Colm Hyland hat-trick helps Willow to victory

COLM Hyland's second half hat-trick helped defending league champions Willow Park maintain their 100 per cent start to the new season against a stubborn and well-organised Clara Town on Sunday. Willow - who also won the Leinster Junior Cup last season - are searching for a fourth straight league title, and over the past week began their campaign with victories over Mountmellick Utd and Mullingar Athletic. This three-point haul was not as straight forward as the scoreline might suggest though, with Martin Devine's Clara putting up a strong defensive performance that frustrated the home side for long periods. Indeed, after Willow missed a first-half penalty, they had to wait until the 64th minute to finally break Clara's mean resistance, with the men from the Faithful County deploying a 4-5-1 system which made it difficult for Willow to penetrate. However, after scraping past Mullingar Athletic in their previous midweek game, where they required an injury time winner, Willow will be glad of the points. Clara's intentions were made clear from the off, with former Athlone Town striker Gary Devine leading the line in a one-man attack, and they diligently set about stifling Willow's normal passing approach. The likes of Robert Mitchell, Alan Kelly and Mark Kelly helped form a mass shield in front of Clara's back four, in which Derek Coughlan and Deasún Baggott performed heroically for long spells. However, in the end, Willow always looked likely to push on and win the game comfortably once they broke the deadlock, but it was an anxious wait for the home side before Hyland eventually found the net with just over 25 minutes remaining. Hyland's first goal was a cracking finish, volleying home in emphatic style after a neat lay-off by newcomer Sean Brennan, who has been promoted to the senior side this year after impressing with the youths in recent years. Brennan almost prised open the visitors defence after six minutes, but goalkeeper Kevin Sammon read his intentions well and cut out his through-ball aimed for Colm Hyland. Clara only had brief sojourns into the Willow half but could've sneaked in front with a rare counter attack on eleven minutes, when Gary Devine got the better of Ronan Frawley in a straight race for possession but shot too close to Ian Bolger. Willow quickly regained the momentum though, and Sammon went full-stretch to keep out a downward header by Colm Hyland following a cross from the left by Mark Nicholson. Benny Magennis then tried his luck with a 25-yard rasper but his effort rose above Sammon's crossbar. Clara's most glaring opportunity came in the 17th minute when Alan Kelly's cross picked out Gary Fitzpatrick breaking from midfield. But Fitzpatrick, just eight yards out, headed straight at Bolger when he really should've netted. Just moments later, Willow left-back Peter Sherlock made a marauding run up the flank, but his low shot was well blocked by Sammon. Clara managed to clear the rebound with Magennis threatening to pounce. The breakthrough should've come for Willow in the 21st minute when they were awarded a penalty following a foul inside the box by Alan Kelly on Sherlock. But Nicholson flashed his spot-kick wide of Sammon's right-hand post. Sammon then did well to deny Colm Hyland after Ronan Frawley's through-ball, before Frawley himself went close with a header from a corner kick. Frawley, who was always willing to join the Willow attack, then went close on two occasions. Firstly, his effort was scrambled to safety after yet another Willow corner kick, before Sammon made a brilliant fingertip save to push his header over the crossbar. Sean Brennan then looked for a penalty kick after a challenge by Mark Kelly, but this time referee Joe Cassidy waved play on. Willow suffered a blow within three minutes of the restart when key midfielder Gary McHugh picked up a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by veteran striker Brian Frawley, meaning a reshuffle by manager Tony O'Sullivan. Benny Magennis dropped back to left midfield, with Aidan Hyland (previously playing on the left wing) taking McHugh's central midfield role. Brian Frawley had a perfect opportunity to score in the 57th minute when Brennan's lovely lofted cross picked him out at the back post, but Ronan Frawley couldn't direct his effort on target. Devine had a decent chance on 62 minutes when he again managed to be get the better of Ronan Frawley, but his effort was comfortably saved by Bolger. However, Willow broke Clara's resistance in the 64th minute when the ever reliable Sherlock broke down the left and crossed to the far post, where Brennan neatly chested the ball into the path of Colm Hyland and he buried it past Sammon. Brennan then sent a great low cross into the six-yard box but Willow had nobody on hand to tap home. Ronan Frawley had a header cleared off the line as Willow upped the pressure and Clara began to lose their shape somewhat. The second goal arrived for the champions on 72 minutes. Aidan Hyland made a phenomenal burst forward from midfield and set up his brother Colm for a simple tap-in. Colm Hyland then completed his hat-trick on 81 minutes with a neat finish, and the home side could've added further goals late on through Aidan Hyland, Sherlock and Ronan Frawley. Willow Park: Ian Bolger; Jimmy Mullally, Peter Sherlock, Graham Whittaker, Ronan Frawley, Mark Nicholson, Sean Brennan, Gary McHugh, Benny Magennis, Colm Hyland, Aidan Hyland. Subs: Brian Frawley for McHugh (47 mins), Kieran McNally for Brennan (81), Mattie Shine for C Hyland (83). Clara Town: Kevin Sammon; Paul Mitchell, Pat Smyth, Derek Coughlan, Deasún Baggott, Robert Mitchell, Alan Kelly, Gary Fitzpatrick, Gary Devine, Mark Kelly, Thomas Quinn. Subs: Sean Moran for Fitzpatrick (53 mins), John Fitzpatrick for A Kelly (60), Stephen O'Brien for Quinn (75), Barry Cushew for M Kelly (80). Referee: Joe Cassidy.