Match Reports >> 2008 Match Reports >> Manulla B 1-3 Crossmolina

July 12th 2008 Manulla B 1-3 Crossmolina

One week after their worst performance of the season positioned them perilously close to the relegation wrangle Crossmolina managed to produce a performance that was as good as it was unexpected at Manulla on Saturday evening. It is difficult to know whether it was the change of personnel, the adjustment in formation or just plain old pride that elicited such a display but for the whole ninety minutes the whole team played with a determination and creativity that had been so lacking for the majority of the season. Derek Greham led the line with a palpable purpose and he could be frequently found rampaging behind the defence in search of diagonal balls to run onto. This created space in front of the Manulla backline that Paul McGuinness and Michael Cafferty exploited with good passing and aggressive tackling. But it was Greham who was at the centre of most of Crossmolina’s first half pomp. He signalled his intent for the afternoon after five minutes when he latched onto a cross-field pass on the right edge of the penalty area and promptly struck a low drive that the home goalie was glad to divert around the near post for a corner. The Deelsiders seemed certain to take the lead after ten minutes when Greham’s cross from the right wing was met by McGuinness but his header from only six yards out was somehow saved by the Manulla netminder. With Manulla constantly on the back foot it was no surprise when the visitors opened the scoring after fifteen minutes. A seemingly innocuous throw-in on the right flank triggered a whipped cross that Mark Howley met with a cushioned header after stealing in at the back post. The goal lifted Crossmolina’s inhibitions and they began to play expansive football that was constantly positive and threatening. Michael Cafferty orchestrated the best move of the half when he played a series of quick one-twos with various players that paved his way from midfield to the penalty box but his eventual shot at goal was wayward. He quickly made amends at the other end when he executed a vital interception as Manulla seemed certain to score from close range. Revelling in his midfield role he capped an all-action display with a goal after twenty five minutes. Another stagnant situation on the right flank was suddenly punctuated by a low cross into the penalty area and the ball evaded everyone except Cafferty who roofed his shot from twelve yards. Inspired by the attacking mentality of his side Pierce Loftus made one of his trademark forays from central defence and rapped a solid shot from twenty five yards that just cleared the bar.

It seemed unlikely that the visitors could replicate their impressive first half display but, aided by Manulla’s need to attack, they continued to pose problems for their opponents throughout the second half. Mark Loftus took a leaf out of his brother’s book and sortied forward from left back in scintillating style, nimbly side-stepping five challenges en route to the penalty box, but his final effort on goal didn’t test the goalie. Manulla’s best moment of the half resulted in a claim for a penalty but with the game expiring the appeals were more in hope than expectation. With twenty minutes remaining substitute Darragh Carroll nearly created the clinching goal for Crossmolina when his cross from the right was met by Greham in the centre but the striker's jabbed effort over the onrushing goalie struck the crossbar and rebounded to safety. Carroll could have scored himself only a few minutes later when he raided in from the right wing but his shot went across the face of goal and wide. Then, with only eight minutes left, Manulla ignited a grandstand finish when Derek McDonnell scored for them. It would have been excusable for Crossmolina to capitulate at this point because their fragile confidence was being tested. Fortunately, three minutes later, the Manulla goalie rolled the ball to his centre back on the edge of the penalty area and John Duggan picked the defender's pocket before despatching the ball inside the right post to clinch the three points for Crossmolina.

Crossmolina – Johnny O’Hora, Jason Canavan, Pierce Loftus, Johnny Burke, Mark Loftus, Michael Cafferty, Adam Gordon (Darragh Carroll 67), Paul McGuinness, Mark Howley (Trevor Egan 75), John Duggan, Derek Greham (Michael Timlin 83)

Referee – Martin Regan

Match Reports >> 2008 Match Reports >> Manulla B 1-3 Crossmolina