Pat delivers in the sunshine for 'Hest
Glenhest Rovers’ Pat Mulchrone slides the ball past Ballina Town goalkeeper Aaron Reilly to score his second goal during the Mayo Super League at Belleek last Sunday morning. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Glenhest Rovers returned to winning ways after an impressive victory over Ballina Town in Belleek Park last Sunday morning.
The defeat for the Town is a second in four days after their loss to Westport United and they could have few complaints with the result. They struggled to break down a well organised Glenhest back four while their own defensive wall will be disappointed with the concession of the first two goals.
Nothing should be taken away from the visitors however, who in addition to a brace from Pat Mulchrone also welcomed back Connor McCarthy, last season's Premier League player of the year, from injury, and he assisted for their third goal late on.
Glenhest goalkeeper Nathan Barrett, in for the suspended Eoghan McManamon, was called into action early on, smothering an effort from Dylan McKee.
The visitors began to grow in confidence and were a threat on the counter. Levi Barrett sent in a ball down the right to Eoghan Wright and his dangerous cross was cleared behind by Stephen Melvin for a corner. Wright picked out Pat Mulchrone with his delivery but he could not keep his header from going over.
The same combination would get it done on 26 minutes, as Wright floated in a corner and Mulchrone rose highest to head past Aaron Reilly, in for the injured Emmet Peyton, to give them the lead.
Ballina's best chance of the half to level it came on the half hour mark. A quick fire cross by Ashton Judge was cleared away but the clearance looped in the air invitingly for Benny Lavelle to volley it on the penalty spot but he never connected properly with the strike.
Three minutes into the second half, Glenhest doubled their lead. Tomas Doherty's under hit pass back to his goalkeeper gave Pat Mulchrone the opportunity to win possession and he fired it low past Reilly.
Ballina pulled one back two minutes later in style. David O’Mahoney fed it to Benny Lavelle and the Town's legendary striker let fly with an unstoppable shot from 25 yards past the helpless Nathan Barrett.
The hosts continued to make inroads but Glenhest defended superbly. Glenhest made a double substitution on 74, as McCarthy made his first appearance since September 1 last year, along with Matthew Reilly, and both men combined for Glenhest's third on 78 minutes. As Ballina looked to break, Eoghan Wright won possession inside own half and Glenhest launched a counter press. Wright played in McCarthy, who calmly laid it off to Reilly who slid the ball through the Ballina goalkeeper's legs to secure victory.
