Hodson Bay AFC 2-0 Skyvalley Rovers
Skyvalley came to town with what must have been the biggest squad in the league; 21 players togged is some achievement. Nonetheless that didn’t deter our brave heroes as they set about to play on the front foot.
We created the first few chances the pick of which brought an excellent save from Paddy Mulleady, the Skyvalley keeper, from a Cormac Sheehy free kick.
There’s no getting away from the fact that we missed some of the clearest chances in the league’s history and the first of which came in the 13th minute. Self professed “Greatest finisher in the Club” Rambo missed an open goal from 4 yards with the keeper lying on the ground.
Joey Cunniffe was quick to burst out laughing at Rambos misfortune, he should have waited as his time came later!
On 30 minutes a beautiful corner from Declan O’Connor was headed home by the evergreen Martin Collins. Martin has now scored in the Roscommon and District Football League in every decade since the Easter Rising and he duly celebrated with a backflip”
Skyvalley then pushed on looking for an equaliser and thanks to some good goalkeeping from KC Domican and scrambled defence we went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The second half started the same as the first with Hodson Bay hitting the crossbar following quick thinking from Cormac and Rambo who set Joey free who saw his powerful effort tipped onto the crossbar. We then pressed on and were unlucky not to have a second when Cormac Sheehy released Joey Cunniffe only for Joey to be tackled and upended by the ball whilst one on one!
Joey wasn’t finished there and when sent through one on one 10 later he looked up and saw Rambo at the back post and decided to pass it back to the keeper. Their rift continues!
We did finally get a second when a good ball from Rambo found Cormac Sheehy and he skipped elegantly by the left full back and put in a cross that landed directly on Joey’s hand (we mean head) and he managed to steer it just beyond the Keeper.
From then on some great defending and a little bit of luck saw the lads finish with a clean sheet.
Best for Hodson Bay were Mark Grehan and KC Domican with Sean Scorr getting our Man of the Match Award following tireless work down the right wing.
Upcoming Fixture
Next up is a local derby against Cam Celtic on Sunday at 12 in Athlone Town Stadium.
Chirch Gate Collection
We have a Church Gate Collection in Ballybay this weekend at Mass, please support if you can.