Match Reports >> 2008 Match Reports >> Kilmore 1-0 Crossmolina

May 31st 2008 Kilmore 1-0 Crossmolina

The old adage about the failure to prepare being a harbinger of woe was proven inaccurate by Kilmore on Saturday evening as they beat Crossmolina by the only goal of the game. Unaware of the early kickoff time the hosts barely had time to don their jerseys before being forced onto the pitch to commence battle. They gallantly overcame the shock with a rudimentary style that propelled the ball to the opposite end of the pitch at every opportunity. This was sufficient to unnerve their opponents who are suffering a crisis of confidence since their return to the Premier Division. A rock hard surface converted the football into a rubber ball that bounced over players repeatedly as they struggled to determine its trajectory. Such was the case for the game’s only goal after twenty five minutes when the ball sailed through the Erris sky before landing in the Crossmolina penalty area. Tommy Ginty proved to have the keenest eye because he predicted where the bounce would land and his low drive proved to be equally accurate as it beat goalkeeper Michael Timlin. In a game of very few quality chances the goal was scarcely deserved but the Deelsiders had toiled ineffectively at the other end to no avail so they cannot feel too aggrieved. The considerable Kilmore support nearly had reason for more celebration shortly after but Timlin saved his team with a superb save when he pushed a goalbound shot around the post

The game reconvened in similar mode after the halftime break with flowing football mostly non-existent as both sides struggled to take advantage of the unusually wide pitch. The visitors could claim a moral victory from a second period that saw them control the ball more while pinning their opponents inside their own half for long spells. But, as has been their problem all season, they were unable to convert the possession into goals. Anthony Ruddy and Stewart Griffin came to the fore in midfield with displays of clever dribbling that confounded and frustrated the hosts. But it all seemed to be for naught as the minutes ticked away and they still only had nil on the scoreboard. Their best chance to change that occurred with ten minutes remaining when a free kick was floated into the Kilmore penalty area and Mark Loftus headed the ball goalwards only to see it blocked by colleague Paul McGuinness who was unfortunately stationed near the goal-line and could not vacate his position in time. It just about summed up the visitors luck on an evening when they matched their opponents for effort but not for goals.

Crossmolina - Michael Timlin, Darragh Carroll, Michael Cafferty, Kenny Canavan, Paul Flaherty, John Duggan, Paul McGuinness, Stewart Griffin, Anthony Ruddy, David Lynn (Mark Howley 70), Derek Greham (Mark Loftus 55)

Referee – Harry Loftus

Match Reports >> 2008 Match Reports >> Crossmolina 2-2 Glenhest