Over 30's Maintain 100% Record

Green Briar O30's 2:0 Lexington Eagles

The second round of fixtures of the Spring season kicked off with the return match against the Lexington Eagles. Scattered showers had left the surface slick and wet, so it was clear that players' first touch would be key.

With twenty players to choose from, it would have been hard for Gary Keane not to put out a great side. Gary initially omitting John Hickey from the starting eleven but was quick to make the correction to the line up after seeing the incredulous look on Hickey's face. He would stick with his big front man even though his goal scoring form has waned in recent weeks.

The first chance of the morning fell to John Flannery. A deep corner was delivered to the back post by Kevin O'Donnell. John turned the ball towards goal with a stooping header only to see the ball deflected away inadvertently by team mate Leo O'Connor.

A few minutes later the Eagles responded with a long range free kick. The effort was dipping under the bar before it was turned over brilliantly by the goalkeeper.

A couple of chances fell to Tom Walsh in the first half. He failed to find the net with his head from a delivery from the left and earlier he had spurned a great chance from 6 yards out. John Hickey providing a cut back ball from the bi-line.

Another great chance was crafted by Kilber-Stearns on the right. His good cross was wasted in front by Graham who couldn't time his jump properly.

As the second half was developing there must have been some concern building on the bench as the deadlock remained unbroken. Chance after chance was coming and going without the net being found.

Good crosses from both wings failed to be converted. John Hickey heading over from close range after a pin point cross from Kilber-Stearns and John O'Brien also failing to find the mark with his head from a Tom Walsh cross. Later John O'Brien would be in 1 on 1 with the keeper but a heavy first touch saw the chance wasted.

The Briar finally found the net when a scramble in the Eagles' box only lead to a poor clearance. The ball was collected on the left by Graham and was clipped back into the danger area. Tom Walsh rose at the back post and connected with a looping header that found the net at the far post. John O'Brien was quick off the mark to follow the ball goalwards but was unable to rob Walsh of his second goal of the season.

Once the lead was established the Briar continued to make good chances. The lead was doubled after a driving run from Leo O'Connor led to an own goal. Running all of 40 yards from halfway into the Eagles' penalty area, O'Connor rode a despairing challenge and dragged a right foot shot across the goal. With the defender facing his own net and under pressure to clear, he stabbed the ball into his own net to double the lead for the Briar.

As the game was winding down there was time for Walsh to miss two more sitters that could have led to a second half hatrick. A beautiful deep cross from Vladimir Shursky was headed back across goal to an unmarked Walsh. He could not find the killer touch however as he saw a weak header easily collected by the goal keeper.

Later, Conor Hannick cleverly found Tom Walsh from a close range freekick. With everyone expecting a shot, Hannick produced a nice lay off to Walsh unmarked in the box. Tom collected the ball and sliced his shot terribly wide.

Although the Briar completed another comfortable victory and kept a clean sheet, it will be important for the sharpness in front of goal to return as the team builds towards the playoffs.

Line Up: Keane, Glynn, Hannick(YC), Concagh, McElwain(c), O'Donnell, Joyce, Hall, Flannery, O'Connor, Hickey

Subs: Graham, Walsh, Kilber-Stearns, O'Brien, Kelly, Nassar, Shursky, Higgins, Gillick