Lexington Eagles 0:1 Green Briar FC Over 30's
A sunny Lincoln Park in Lexington was the venue for the Over 30's campaign opener. Gary Keane's men were eager to get the season rolling and with a panel of 17 players to choose from and plenty of club support, they weren't going to disappoint.
Tom McElwain was chosen to captain the side this season and he led a solid backline of Paul Glynn, John Hickey and Danny Concagh in front of John Knightly in goal. Knightly would have little to do on the day, testiment to the dominance of the defense.
The opening exchanges were scrappy as the players shook off the cob webs of the off season, with some players coming back after a couple of seasons out. The first touch and movement off the ball finally came back as the chances began to be created through Gavin Hall and Leo O'Connor in the middle.
The first noteable chance fell to John O'Brien as he found space in front to control a cross from the right. With one touch to control and one to side foot a volley to the top corner, John was only denied by a late offside call from the referee.
The next piece of action saw Kevin O'Donnell find a spark of pace to get to the by-line and deliver a driven cross. The cross was handled by a defender and a spot kick was awarded. Kevin Higgins stepped up confidently and placed his left foot shot low to the keeper's left only to see it blocked and cleared to safety.
With no score at the half, Gary changed his midfield introducing Brendan Joyce and Connor Hannick. The Briar continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession as the second half unfolded and the defense held firm.
The Lexington Eagles were not happy with the physical nature of the defense's uncompromising challenges as one of their players was lucky not to see red after a retaliation. Kevin O'Donnell was enjoying the space being granted to him down the right and he found another great cross, digging the ball out from the by-line only to see Stephen McDonagh bundle the drilled ball off the cross bar.
Minutes later John O'Brien was unlucky with a spectacular over head effort. John would continue to torment the Eagles defense and the Galway man was unlucky not to open his account for the season when he found the net for a second time, only to be adjudged offside yet again.
With time running out and a Nil-Nil stalemate on the cards, the deadlock was finally broken on 86 minutes when Conor Hannick beat his man down the left and his squaring ball was controlled and smashed home by Leo O'Connor.
Three valuable points in the bag for the Briar as the quest for promotion got off to a promising start.
Line Up: Knightly, Glynn, Hickey, Concagh, McElwain(c), Gillick, Hall, O'Connor, O'Donnell, McDonagh, O'Brien. Subs: Hannick, Joyce, Higgins, Kilber-Stearns, Shursky, Nassar
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