headed just wide. Claremorris did create some chances, mainly from corners, but the Crossmolina backline were resolute. Peter McDaid had the best opportunity for Claremorris when he raced down the left wing and cut into the box only to shoot into the side netting from 6 yards out. After half time the momentum swung completely and Claremorris ambushed a dozing Crossmolina side. They smothered the visitors previously free-flowing football and launched a blitz on Johnny O'Hora's goal. It didn't take long for their pressure to yield dividends, although when it came it was a fortunate goal. After 50 minutes Jimmy Mitchell corralled a clearance on his chest and unleashed a powerful shot from 20 yards out. O'Hora appeared to have the measure of it as he tapped it skywards over the bar. Unfortunately his tap was just short and it fell onto the crossbar and down towards the ground. McDaid opportunistically nodded the ball over the line to give new impetus to Claremorris. Within 5 minutes the match was level. Broxton's seemingly harmless run went unchallenged and from 25 yards out he fired a thunderous shot into the top right corner to even the game at 2-2. O'Hora tipped another dangerous long-range shot over and, later, only a silly handball by Micky Mallee prevented McDaid from scoring again. Crossmolina struggled to get out of their own half as Claremorris lay siege to the Crossmolina goal, forcing them to play more 5-3-2, rather than the 3-5-2 they had employed in the first half. So it was quite unexpected when it was the visitors who scored the next goal, with what was only their second attack of the half. Loftus once again crossed from the left and this time Whittaker benefited as he stroked the ball into the net from 10 yards out, totally against the run of play, with 20 minutes remaining. Claremorris nearly equalised but for a crucial last ditch intervention by Joe Keane. The Claremorris pressure would prove fruitless however and it was Crossmolina who scored again with 5 minutes remaining, after winning a free kick 25 yards out from goal. Keane curled a delightful strike around the wall into the top left corner of the goal and Claremorris' fate was sealed. So while Claremorris are left floundering at the foot of the table Crossmolina will hope to build on this win, starting next week at home to Bangor Hibs. 

O'Hora, Duggan, McDonald, Hegarty, Keane, M Loftus, Flaherty(J Canavan 70), P McGuinness, Whittaker, S Canavan(Walsh 88), Greham(A Loftus 85)

R O'Neill, A Barry, M Regan, G Gallagher, G Mulkeerins, N Kitchin, J Broxton, P McDaid, D Lyons, J Mitchell, M Mallee  

Premier League results Round 3

Bangor Hibs 3-3 Erris Utd

Glenisland United 1-3 Achill Rovers

Lacken Utd 4-1 Conn Rangers

Ballina Town 3-2 Ballyvary