Crossmolina 3-0 Glenisland

Crossmolina earned a split of their weekend doubleheader with a 3-0 win against Glenisland to maintain their position in the higher echelons of the Premier league and remain in the hunt for a promotion place. After losing in Lacken on Thursday evening they rebounded for a victory in a match played against a backdrop of tragedy. Glenisland can be very proud of their committed performance under the circumstances especially after conceding a goal in the first minute. A Crossmolina midfielder chipped the ball over the top of the Glenisland defence and Derek Greham pounced to lift it over the onrushing goalkeeper for an early 1-0 lead. Glenisland wasted two good chances to equalise within 10 minutes. In the 5th minute a ball over the Crossmolina rearguard put a Glenisland striker clear for a one-on-one confrontation with netminder Johnny O'Hora who spread himself and smothered the shot. In a similar incident 5 mins later O'Hora made a fantastic save with his left hand to palm away a shot after he was exposed once again. Greham had a chance to double his side's lead a few minutes later when John Duggan flighted a ball over the visiting backline for him to chase. Unfortunately the ball's spin caused it to land awkwardly for Greham and being only 8 yards out from goal he had no chance to recover the opportunity as the goalkeeper cleared the danger. This combination would not be denied though, and in the 23rd minute Duggan hoisted the ball from the right of midfield over the Glenisland defence and this time Greham thundered the ball off the underside of the crossbar from 15 yards out for an emphatic goal. Crossmolina were quite subdued for the remainder of the half but Glenisland continued to press, undaunted by the scoreline. They felt that they should have been awarded a penalty when Michael Canavan tripped their right winger after he broke into the box with the ball at his feet, but referee Pat Foley waved play on. The majority of Glenisland's play went down their left wing where Kevin Sheerin was a constant thorn in Crossmolina's side. On two occasions he broke free of his marker to create space for crosses which his forwards failed to capitalise on. After the break Glenisland were handed a golden opportunity to get themselves back into the match when Michael Canavan was harshly adjudged to have pushed an opposing striker in the back on the hour mark, thereby earning Glenisland a penalty. The spot kick was straight at the middle of the goal and O'Hora made a stupendous save with his feet to preserve his team's two goal cushion. Greham punished the visitors' wastefulness in the 65th minute when he completed his hat trick, a feat which should have some of his critics on a steady diet of humble pie for the week. Mark Loftus dribbled along the left wing and after beating two defenders squared the ball across the box for Greham who thumped it venomously into the top right corner for his club leading 12th league goal of the season and a 3-0 lead. He could have made it four a few minutes later after Duggan and Paul McGuinness combined to set him up for a shot from 12 yards out but in his eagerness to score he missed the ball altogether. With victory assured and his defensive duties done for the day Michael Canavan made an effort to grab some glory for himself with a break from his usual defensive position after a Glenisland corner was cleared. Michael Moyles set Duggan away on a counter attack and he spotted Canavan haring through the middle of the park so he played the ball into his path. Canavan, however, froze and hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper to ensure that the margin of victory would be three goals, and not four. It was a good performance by Crossmolina to reestablish themselves in the top half and with five games remaining they have everything to play for.

Crossmolina : J O'Hora, J McGuinness, J Hegarty, M Canavan, M Loftus, P Flaherty (J Canavan 78), S Canavan, P McGuinness, J Duggan, M Moyles, D Greham (K Canavan 80)

Premier League results

Erris Utd 2-1 Lacken

Claremorris 2-4 Bangor

Achill 4-1 Ballina Town

Ballyvary 2-3 Conn Rangers

Glenisland 4-3 Claremorris (Thursday)