Boston Olympiakos 5:0 Green Briar FC
A visit to Rotch Playground to meet Boston Olympiakos was always going to be a tough assignment. Even with many squad members unavailable or injured the Briar still fielded a quality team. The quality of the Olympiakos outfit was never in doubt however, including quick and strong players such as former New England Revs player Khano Smith. It would be their strength and speed of play and ruthless finishing that would prove the difference in the tie.
Two minutes after kick off the Briar survived a close call from an Olympiakos corner. Ken Mullane in goal producing a sharp double save from a powerful header and subsequent rebound. The threat from set pieces was always going to cause problems and this was an early warning sign.
The Briar settled into the game nicely after this and played some nice football on the expansive Rotch field. On 17 minutes Olympiakos took the lead from another corner. Using their height advantage, they attacked an inswinging delivery and with suspicions of hand ball waved off the goal was awarded.
The Briar took this set back in stride and fashioned their own chance on 32 minutes. Brian McGuinness won a ball in midfield and swept a cross field pass to Tom Miller. With a nice step over Miller found a yard of space to deliver a good cross to the back post. The ball was met by Braima Samati, but his header was just wide of the target.
On 42 minutes Brian Claus attacked his marker with a driving run and slipped the ball back to Braima Samati whose sharp shot went wide right. The Briar were content with the first half performance and felt the tie was still within reach for the second half.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half was to prove decisive and the talented Olympiakos players came out with guns blazing to score a hatrick of goals in the blink of an eye. A break down the left on 47 minutes lead to an Olympiakos player cutting in and across the 18 yard box. As Mullane advanced to close the angle, the ball was slipped passed the Briar keeper and also Conor Hannick as he attempted a despairing block.
Three minutes later a simple breakdown in passing as the Briar tried to play out of defense saw a through ball elude Colin Goin and roll into the path of an on rushing Olympiakos player. Ken Mullane attempted a last ditch tackle but commited a foul and a spot kick was awarded. Khano Smith made no mistake with the penalty.
Yet more damage was inflicted to the Briar goal 2 minutes later. Conor Hannick was put under pressure in his left back position and he left a back pass short. The wayward ball was collected by Smith and he found the net with a near post finish from a tight angle.
Somewhat shell shocked from this blitz of pressure, the Briar took some time to settle back into the rhythm of play that helped them contain their talented opponents in the first half.
On 63 minutes a very unsavory challenge from an Olympiakos midfielder on Tom Miller was lucky not to cause serious injury. Miller took exception to the wreckless challenge above his ankle with a retaliatory reaction. Both men would receive straight red cards and early marching orders. Miller could feel a little aggrieved to see red after being the victim of such a cynical foul.
The Briar struggled to create anything clear cut in the second half and were unlucky to concede a fifth when a long range shot found the net off the under side of the bar after Mullane attempted the save.
On the stroke of full time Conor Hannick made a nice double save on the line to prevent conceding a sixth, but the tie was well gone at that stage.
A tough 2 week period is now followed by 2 weeks without a competitive fixture. This will hopefully allow the squad to regain some health and work on things to right the ship for the 3 matches in June.
Line Up: Mullane, Hannick, Goin(c), Lally(66'), Hennessy(57'), McGuinness, O'Connor(75'), Claus(55'), T Miller(RC), Morton, Samati
Subs: McCarney(35'), Lumyanika(33'), Coyne(24'), DelPieri(15')
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