Harvard 0:3 Green Briar FC Over 30's
The Green Briar Over 30's surged to the top of their division with a comprehensive 3:0 win over the previously unbeaten Harvard side. The three goals on the day were a very nice compliment to another clean sheet earned by the stingy Briar defense.
Following a bit of a pattern this season, the Briar made a typically slow start. Disjointed and scrappy play in the middle of the park yielded very little going forward as well as a few nervous moments at the back. The Briar dodged a bullet when Harvard came close with a low shot from the edge of the box.
The best chances for the Briar were not converted in the first half. A quick break down the left saw a low cross behind the Harvard defense find Higgins in space at the back post. He shot wide however after squandering the half step he had gained on his marker.
Later, Kilber-Stearns beat his man on the right and found Hickey. The ensuing cross was met by Stephen McDonagh but he failed to get over the ball and the header sailed over.
The final chance of the half saw Hannick blaze over wildly from a promising free kick position on the edge of the box.
Gary Keane introduced Tom Walsh and David Coen for the second half to try and make the difference and break the stalemate. Play was definitely sharper in the second half as more and more clear chances began to be created.
The first of which fell to Patrick Kelly. A nice run from David Coen led to a cut back from the bi-line to an unmarked Kelly. His side foot effort was wide of the near post as the supporters were sure he'd find the net.
Tom Walsh was next to go close. Running behind the defense he controlled a long ball from Coen brilliantly, only to shoot straight at the keeper. Tom would make amends minutes later however. Good work by team captain McElwain and David Coen on the left found Walsh in front of goal and this time he made no mistake.
The lead was doubled rather fortuitously when a neat exchange between Hall and Coen led to an in-swinging cross from the left. Coen's cross kept sailing towards the back post and when the Harvard keeper misjudged the flight of the ball, it found the top corner.
Quick thinking from a throw-in saw Graham find Coen, who once again had found acres of space. His low driven cross was met by Hickey in the six yard box and he beat his marker to the ball to find a very neat finish.
Holding a comfortable lead, the Briar survived a close call when a long range effort just sailed over from the Harvard striker.
Finally, as time was expiring and the Briar front line was hungry to add to the score, another clear candidate for the 2011 Horse's A$$ award emerged. Kevin Higgins was previously on the short list when he confidently asserted in game 1 that he'd bury a penalty, only to scuff his spot kick and see it easily saved. As game 3 expired, Hickey may have one-up'ed his strike partner.
Mistaking a Lacrosse 20 yard field marking as the half way line, John Hickey confidently held his run in an attempt to remain on-side. As the ball was delivered over the top and the whistle went, he exclaimed "I'm in my own half sure!". He failed to notice that he was more than 15 yards off side and 30 yards inside the Harvard half, a fact that gave great enjoyment to the traveling fan base.
All joking aside, the Over 30's are gelling well in their inaugural season and are looking good after three games.
Line Up: Keane, Glynn, Hannick, Concagh, McElwain(c), Graham, Joyce, Hall, Flannery, Hickey, Higgins. Subs: Gillick, Bagnell, McDonagh, Coen, Walsh, Kilber-Stearns, O'Donnell, Kelly
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