WILLOW PARK 2 BIRR TOWN 0
John Dingle
Willow Park were seeking a swift return to winning ways at DPD Park on Sunday afternoon last against Birr Town, two goals in the first half steering Colin Fortune’s charges to a deserved win, one which edges the victors to within a point of Monksland United at the top of the table.
Willow earned two corner kicks inside the first five minutes as they looked for a positive start to proceedings, Cian Hayden and Bryan Hughes both having shots saved by the Birr goalkeeper. Ricky Fitzsimons fired wide for the visitors and was also off target with a further chance.
The home team took the lead after 20 minutes when James Flanagan showed good skill to turn and then shoot to the roof of the net after being set up by James Fortune. The lead might have been shortlived however only for a fine save from Shane McEnery. Johnny Corboy tried his luck with a cross cum shot from the right and the Willow keeper did well to tip the ball onto the bar.
Willow survived and then doubled their lead after 37 minutes. Tommy Hurley was taken down in the box and then drilled the resulting penalty kick low past the keeper’s left to the net. Birr were still proving dangerous with McEnery again called into action soon after the second score. Ronan Bergin took aim but his shot was parried by the Willow keeper. The final home chance on the stroke of half time saw Flanagan head wide a Neil Kenny cross from the right.
The opening action when play resumed saw Willow force a corner but Birr soon gained a foothold in the game as they looked to reduce the deficit. Nathan Williams fired a volley over the bar with a Corboy free kick also causing Willow some concern. The visitors were pushing hard for a goal and were only denied by the woodwork for the second time in the game. Just after the hour mark, Fitzsimons raced clear and looked set to score, the ball was rolled beyond McEnery but somehow came back off the post to let Willow off the hook.
A further chance fell to Riann McLaughlin but his shot came back off the keeper midway through the half. Birr had come close but that ended the challenge from the visitors as Willow then eased towards the finish and another three points gained, the home team creating a few more chances to add to their goal tally.
Three more corners were earned as the game headed into the closing stages. Kenny sent in another inviting cross from the right but the Birr keeper collected the ball before a Willow player could pounce. Hughes had the last home chance in stoppage time but fired over. A corner for Birr ended the action as the game soon came to a conclusion following five additional minutes being played.
Willow are now in second spot on their own and, with a game in hand on table toppers Monksland, are well placed to challenge for the title in the new year.
