2011 Season Begins

Green Briar FC 1:4 Lowell Lusitanos

Our MSSL side were on the wrong end of a 4-1 result on Sunday April 3rd against Lowell Lusitanos as we opened the season with a frustrating loss at Danehy Park in Cambridge. Our pre game preparations could have been better and starting the game without a dedicated goalkeeper made for a tough assignment on the day.

With Brian Claus deputising in goal, we nonetheless fielded a strong side with 5 across the middle. Losing the toss and playing into a stiff breeze that was sweeping across the elevated Danehy Turf field meant extra pressure on the defense in the 1st half. The early going was all Lusitanos, and the Briar defense withstood unrelenting pressure as we failed to establish any rhythm or maintain possession in the middle of the park.

Brian Claus in goal dealt with the pressure well, including an agile save to his right as he tipped over a powerful shot. The deadlock was finally broken after 28 minutes when a Lowell attacker found space down the left for a shot inside the box which found the net.

Shortly afterwards Lusitanos were in again after sloppy play in the middle led to a break away. The Lowell striker skewed his close range shot wide however, after good pressure from the on-rushing keeper. That miss seemed to spur on the Greens as Gary Cassidy and Davey Coen started to get a foot hold in the middle. Our final ball was very poor though, as a number of players squandered possession after finding promising positions.

With time running out in the 1st half, the Green Briar conceded a soft second goal from long range on 42 minutes which was a disappointing way to enter the half time break.

Second half adjustments pushed Leo O'Connor forward and introduced Tom Calwell and Egor Kharakozov into the middle of the park, as we went 4-4-2 with the wind, looking to get back into the contest. As expected, we enjoyed greater possession with the wind at our backs but our endeavours in the final third still remained poor.

Lusitanos spent most of the half defending their goal, but still found time to cash in on a cheap giveaway at the back to make it 3-0 after 60 minutes. The response from the Greens was excellent however, as Cassidy and Caldwell were creating good opportunities down the right hand side. And it was Cassidy who found Leo O'Connor on the edge of the box before Leo dispatched a fine strike to the corner of the net.

Sensing a comback, the Briar pushed men forward and this was to bear fruit as Egor Kharakozov was hauled down in the box with 15 minutes left after a searching freekick from Emmett Doonan. Davey Coen stepped up and placed a fine penalty to the left corner of the net only to see it saved brilliantly by the Lusitanos net minder.

A chance spurned but the Greens kept coming, creating a couple of additional chances as Leo O'Connor was just short of pace to square the ball to an unmarked Cassidy in front of goal and Davey Coen's squaring ball to O'Connor was played just behind the Limerick man.

As time expired, Lowell found time for a fourth as Emmett Doonan and Brian Claus committed the cardinal sin and hesitated 6 yards from goal. The ball bounced and was poked home by the Lusitanos front man.

Overall a disappointing result, but some encouraging signs for games to come, as chances were created and better industry was displayed in the second half.

Line Up: Claus, Hennessy(45'), Lally(YC), Escallon(72'), Clarke, Cassidy, Coen(c), O'Connor, Lumanyika(55'), Samati(45'), Morton
Subs: Caldwell(45' YC) Kharakozov(45') Doonan(35') Hannick(18')