Sunday, June 12, 2011

Welcome return to winning ways for the Briar

Green Briar FC 4:2 Canon Sportif FC

It is fair to say that after such a poor result last week, when 3 points were left on the table, that this week's fixture was pivotal to the Green Briar's season. A loss could have left the Greens in the doldrum's of the league table but with such a tight grouping of teams within reach, a win could change the tone of an up to now patchy season and see the team climb the table.

The Briar opened brightly and some nice link play between Morton and Samati almost fashioned a chance after 1 minute. Canon's threat to the Briar goal was minimal during this phase of the game. In fact Braima Samati came close when he beat his man in the box but his side foot shot went just wide. The defense was definitely sured up with the introduction of Peter Miller as sweeper as the Briar grew in confidence.

The Briar converted their possession into a lead on 15 minutes. Requils Morton picked the ball up on the left edge of the box and with a quick move he beat his man and got off an beautiful right footed shot. Using the outside of his boot the shot curled across the keeper and into the far side of the net.

Five minutes later the Briar dodged a bullet. A high looping freekick swung into the box from the left was not dealt with properly. Ken Mullane completely flapped in his attempt to address the ball and the resultant scramble ended with a shot over the bar. A slice of luck? Maybe. It has been such suspect defending that has burned the Greens all season but on this day it didn't go in and the team went from strength to strength after that.

On the half hour the lead was doubled. Requils Morton was again involved as he shielded the ball from 3 would be challengers on the edge of the Canon area. As the ball broke goalwards Tom Miller played an intelligent header across goal to Braima Samati. His shot was parried by the keeper into the path of George Lumanyika who had the simple task of a tap in.

Only 3 minutes later it was a 3 goal lead. Davey Coen won a freekick in an inviting central position just over 20 yards from goal. Gary Cassidy confidently took the responsibility to drive the ball goalwards. And what an exquisite drive he produced. There is a purity and gracefulness to the talents that Gary brings to the field that seem to make his extraordinary endeavours on the pitch look effortless. Every ounce of energy in his educated right foot was channeled with perfect mechanics into the football to send it on an arrowing trajectory to the top right corner of the net. The ball nor the keeper deviated an inch left or right in the second it took the ball to find the net. To quote the man himself, "Ridiculous".

Just before the half Canon found the net from the spot. A direct freekick from 25 yards was hit high into the defensive wall. Tom Caldwell was adjudged to have handled the ball on its way and the resultant penalty was dispatched with little effort.

Nonetheless a marked improvement and a healthy 3:1 return for our efforts in the first 45 minutes. The only change at the half was the introduction of Gary Hennessy for Conor Hannick, a change that would ensure the Briar defense would not miss a beat.

Ten minutes into the second half Ken Mullane produced a top class double save to protect the lead. On 15 minutes Ken would also reject a point blank shot as his reflexes and positioning were excellent. This string of saves was extremely important to the Greens as 2 minutes later Cassidy did it again.

Braima Samati was released down the right wing on 62 minutes. With a quick touch and look up he delivered a great cross to the far post to an unmarked Gary Cassidy. Gary took the ball on his chest and struck a volley which he deliberately lobbed over the keeper into the top of the net.

It has been said of the great players that the game slows down, especially in the highly contested environment of the final third. Gary's elegant control and finish was completed with such an efficiency of movement that it looked like it was in slow motion. Yet another quality finish to add to his 2011 season's portfolio.

Although the Briar enjoyed a healthy 3 goal lead, the need for vigilance was emphasised when Ken Mullane found yet another quality save, diving sharply to his left to turn an 18 yard strike away.

Ken's goal would eventually be breached on the stroke of full time by a nice shot on the half volley that found the top corner. There was little that could be done with the strike to be fair to Mullane, whose over all 90 minutes was excellent.

Peter Miller at sweeper was also outstanding in a performance where all Green Briar players acquitted themselves well. Lowell United will complete the first half of the season next week and after this weeks result the game can be approached in a very positive frame of mind.

Line Up: Mullane, Hannick(45'), Goin, P Miller, Lumanyika, T Miller, Caldwell(75'), Coen(c)(YC), Cassidy, Morton, Samati(70')
Subs: Hennessy(45'), McCarney(20'), DelPieri(15')

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