Mullingar Athletic endure hectic spell to claim victory over Grange United

Mullingar Athletic 4, Grange Utd 2

Mullingar Athletic saw out a six-goal result in a frantic 15-minute spell under the Gainstown astro-pitch floodlights on a cold and dry Saturday night, in the CCFL Div 2. In a crucial period between the 52nd and 68th minute, the visitors Grange United drew level only for the hosts to wrap up victory when substitute Stephen Cleary sent the ball trickling into the opposition goal.

Grange United were starved of chances in the opening 45 minutes; TJ Cox had two attempts on goal that were pulled wide, himself and Rhys Keena especially looking threatening if they received the right ball. John McCormack never had a shot bound for his net in the first-half, and his teammates did the damage up the field, and the opening goal was scored in the 17th minute of the match. Emmett Brennan, Ryan Bitu and Ben Shaw showed some beautiful skill in the build-up before Shaw’s cross into the box met the head of Efe Siode who powered his header beyond Cian Molloy for the hosts.

Mullingar Athletic had more chances to make the gap larger at the interval; Emmett Brennan’s delivered a brilliant through ball to Efe Siode seven minutes before the goal, but Siode’s first touch around the goalkeeper was too heavy and the ball trickled wide, and Nathan Scally had two efforts on goal. His first touch gave the opposing goalkeeper time to block the shot after Neilas Vilkanskas’s set him up with a low squared ball, and a long-range shot had to be foiled by a diving Cian Molloy. Mullingar Athletic remained ahead at half-time by the minimum.

Frantic period

Nathan Scally was again foiled by the Grange Utd goalkeeper four minutes into the second-half before Mullingar Athletic struck for goal number two in the 52nd minute; Neilas Vilkanskas’s header after Ben Shaw’s assist hit the crossbar before Ben Feano’s rebound found the net with his head. It only took a minute for the visitors to strike back though, as TJ Cox slid his effort into the bottom left hand corner of John McCormack’s net. Eight minutes later, and Cox was fouled inside the large rectangle and was awarded a penalty for the Laois men, the resulting shot was an unstoppable rocket high past the ‘keeper’s left, sending him the wrong way in the process. Mullingar Athletic took their chance to reply quickly, as in the 63rd minute, Emmett Brennan showcased lovely skill to fire his effort on target and into the far corner on the left hand side, before Stephen Cleary, assisted by Ben Shaw, was sent on his way to toe-poke the ball past an out-rushing Cian Molloy and into the Grange Utd net five minutes later, wrapping up the summit of the contest.

Mullingar Athletic saw out the result from here, and offered the visitors no major chances.

Nathan Scally found the crossbar in the 76th minute to his frustration when he tried to bend in a shot from range, and nearly availed of turnover ball in the Grange Utd box four minutes later. Jamie Archbold’s pass found Stephen Cleary nine minutes from the end, only for the latter to send his shot flying just by the near left hand post.

They had to fend off a fightback against stubborn opposition in a physical clash, and some had the battle scars to prove it, but Mullingar Athletic held out to their delight and relief.

Mullingar Athletic scorers: Emmett Brennan, Ben Feano, Efe Siode and Stephen Cleary 1 each.

Assists: Ben Shaw 2.

Grange United scorers: TJ Cox 2 (1 penalty).

Mullingar Athletic: John McCormack; Haydin Nolan, Emmett Brennan, Ben Feano, Ryan Veston; Ryan Bitu, Efe Siode, Ben Shaw; Nathan Scally, Jordan Scally, Neilas Vilkanskas.

Substitutes: Robbie Archbold for Haydin Nolan and Stephen Cleary for Efe Siode (64), Jamie Archbold for Ben Shaw (79), Eoin Daly for Nathan Scally and Ross Clinton for Neilas Vilkanskas (84).

Grange United: Cian Molloy; Stephen Farrell, Eddie Conway, Pat Donoghue, Lee Kelly; Danny McConnell, TJ Cox, Rhys Keena; Shane Doyle, David Ager, Stephen Myers.

Substitutes: Loaban Scilleigh for Stephen Farrell (51), Braidin Duggan for Eddie Conway and Jamie Cox for Lee Kelly (70), Riccinn Ling for Danny McConnell (74), Daniel Fitzsimons for Shane Doyle (77).

Referee: Ray Conlon.