Albion produced a majestic first half performance to lead 4-0 at the break against second placed Strand Utd at Eli Lilly this evening. Albion elected to play with the breeze in the first half and found themselves in front after their first attach when Rob Daly slotted home inside the first minute.

Albion always looked in control early on and on the 25th minute were awarded a free kick 30 yards out from the Strand goal. As Timmy Harrington lined the ball up Jason O’Riordan who I thought had retired yet stood togged out on the sideline noted that he was due one of these. Tim stepped up and fired the ball into the back of the Strand het. You were right Jason, you were right!

Three minutes later Albion were further ahead when Timmy slotted home his eighteenth goal of the season to make it 3-0 to the Albion.

The goal of the game came on the 35th minute when excellent build up play by Jody McNamara and Conan Dillon down the right resulted in a ball into Timmy who found some space and placed the ball past the Strand keeper to give him yet another Albion Hat trick and a 4-0 lead at the break.

Strand came out of the blocks strong in the second half taking advantage of the breeze this half. But Albion looked to have made it 5-0 when Rob Daly rounded their keeper and shot towards the goal, a Strand defender slide in on the line and cleared up off the post and out but it looked like the ball had crossed the line beforehand, never the less the ref ruled that it hadn’t crossed the line. Maybe Albion will have to invest in some goal line technology for Lilly and Ballinadee.

About a minute later Strand pulled one back to make it 4-1 and then continued to pile on the pressure with attack after attack but the resilient Albion defence held strong and kept them out. Albion had chances for themselves but failed to add to their lead and saw out with a excellent 4-1 win.

Albion’s win keeps their promotion hopes alive although with Rylanes defeat to Blackpool they may still have an outside shot at the title.

Team: Declan Murray, Jody McNamara (Darren Daly 85mins), Ger O’Connell, Colm O’Donovan (c), Jamie Daly, JP Hayes, Conan Dillon, Ben Dillon, James O’Driscoll (Troy Dillon 90mins), Rob Daly (Noel Twomey 80mins), Timmy Harrington Unused Subs: Jason O’Riordan, Dan Coleman