Lowell United 5:2 Green Briar FC
Cawley Stadium in Lowell was the venue for the Briar's latest performance against United who are considered the strongest team in Lowell, if not the league. A 5:15PM KO ensured that the worst of the summer heat had passed and that the conditions were good for a game of football.
The pre match preparations were not ideal however as many players showed up a few minutes before kick off or in fact later than that, as well as some players having other games under their belt earlier in the day. On a day when the assignment was of the toughest variety it did not help that our preparations weren't as they should be to give us the best chance of success.
It took the well drilled Lowell outfit only 5 minutes to punish lack lustre play at the back. A cheap turn over from a throw out by the keeper had the entire Briar defense on the back foot. An attacker gained the bi-line and his squaring ball was bundled home in front of Ken Mullane by an unmarked striker. It was going to be a long day.
On 19 minutes, after the Briar had absorbed plenty of pressure, Lowell struck the post with a well timed volley from the edge of the box. A minute later the Briar showed some attacking promise of their own. Requils Morton stealing a yard on his marker and shooting powerfully only to be denied by the Lowell keeper.
As the keeper claimed the ball, he immediately released his full back down the right hand side that had been vacated by the attacking Morton. The break was on and it was executed to perfection. The full back streaked up the wing, drawing Emmett Doonan out of the middle before squaring to his striker for a great smash and grab counter attack goal.
At 2-0 the management just wanted to get their tiring side in to the half time break within striking distance of the home side. A chance to freshen up the side with the ample subs that were in reserve may have made the difference. It was not to be however, as the Greens were to fall prey to a similar collapse to what was seen against the other league power house (Olympiakos) a few weeks earlier.
At this level errors are punished and complacency at the back is found out in short order. With two more strikes within 2 minutes before the half the tie was slipping away. A break down the right on 40 minutes left the Briar midfield in its wake as a midfielder gained the right corner of the box. His sharp shot found the net low to Mullane's right.
The first half misery was completed 2 minutes later when a breaking ball at the edge of the box that could have been cleared fell to a Lowell player and was smashed to the top corner of the net. A bitter pill to swallow for a Briar side that fancied their chances after last week's result but failed to put in the work in practice or value their pre match preparation to back up these confident thoughts.
Peter and Tom Miller along with new boy Ray Moran were introduced at the half with the simple instructions for the team being - Win the second half!
A new found energy was displayed by the Briar as the second half got under way and after ten minutes they had their reward. A searching free kick from Gary Cassidy broke to Peter Miller at the back post. His shot was parried into the path of Requils Morton and he smashed the ball to the roof of the net.
Ten more minutes of pressure followed but again the Briar would undo this work all by themselves. A free kick from the half way line was set up to pick out any of the players that had moved up in the hopes of making something happen offensively. With most of the team committed to the attack and the free kick from Colin Goin falling short of its target, the break was on again.
A swift break down the right hand side ended with the defense short handed and Ken Mullane beaten at his near post. This called for a string of other substitutes to be introduced to quell the finger pointing and recriminations that are not an admirable trait of any side. Eamonn McCarney, Brian Claus and Gary Hennessy who were patiently waiting in the wings were given their chance.
McCarney's energy was needed to liven the side once more and he was in fact very unlucky to receive his marching orders after a 50/50 with the Lowell keeper ended with tempers flaring.
Eight minutes before time the Briar created something more for themselves. A deep ball to the edge of the box was headed down beautifully by Peter Miller into the path of Requils Morton. As he was bundled over in his attempt to finish the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Brian McGuinness has emerged as a reliably penalty taker in recent weeks and he made no mistake once more as the Briar gained some pride back in doing what they set out to do by winning the second half..
There can be a lot said about the second half performance in Lowell where the players showed spirit and the skill to back up their desire to get back into the tie. Discounting the overall result, this second half performance should be emphasised and built upon during the break and the team re-gathers itself and the squad is re-shuffled for the games in the fall.
Line Up: Mullane, Hannick(45'), Goin, Doonan, Lumanyika(75' YC), Cassidy(65'), Caldwell(45' YC), Coen(c)(70'), McGuinness, Morton, O'Connor(45')
Subs: T Miller(45'), P Miller(45'), Moran(45'), McCarney(25' RC), Claus(20'), Hennessy(15'), Coyne
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