Title chasers hit Clabby for seven

Editorial Department • Published 4 Mar 2010 14:15 0 Comments

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Robert McAuley shoots at goal on Saturday as Ballinamallard United Reserves easily accounted for Clabby Strollers.

Ballinamallard Reserves 7; Clabby Strollers 2;

Ballinamallard Reserves hit Clabby for seven on Saturday as Neil Coulter's side continue to hang on to the coat tails of leaders Lisbellaw United.

The Mallards had controlled the game throughout but a Keith McVitty goal ten minutes into the second half had left the contest well poised at 2-2. However, the home side turned the screw after this and five unanswered goals, including a hat-trick from Jarno Glass, left them emphatic winners at the finish.

"We hit top form after they equalised and overall it was a very pleasing performance which should give us confidence heading into the remainder of the fixtures," said Mallards player manager Neil Coulter.

It was the visitors though who drew first blood early on. There was only three minutes played when Paul Johnston got on the end of Ballinamallard headed clearance to thump home an unstoppable volley from 25 yards that flew into the top corner of the net.

The home side though soon settled into the contest and they had already created a handful of chances before they eventually levelled matters in the 20th minute. Leon Carters broke out of defence and he spilt the defence with a through ball to Robert McAuley who lifted the ball over the goalkeeper for 1-1.

Lloyd McFarland and Simon Livingstone both wasted further chances but before half time the home side grabbed the lead as Darrin Simpson latched on to a through ball and while his shot was saved Livingstone followed up to sweep the ball home from 15 yards to leave it 2-1 at half time.

Against the run of play Clabby equalised in the 55th minute with McVitty the scorer but the Mallards soon regained the advantage as Carters strode out of defence and was allowed to progress unchallenged before drilling home a 25 yard shot that gave the Clabby goalkeeper no chance.

Jarno Glass then made it 4-2 and the same player added the fifth with a fine individual goal, picking up the ball on the edge of his own box before carrying the ball the length of the pitch and firing home.

And Glass completed his hat-trick when he raced between two defenders to get on the end of a McAuley ball before chipping it to the back of the net for 6-2.

The scoring was rounded off late on as Carters and Richard Flaherty combined on the right with Flaherty crossing for McFarland to sweep home as the Mallards completed a comprehensive victory.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 04 Mar 10

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