The more familiar environs of Mayor Thomas Danehy Park was the venue for the Over 30's this week, as they faced a Boston Gunners side that have shown some promise this season. Was this to be a real test for the Briar?
Gary Keane was hoping his form players, O'Connor, Hall and Hickey would continue their good performances this week. It would seem the trio can do no wrong lately, even managing a 1st place finish in the club's Trivia Event last Thursday night at the Green Briar. Their team "Golden Balls" schooling the competition along the way. Who'd have believed they knew so much about pressure (The scientific unit of which is the Pascal we learned on the night). Keane was forced to shuffle his midfield to begin the game however. Brendan Joyce gladly deputizing as O'Connor tended to some unfinished business.
The opening chance of the game arrived on 8 minutes. Stephen McDonagh picked up the ball on the left and swept a nice cross field pass to an unmarked Hickey. Continuing his run, McDonagh arrived at the 6 yard box to meet the cross that Hickey had delivered. McDonagh whiffed on the chance for his 1st goal of the campaign however, attempting the finish right footed when a simple tap in with his weaker left foot was the order of the day.
The exchanges over the ensuing minutes were evenly balanced. The Gunners going close from distance and later from the edge of the box following sloppy defending at a corner. The Briar replied when Kevin O'Donnell shot just over from long range, and John Hickey skewed a shot wide when he couldn't get over a bouncing ball.
The deadlock was broken on 28 minutes when a delightful reverse ball from John Hickey was slotted home confidently by Leo O'Connor.
Two minutes later, Conor Bagnell latched on to a deflected cross from Kevin Higgins. His left foot volley from the edge of the box was just off target.
The Gunners threatened again on 38 minutes when a cheap give away by the defense led to another long distance shot whistling wide of the Green Briar net. The final action of the half fell to Kevin O'Donnell. Davey Coen lifted a ball over the defense to Leo O'Connor. His 50/50 challenge with the keeper led to a deflected ball falling kindly to O'Donnell on the edge of the box. Losing his balance as he shot, he only managed to sky his effort well over.
Against a slight breeze in the second half the Briar conceded the equalizer right off the bat. A corner to the near post was dealt with poorly and the Gunners were level. The next few minutes of the game were important and the Gunners were unlucky not to take the lead. Capitalizing on complacent defending, they got a sharp shot away from inside the box only to see it go wide once again.
On 55 minutes the Briar produced the move of the match. A tidy interchange down the left wing from O'Connor and Coen led to a delightful cross. John Hickey rose to meet the ball from the 6 yard line but only managed to rock the underside of the crossbar. John was quick to point out after the game that if Danehy Park was equipped with the regulation round posts and crossbar, he surely would have added to his season's total.
The Briar continued to create great chances. Leo O'Connor raced away from the defense for a 1 on 1 with the keeper. Unfortunately he hit the bouncing ball over. Later Gavin Hall saw a shot saved brilliantly when he struck a cut back ball from O'Connor.
The lead was restored on 70 minutes. A long ball over the top from Coen was run down by O'Connor and he in turn found Hickey who was flying down the right. Hickey slid the ball home past the on rushing keeper in clinical fashion.
It would only take one more minute for the Briar to extend their lead. A powerful shot from Coen was deflected to the bi-line. Leo O'Connor picked up the loose ball and cut back for Gavin Hall who slotted the third.
Ten minutes later O'Connor was in again, however the ball fell to his weaker left foot and he dragged his shot wide of the target. On 80 minutes the Gunners found another goal from a near post corner. The Gunner's attacker reacting quickest in the box to head past Higgins who was guarding the post.
The two goal lead was restored just two minutes later. Tom McElwain played an exquisite pass over the defense to spring John Hickey free. His squaring ball was met first-time on the half volley by Leo O'Connor. The quality of the goal was only matched by it's simplicity as the three players involved contributed with one touch each to find the net emphatically.
The final action of the day saw Dave Coen very unlucky not to earn a spot kick when he was challenged late by the Gunners' keeper. The ball he had helped towards goal was well gone by the time the challenge arrived. The ball was cleared and the penalty shouts waved off however.
The performances have been steadily improving as the season continues, with notable shifts put in from Kilber-Stearns, O'Donnell and Kevin Higgins who filled in seamlessly at left back.
Line Up: Keane, Gillick, Hannick, Concagh, McElwain(c), Kilber-Stearns, Joyce, Hall, O'Donnell, Hickey, McDonagh. Subs: Bagnell, Kelly, O'Connor, Higgins, Coen, Shursky, Nassar
No comments:
Post a Comment