Ace Kermode ‘Well chuffed as he hits four

JOHN Kermode struck all four goals as Newfoundwell came back from 3-2 down to overcome relegation-threatened Rock Celtic and keep their title ambitions alive.

‘Well boss Danny Gartland made a few changes after the previous week’s shock defeat by Boyne Harps, and on the evidence of the early play it seemed to work as Dylan Kearney and Tom Reilly bossed the midfield and Adam O’Connor impressed on his first start of the season.

The breakthrough arrived after only six minutes when Craig O’Connor slipped a pass through to Kermode who beat Rock’s covering centre-half and sent a shot into the top corner of Paul Scanlon’s net from inside the D.

However, Rock - who have been in fine form recently - hit back when Derek Delany curled a low free kick around the ‘Well defensive wall to beat Bryan Smith, and Delany’s fellow veteran David Ward then briefly put the visitors into a shock lead.

Kermode restored parity just before half-time, only for Rock to edge ahead once more on 65 minutes as Conor Rafferty planted a great header past Smith from a corner kick.

However, the sending-off of young Rock defender Jack Reid shortly after proved a major turning point in the game as Newfoundwell went three at the back and threw everything at their opponents in the closing stages.

Craig O’Connor missed from a one-on-one situation and Kermode twice struck the woodwork before completing his hat-trick after a great move involving Adam O’Connor, Kearney and Daryl McDonagh.

Rock just couldn’t withstand the onslaught and three minutes from time Kermode beat Scanlon from close range to complete a memorable day for him personally as well as boosting the ‘Well’s title prospects.

With two of their rivals, Muirhevnamor and Navan Cosmos, drawing during the week, the Drogheda men will be champions if they win all their remaining games, but that’s an unlikely scenario and there’s sure to be plenty of twists and turns over the next few weeks as the Premier Division title race reaches its climax.