Match Reports >> 2009 Match Reports >> Partry Athletic 4-4 Crossmolina

November 1st 2009 Partry Athletic 4-4 Crossmolina

Crossmolina were teetering on the verge of a relegation battle prior to this encounter but after a late flourish they earned a share of the points and, as a result, they can relax for the final league game of the season. The game began with a bang when the hosts seized an early lead after only five minutes. They took advantage of ponderous defending and, despite the water-logged quagmire that comprised the right flank, they managed to execute a cross from that side which was met at the back post by a Partry head. This prompted a highly unusual switch of full-backs that resulted in both players occupying berths that wouldn’t suit their naturally stroner foot. However unorthodox the move was , it proved to be successful and it solidified the visitors defence. Crossmolina had begun the game well though and were soon back on terms when they took advantage of a left flank throw-in five minutes later. Enda Jordan flung the ball towards the edge of the penalty area where Brian Benson glanced it across the penalty area. Mark Howley timed his run perfectly and met the ball with a sweet fifteen yard strike that zipped past the goalkeeper into the bottom left corner of the goal. Two minutes later Benson scored a superb virtuoso goal when he received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and shook off his marker with a nimble turn before driving the ball into the bottom left corner from twenty yards out. An open match continued to produce plenty of goal-scoring chances. Benson was again at the hub of the action when he teed up a good chance for John Duggan at the near post a few minutes later but the winger didn’t get enough contact on the ball with the outside of his foot and the ball sailed across the face of goal.

Moments later the Deelsiders increased their advantage when Paul Flaherty dropped a long ball in behind the Partry defence that they failed to deal with in any convincing manner and Enda Jordan snuck in to lift the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper for a 3-1 lead. Jordan had earlier conspired to miss a simpler chance when he stabbed a low cross from the left flank over the crossbar from only a couple of yards out but this strike made amends for that in the most emphatic way possible. Despite the unflattering scoreline Partry had proved to be very worthwhile opposition and they played very good football for most of the half but just failed to convert a number of chances that they created. It was somewhat just that they scored five minutes before the break. A counter-attack down their left wing afforded Hennessy time and space to accelerate past the visiting rearguard and he slotted past Sean Hiney between the sticks. Spurred on by the goal the hosts emerged for the second half with raised spirits and they equalised soon after the resumption. With twenty minutes remaining they took the lead after a move on the right side produced a cross that was headed in by Hennessy arriving at the back post. Crossmolina continued to push for a point but they were often thwarted by a solid defence. Anthony Ruddy fizzed a low cross across the face of goal from the left wing at one stage but there was no teammate there to convert it. With time running out and victory looking likely for the home team, Adam Gordon collected the ball in the centre of defence and flighted a ball over the top of the opposing backline that Johnno Heffernan latched onto. He seemed to take an eternity before he decided to chip it over the onrushing goalie and as the ball fell back to earth it looked like he had over-cooked it as it seemed to drop onto the net behind the goal. But it was an optical illusion being played on tired eyes and the ball had indeed landed in the goal and was an equaliser, much to the relief of some very tired Crossmolina legs.

Crossmolina – Sean Hiney, Jason Canavan, Michael Cafferty (Anthony Timoney 80), Adam Gordon, Paul Flaherty, John Duggan, Paul McGuinness, Mark Howley (Johnno Heffernan 70), Anthony Ruddy, Brian Benson (Eoin Corcoran 60), Enda Jordan

Referee - Mick Walsh

Match Reports >> 2009 Match Reports >> Partry Athletic 4-4 Crossmolina