NO STOPPING SUPER GLENS

WICKLOW TOWN GLENCORMAC UTD 2 5

GLENCORMAC UNITED’S good form continued at Finlay Park last Sunday as their quest for a first trophy in 16 years continued apace.

A first half Nathan Waters hattrick was added to in the second period by marauding centre back Luke O’Callaghan and super-sub Sam Kerr added the cherry on the cake near the end.

Soft underfoot conditions were not constructive to good football but both teams dug in on the slippy surface to provide an enjoyable high scoring match.

Glencormac could have had a dream start as within 12 seconds centre forward James Delahunty found himself through on goal. His low effort beat advancing Town keeper Ian Murphy but unfortunately for the United striker also narrowly beat the goaltender’s left hand post.

On nine minutes the visitors got the lead they craved, a clearance header by centre back Luke O’Callaghan beat the home side’s defence and Waters was onto it in a flash, he cut inside onto his right boot with the poise of a confident attacker and buried his effort past Murphy.

The Glens did not rest on their laurels and pushed for the extra security of a second goal.

Delahunty, who was always lively, provided a chance for Waters who had a good effort parried away by Murphy before Delahunty himself tested the Town stopper from distance.

At this point, Paddy Murphy of Town rose to the challenge in midfield and the home side started creating chances.

Firstly, Eddie Kelly had a goal chalked off for offside.

Then Eddie Geraghty found room down the right flank but his intricate ball through to speedy forward David Shortall ended with his effort flying across the face of goal.

Eventually, their pressure told on 24 minutes. Murphy skipped by a few weak challenges in the middle of the park he spread the play to Shortall on the left of the penalty area whose first time drilled cross was scrambled home by Geraghty for the equaliser.

The goal seemed to spur Glencormac out of their slumber and through Ben O’Callaghan and the impressive Simon Doyle they retook control of the midfield.

With Delahunty always providing an outlet, they pushed on in search of the lead.

On 37 minutes a long, floated free kick by Alan Hill eluded everyone in the Wicklow penalty area except for dangerman Waters at the back post and he drilled home from eight yards out.

More chances came for Glencormac with heroic defending, goalkeeping and unluckiness keeping the contest close.

In first half injury time, they got their breathing space when Waters completed his hat-trick.

Delahunty won a flick on, Waters gathered and passed to Dean McCormack in space, who feinted to shoot, however, at the last moment, he deliciously clipped a ball into Waters path and he expertly sidefooted home.

That goal seemed to deflate Town and a raft of half-time Glencormac substitutions led to a strangely subdued opening to the second period.

A few half chances here and there for both sides littered the first 20 minutes after the interval.

On 67 minutes a beautiful counter attacking goal from United illuminated the gloomy day.

A Town corner was hacked clear to Waters on halfway, he laid back to Doyle who drove through the heart of the Town defence and as he tried to go wide to Sam O’Callaghan the ball was deflected perfectly into the path of marauding centre half Luke O’Callaghan, who, with the composure of a seasoned centre forward, sidefooted beyond the keeper.

As O’Callaghan strode back to the centre of defence he had to answer his manager Colm Mulligan politely enquiring why he was so far out of position at that time. No pleasing some bosses!

Five minutes later, Glencormac had a fifth, Doyle with an audacious volleyed pass freed half-time sub Sam Kerr who rounded keeper Murphy before slotting home.

In fairness, Town kept going and eight minutes from time Paddy Murphy got a goal his performance deserved.

He chased a ball down the line just kept it in play before skipping inside the cover and firing low and hard past Glencormac’s keeper.

No doubting the better team won. In Doyle, McCormack and the O’Callaghan brothers they had the outstanding players on show.

Paddy Murphy was Town’s best player, however, man of the match has to go to hat-trick hero Waters who, apart from his goal, his willingness to work, hassle and chase lost causes never gave the Town defence time to breath.