Ten-man Ballina Town overcome Manulla in thriller
Oisin Tighe was an impressive performer for Ballina Town in their league victory over Manulla. Picture: Michael Donnelly
Ten man Ballina Town came out on top of a very entertaining Super League clash in dire wintery conditions at Manulla on Sunday afternoon last.
The North Mayo men came back from a goal down midway through the first-half and overcame two missed penalties along with the sending off of goalkeeper Neil Langdon early in the second period to deservedly claim all three points.
Manulla will wonder how they didn’t get the victory with their extra man but the truth is they never put replacement goalkeeper Stephen Melvin under any kind of pressure during his time in the nets. One free kick, which the defender excellently saved, was the only attempt he had to do anything about.
Instead Ballina’s leaders stood up to be counted and put their side on the front foot with an impressive defensive display. Andrew Shally and Conor Quinn were immense, building the platform for Jamie Cawley, Dylan McKee and the impressive Oisin Tighe to build on.
The visitors drew first blood when Tighe used his speed in the fourth minute to get ahead of Thomas Groarke inside the box. The defender lunged for the ball but came nowhere near and took Tighe completely out of it.
Damien McGrath had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Daniel Gorman fired the ball to the net to open the scoring.
Manulla got themselves back into the game eight minutes later when a free-kick into the Ballina penalty area was not cleared and James Dunne found himself in possession and acres of space.
The winger sent in a low cross which Aiden Dunleavy reached first to turn into the net and level matter.
Groarke was very lucky not to concede another penalty on 19 minutes when Tighe again beat the defender for pace and had his heels clipped on the edge of the box.
The home side took the lead on 27 minutes when Brian Ralph’s corner was floated towards the back post where Ruairi Henry headed the ball to the net.
The lead would only last a minute, however, as Oisin Tighe again caused havoc in the Manulla defence. This time the striker was pushed over in the box by Henry and another penalty was awarded.
Gorman stood over the spot kick again but this time Jack Livingstone was equal to his effort and he pushed the ball out for a corner. From that corner the visitors would level matters when Dylan McKee turned Gorman’s low cross to the net.
The game would be turned on its head on 57 minutes when Ballina were reduced to ten men after Langdon crashed into Gary McHale as the big striker looked to round the keeper. The referee had no choice but to brandish the red card and Melvin took over in goal.
Ralph’s resultant free-kick was saved by the stand-in keeper but the hosts couldn’t make the most of their advantage with the Ballina rearguard keeping them at bay with ease.
Town hit the front again on 76 minutes when a long ball from defence was headed into the path of McKee and he fired the ball past Livingstone.
There was still time for Ballina to be awarded another penalty in the second minute of additional time. Oisin Tighe again was fouled by Groarke inside the penalty box, but Gorman skied his effort high and over.
The midfielder made amends a minute later when he smashed a loose ball on the edge of the box to the net, sealing the victory.
