Comfortable win for Rea as Patrick Dawson hits 4 goals

Despite a sluggish start it was the home side who hit the front after 15minutes. A deflected through ball from Greg Kennedy saw the ball fall to Paddy Dawson and he raced clear of the Ballymackey defense and kept his composure to finish to the corner of the net. Rea had the chance to make 2 nil soon after when Brian Nolan was upended in the box, however the ever-reliable Greg Kennedy saw his penalty crash off the post and bounce out to safety. Rea didn't have to wait much longer though for their 2nd of the evening. Following great play by James Deegan on the right-hand side, his cross found its way through to Paddy Dawson whose 1st time finish found the corner of the net. Credit to Ballymackey as they had their best spell of the 1st half and they pulled a goal back 5 minutes from halftime, a long range freekick from Callum White seemed to deceive the Rea keeper and it went all the way into the net. 2-1 at HT.
Ballymackey started the 2nd half very brightly and could have easily found themselves level on 2 separate occasions. Aidan White found himself one on one with the keeper but his volley just went over the bar. It was the same man again who had the next chance but Brian Hammersley was quick off his line to smother the shot. Rea weathered the storm and it was Paddy Dawson who completed his hat trick. Kieran Devitt picked up the ball in the middle of the field and he delayed his pass to slot Paddy in one on one with the keeper and he made no mistake again with a calm finish. Paddy could do no wrong as he got his and Rea's 4th of the evening. A somewhat fortunate goal as the keeper went to clear the ball, Paddy blocked it and the ball ended up in the net. Ballymackey pulled a goal back 5 minutes later when a mazy run from Callum White saw him release Aidan White in the box and his right footed strike found the top corner. James Deegan got Rea's 5th of the night when a mix up at the back saw him round the keeper and finish to an empty net, the least he deserved after a tireless performance.

Rearcross ‘A’: Brian Hammersley, Paul Ryan, Robert Harrington, Greg Kenney (Capt), Colm Carey, Cathal Kennedy, Brian Nolan, Kieran Devitt, James Rochford, Patrick Dawson, James Deegan
Subs: Aidan Bryan, Sean Malone, Eamonn Devitt, Anthony Ryan

Ballymackey ‘A’: B Hayes, D O’Brien, S Gibbons, T Hogan, D Bergin (Capt), S Spillane, R Mandrila, D Haverty, A White, J Kenneally, J Kenneally
Subs: P Duffy, D Campbell, J Kenneally, J Dunne

Referee: Robbie Nevin

Report by Robert Harrington

The woodwork denies Greg Kennedy from the spot

Patrick Dawson puts Rearcross 2-1 ahead

The home side stretch their advantage through Patrick Dawson

Patrick Dawson nets his fourth of the outing to cap off a man of the match performance