Hallahan ‘Super Strike’ makes it safe against Crosshaven

Wanderers started the second half of the league season with a win that was anything but straightforward. From the fourth minute, when Fitzy lost the head and saw red, until the eighty first minute when Halla struck, this game was again in the balance.

The first shot in anger came after ten minutes from a Crosshaven midfielder whose sweet left foot strike from distance flew just wide of Greeners right hand post. This was a warning for the home team that the visitors were prepared to shoot on sight, any chance they got. Wanderer’s first strike came from Shane Geasley when he turned in from the right and curled a left foot effort just beyond the far post. Next Mikey O’ Shea hit a long range effort that moved in the air but the keeper had his body right behind it. Wanderers should have taken the lead after 32 minutes when the ball found its way across the area to the feet of Eoin Hastings. His point blank shot from two yards somehow cannoned off the keeper away to safety. The keeper was however injured in this action and had to be substituted. This should have offered the home side a great opportunity to make hay, even with ten men, but they were never able to.

The next clear cut chance came eight minutes into the second half. A long ball was cushioned exquisitely on his foot by Chubbs. He slipped Davin O’ Neill in on the left. Davin hit a strong shot across the keeper but just wide of the far post. He was not to be denied for long and just four minutes later gave Wanderers the lead. Pater Nolan advanced down the left and slipped a perfect pass into the path of O’ Neill. His fierce left foot strike got a touch off the keeper but it didn’t stop the ball from nestling in the far corner of the net. On 77 minutes Dave Stack sent Mikey O’ Shea clear down the left but his cross was cut out just in front of Stapleton who was poised to score. On 80 minutes Wanderers were awarded a free on the edge of the box although it looked like the offence took place inside the box. Chubbs drove the free kick towards goal but somehow the stand-in keeper reacted to dive to his right to make a stunning save.

Mikey O’ Shea was unable to continue after struggling with an injury for a while and with Hallahan the only sub left on the bench, there was no choice but to stick the sub-keeper up front. Within a minute Halla evoked great scenes of joy and mayhem as he put the game to bed with a left foot volley to the net from close range following a deep cross from the left by Peter Nolan. Wanderers are cup bound for the next while starting with a huge tie against Crumlin United in Dublin next Sunday in the 4th round of the Intermediate Cup.

Don’t forget to book your place on the supporters bus for the game by putting your name on the list in JD’s.

Team: Jason Greene, Eoin Hastings, Dave Stack, Timmy O’ Shea, Brian Fitzgerald, Owen Kinsella(Gary Collins 10), Shane Geasley, Mikey O’ Shea(Shane Hallahan 80), Davin O’ Neill(Stephen Bruton 71), Peter Nolan.

Scorers: D. O’ Neill 57, S. Hallahan 81.