Mountmellick and Portlaoise serve up a six-goal thriller

Mountmellick have made it three wins from three in Division 1 of the CCFL, beating Portlaoise 4-2 on Sunday afternoon. Another few days of heavy rain left the Conor Davis Park vulnerable underfoot, and the surface began to cut up almost immediately.

Portlaoise came from behind to lead at the break, but Mountmellick were awesome in the second half, scoring three goals in five minutes to take all three points. 

Mountmellick Utd 4

Portlaoise AFC 2 

Mountmellick got off to a bright start with early chances for Colm Coss, Robbie Hibbitts and Shane O'Connell. Portlaoise almost took the lead in the 15th minute, when a long-range free kick from Ben Doyle forced an incredible save from Mick Spain at the near post.

The visitors kept up the pressure but could not create anything clear cut. Chances were few and far between until Mountmellick broke the deadlock in the 37th minute. Robbie Hibbitts got on the end of a great cross, whipped in Colm Murphy, and directed his header past Jack Pedro.

But Portlaoise were level five minutes later. A handball awarded against Colm Coss resulted in a penalty. Craig Reddin went high and drilled his shot beyond Mick Spain. 90 seconds later and the visitors were in front. Sean Kitchen bombed forward from left-back, noticed and big gap at Spain's near post, and sent in a rocket of a shot.

Spain got a hand to it, but could not keep it out. 2-1 to Portlaoise at half time.

Mountmellick dominated after the break, however, putting Portlaoise under immense pressure straight from kick-off. The hosts were level on the hour mark, thanks to a piece of magic from Conor Comiskey, who rippled the net from 30 yards.

Young striker, Chris Lee then scored twice in the following five minutes as Mountmellick looked ominous. The first was a superb finish from the edge of the box, struck low and hard past Jack Pedro.

Mountmellick continued to press and a long ball into the box led to a collision between Lee and Pedro. Lee managed to get a flick on the ball and turn it into the net, with the Portlaoise 'keeper forced off injured in the process.

The visitors had no answer and Mountmellick continued the offence for the last half an hour. Colm Coss came close twice, including a beautiful strike from distance that came back off the crossbar.

Mountmellick suffered two injuries before the end, with Eoin George nursing a hamstring problem as he limped off. The hosts lost their goalkeeper as well, with Mick Spain a victim of the conditions, rolling his ankle off the ball. They have quite a replacement mind, with experienced Gaelic football goalkeeper, Eoghan Keogh taking over.

Mountmellick will be content with the two-goal victory, which leaves them on maximum points after a fabulous start to the season. Portlaoise began their league campaign with back-to-back wins, but have now lost their last three on the bounce.