Ballina Town 3-0 Crossmolina

Ballina Town cruised to a 3-0 victory against Crossmolina on Sunday in Belleek to advance to the next round of the Tuohy Cup. Ballina, who were bolstered by the addition of ex-Connacht League players, had too much savvy to be rattled by a relatively inexperienced Crossmolina who handed debuts to four players. Manager Bert Carolan honoured his pledge to give the new members of the squad a chance when he started Ronan O'Mara, Damien Syron, Jason Murray and Simon Rowland along with another youngster Kenny Canavan to give the side an infusion of youth. The match began with the visitors camped inside their own half as Town exerted some early pressure. In the 8th minute a right wing move was switched to the left side where Daniel Fahy fired an 18 yard shot which forced a good save from Johnny O'Hora.Seven minutes later Fahy tested his range again with another 18 yarder which flew by the left post. These were early warning signs for the visitors from a player who was outstanding all afternoon, as he led the line with both great pace and power. He was involved again in the 18th minute when he crossed from the right wing to Brendan Lackey at the back post, whose header was well blocked by O'Hora. The ball fell loose to Fahy who failed to make contact with the ball from 6 yards out and Crossmolina cleared the danger. The home team were yet to find their top gear due to some determined tackling by Steven Canavan and a fairly resolute defensive performance as the visitors were reduced to destructive rather than creative work. In the 28th minute Fahy raced onto a Declan O'Connor through ball but looped his shot just over the bar. Crossmolina finally registered their first shot on goal on the half hour mark when Simon Rowland fed Derek Greham who charged forward before unleashing a 20 yard shot which was parried over by Town goalie Paul McCafferty. Four minutes later a foul on Greham won the visitors a free kick from 25 yards out which Michael Canavan struck well, but McCafferty again was equal to the challenge. Crossmolina nearly saw all their effort come undone in the final minute of the half when Johnny O'Hora kicked a backpass straight to Daniel Fahy. From an awkward angle on the left Fahy unselfishly chose to cross the ball rather than shoot at an open goal. Philip Devers, however, made it look like an unwise decision when he headed wide to end the first half action. Ballina Town returned a much more purposeful team in the second half and they were rewarded with a goal within 2 minutes. Fergal Forde played an incisive pass to Daniel Fahy which split the defence and although Fahy's shot was brilliantly saved by O'Hora, Lackey was there to put in the rebound. Once they made the breakthrough Ballina Town stepped up their play and began to pass the ball more fluidly. O'Hora was involved in another calamity when he booted a clearance straight at his defender Damien Syron. The ball ricocheted over the stranded goalie who could only watch in horror as the ball trickled just wide of the right post. In the 70th minute Daniel Fahy dispossessed Michael Canavan and coolly slotted in Ballina's second goal to end the game as a contest. With ten minutes remaining substitute Junior Humber crossed from the left wing to the back post where Devers tapped the ball in to end to end Crossmolina's cup hopes. Damien Syron came closest to scoring for the losers when he nodded a corner kick onto the post with 3 minutes to go but the only real consolation that they can take from this defeat is the performance of their youngsters who acquitted themselves very well in a tough baptism of fire. In a strange way it was a successful day for the team as we unearthed some obviously talented new players and this will benefit us long after the memory of this defeat is forgotten. When the whole squad attends a game it will offer a wealth of talent for Bert to choose from and this might be our best squad ever. Ballina Town, on the other hand, can look forward to a good cup run and on this form they could be a good tip for a Milebush appearance.