Horse's Ass Nominees Thus Far

1. Kevin Higgins
Before a penalty kick in game 1 of the Spring season versus Lexington Eagles, Higgins confidently exclaimed 'Gimme the ball and I'll bury it'. He subsequently took a shocking penalty that was easily saved.

2. John Hickey
An away game versus Harvard saw John Hickey re-writing the offside rule, as he looked ridiculous claiming his run was beautifully timed versus the 20 yard lacrosse line on the field (not the half way line).

3. Tom McElwain
In a friendly match versus Boston Gunners, McElwain came up with a goal of the season nominee. Facing his own goal, Tom steadied himself under a high ball and volleyed with authority into the top right hand corner on the net (his own net unfortunately).

4. Leo O'Connor
The opening game of the fall season was played in torrential conditions, lashing rain and on a pitch with inches of standing water. Much to the dismay of one Leo O'Connor, who before the game went canvasing like Obama. Campaigning to anyone who'd listen in order to get the game abandoned.

5. Petey McNamee
Come back kid Petey McNamee didn't take long to find his form on the pitch as he joined the team for the fall season. In his third game versus United International he also discovered the dangers of taking a throw in. McNamee pulling up with a tweaked back that required he leave the game as he attempted to restart play and come to terms with getting old.

6. Conor Hannick
The big Mayo man somewhat tarnished his Club man of the Year reputation by sleeping in at the most inopportune time, leaving his team mates without a set of gear to start the game versus United International.

7. Gavin Hall
Govenor has the dubious distinction of commiting three acts that are normally punishable with the purchase of a round of shots for his teammates. A penalty miss and 2 red cards. Not a single shot has been purchased by the culprit in a shocking abuse of the team's rules.

8. Other nominees accepted....

Terrific performance in defeat from the Briar

Green Briar FC 1:3 Boston Olympiakos

A game versus the undefeated league leaders may have sounded like a daunting task on paper but the Green Briar players showed up ready to play and with an appetite to compete with the best outfit in the State.

With that energy the Briar drew first blood. Peter Miller's intelligent restart sent Gary Cassidy down the right wing. His cross's trajectory proved too much for the Olympiakos goalkeeper as the ball curled and dipped into the far corner of the net for a terrific start.

Straight from the restart the Briar knew that the remaining 85 minutes would be their longest of the season as Olympiakos signaled their intentions with a shot from the centre circle that nearly caught Ken Mullane napping. He succeeded in palming it onto the bar and reclaiming the rebound.

The Briar conjured up two more magnificent chances even before the 15 minute mark. With no room for error against top opposition, the Greens would rue not stamping their authority on proceedings and putting Olympiakos away while they were genuinely wavering early on.

Davey Coen saw a beautiful half volley from the breakdown of a corner kick blocked superbly within the 6 yard area. Minutes later Mickey Sexton was released over the top by Tom Caldwell. A guilt edged opportunity in a one on one with the keeper was not converted however, as his low shot was palmed away.

On the 20' mark the Briar showed naivety in their play. When controlling the tempo and slowing down proceedings was the order of the day, an ill advised quick throw, as the Greens were attacking, caused a sloppy turn over. With the team unbalanced, Olymipakos broke down the right with pace and slotted home the equalizer.

Olympiakos were growing in stature as the game continued. Ken Mullane was called upon on a number of occasions and Emmett Doonan and Peter Miller were getting all they could handle at the back.

With only a minute left in the half Mullane in the Briar goal gifted Olympiakos the lead. As a diagonal ball entered the box, Ken called off his defender's clearance in order to claim the ball himself. Unaware of an Olympiakos attacker stealing in at the back, he was second to the ball and the break fell in the six for the simple tap in.

Mental lapses and individual mistakes have been somewhat of an Achilles Heel this season, but nonetheless the Briar entered the half time break with the confidence that their team could compete.

As the second half got under way it became obvious that a tough midfield battle lay ahead in order to get back into the game. Brian McGuinness became the first collateral damage of that battle, as he picked up a nasty head injury which required 5 stitches. Later, Tom Caldwell would add to the attrition needing to retire from the game late on with a rib injury.

The first chance of note in the second half fell to Olympiakos on the 65' mark. Emmett Doonan was caught on the ball at the back and that led to a break away. Luckily for Doonan, on this occasion his keeper bailed him out of jail.

With 10 minutes remaining the Briar had their chance to equalize. Super sub Eamonn McCarney was found down the left wing by Keith McLoughlin. With a dip of the shoulder he skipped inside his marker and played the ball across the box to Gary Cassidy. His return ball to McCarney found the Fermanagh man 8 yards out with the ball head height.

The better option may have been to bring the ball down and shoot. He chose to take the header 1st time and with little pace on the pass his header lacked power and was an easy save for the keeper.

Five minutes from time, Olympiakos showed the Briar how to capitalize and punish mistakes as they finished off the tie. Keith McLoughlin, who had a fine game over all, lost possession in midfield and on the turn over an Olympiakos attacker entered the box and with a cheeky chipped ball found the net. Ken Mullane got a hand on it, and Emmett Doonan nearly cleared off the line, but ultimately the 3rd goal found the net.

The Briar can take a lot from their performance. Physically the challenge was met, but ultimately mental lapses and individual mistakes undone the Greens. The importance of maintaining a high level of concentration, and how it can help prevent individual mistakes are lessons that need to be taken on board as the Briar round out the season and look to build for the 2012 campaign.

Line Up: Mullane, Claus(70'), Doonan, P Miller, Moran, Caldwell(88' YC), Coen(c), McGuinness(60'), McLoughlin, Cassidy, Sexton(75'), Samati(30'), Hennessy(20'), McCarney(15'), Hannick(2')

Over 30's still down, but not out

Green Briar O30's 1:2 United International

Renewing the rivalry with our familiar foes was always going to be difficult, especially with the remaining games having the feel of 6 pointers. The humidity on the day would also be a key factor with player fitness being called into question.

Starting the game in our multi coloured away strip may have also played a psychological factor in conceding the lead in the 1st half and reminiscent of Manchester United's grey day back in 1996, the Green Briar would also change back into their familiar green kits at half time in the hope of sparking a revival. Contact Conor Hannick for a full run down of the strategy.

Green Briar enjoyed a wealth of chances in the first half but lacked the finishing touch in what has been a familiar story in recent weeks. Michael Graham worked the goal keeper on 3 occasions and volleyed wide from a half chance at the edge of the area. 

Leo O'Connor saw his shot blocked from an indirect kick inside the penalty area after United were guilty of a back pass. The Briar were also wasteful of two corners that were delivered into the danger area with no one taking it upon themselves to attack the ball.

As alluded to earlier, the lead was conceded against the run of play, on the break. The United attacker won the race to a ball over the top and with Paul Fallon committed to charging the ball, a first time shot under the keepers body was all that was needed to take the lead.

The Briar spent most of the second half knocking on the door for the equalizer. Leo O'Connor was again involved in much that was good from the Briar with Petey McNamee, John Hickey and Gavin Hall battling the heavy air to create from the middle.

With 15 minutes remaining it would be Gavin Hall who would restore parity. Tom McElwain found himself in an advanced position and his cross eluded the near post challenges and arrived at the feet of Hall at the back post. As we've seen earlier in the season, Hall doesn't need a second invitation to find the net when called upon as he cooly slotted home his finish.

With eyes on a winner and committing men forward, the Briar were vulnerable to the counter. United hit the post on one occasion and on another would succeed in reclaiming the lead with 7 minutes remaining.

John Flannery was being put under pressure at the right back position and a United attacker gained the bi-line and cut back sharply to allow him the space to shoot high to the top right corner of the net from a tight angle.

In the remaining minutes the Briar almost found an equalizer. John Hickey whipped in a dangerous free kick and the botched clearance was met my Conor Hannick at the edge of the 6 yard box. His downward header was heading for the corner of the net when the United keeper showed great agility to turn the ball away.

Another crushing defeat for the Greens but the performance and spirit shown on the day will hold the team in good stead for the remainder of the campaign. Other results have been falling correctly for the Briar as the struggle to regain form and it is still possible to get out of the division with 6 games remaining.

Line Up: Fallon, Glynn, Concagh, Meehan, McElwain(c), Flannery, Hall, McNamee, Hickey, Graham, O'Connor, Bagnell, Shursky, Kilber-Stearns, Nassar, O'Donnell, Hannick, Tiffany

Training

Club Training will be held on Wednesday September 28th at 6PM.

Burr Playground (Map)

Waverley Ave

Newton MA 02458

Albania make Green Briar pay for costly errors

Albania United 5:3 Green Briar FC

Unfortunately there hasn't been a good result to report from the club at large for a couple of weeks. Both the OTH and MSSL sides have each recorded back to back losses in their last 2 outings. If truth be told, the last two fixtures for the MSSL side would fall under the category of 'winnable'.

At times during last night's game versus Albania United in South Boston one would have thought the game was won, as the Briar enjoyed a 2:1 and then 3:2 lead before errors at the back were punished and the game slipped away in the latter stages of the second half.

New signing Mickey Sexton was given the start up front with Tom Caldwell pushing out of the centre of midfield to the right wing. The two would combine early as Caldwell delivered a nice cross to the near post following a short corner with Keith McLoughlin. Sexton made an angled run to the near post to elude his marker, but his 1st time shot was wide of the mark.

On the 10 minute mark Albania took the lead. A mis-kick by Davey Coen allowed the Albania attacker to steal in behind the Briar defense and he finished clinically to the bottom left corner. A disappointing outcome to what was a promising start for the Briar.

Minutes later Mickey Sexton was at it again. This time Davey Coen would play the Englishman through and his sharp turn and shot cannoned off the underside of the cross bar and was cleared to safety.

On the 20 minute mark, Sexton was again impressing up top. A long clearance from Gary Clarke found Mickey in behind the defense, but his lobbed shot was over the bar.

Five minutes later the Briar would get their reward. Following good work down the right from Brian Claus, Mickey Sexton was hauled down in the box for the spot kick. Brian McGuinness stepped up and made no mistake as he scored his team leading 5th of the season.

The Briar were pressing for the lead as the half progressed and on 33 minutes a corner from Keith McLoughlin found Davey Coen in the box but he was unable to get the decisive touch. From the breakdown in play Sexton found Gary Clarke on the left bi-line. His low driven cross was turned home first time by Braima Samati who timed his run and finish to perfection.

As the half was coming to a close Albania began causing problems for the Briar defense. On a quick break down the left wing, Albania succeeded in ripping the Briar apart. Three lunging challenges in quick succession contributed to the danger and only for Fernando DelPieri in goal in could have been worse. Fernando's kick save averting the danger at the end of the move.

From the resulting corner kick Albania equalized on the stroke of half time. The striker reacted quickest to a near post delivery and dispatched a low header to the net despite the best efforts of Brian Claus on the post.

The second half began brightly for the Briar. Again Tom Caldwell was creating space for his team mates down the right. He found Mickey Sexton on another one of his beautifully timed runs behind the defense and he in turn helped it on to Braima Samati. Braima chose to shoot from a tight angle and with men available for the squaring pass, such a promising position was wasted.

On the 10 minute mark the Briar scored a superb goal to regain the lead. Emmet Doonan began the move in defense as he held off his marker and released Davey Coen down the left. Following a very patient build up between Coen and Keith McLoughlin, the later got behind the defense after being sprung by a great pass from Coen. McLoughlin pulled the ball back and Mickey Sexton swept home the goal from 12 yards out.

Halfway through the second half Albania began to press once again. A free kick from 25 yards out was a dangerous prospect for the Briar, but DelPieri in goal was equal to the shot. A ten minute spell after that would see the game slip from the grasp of the Briar as sloppy defending was again punished by the opposition.

Albania succeeded in equalizing and taking the lead with goals that were carbon copies of each other. On both occasions space was found down Albania's right wing and the ensuing crosses were dealt with in less than spectacular fashion by the Briar defense.

Firstly Brian McGuinness got his clearing header all wrong and the loose ball was gratefully slotted home. Then 5 minutes later it was Emmett Doonan's turn to half clear a ball and again it was returned to the Briar net with interest. A beautiful strike with the outside of the left foot curled nicely into the right corner.

The response was excellent however. Mickey Sexton found himself running clean through on goal with 15 minutes remaining. His shot was clipped under the advancing keeper but slipped agonisingly wide of the right hand post. A great opportunity for the Briar to make up for the sloppy goals they had just conceded but they were unable to convert on this occasion.

Ray Moran and BrianMcGuinness both went close with half chances created by Gary Cassidy as the minutes ticked away but the death knell in the tie came with 5 minutes remaining.

Gary Hennessy was loose with the ball as he came out from defense and the turnover was costly as Davey Coen bundled the Albania attacker over for the second spot kick of the match. John Bavota of Albania stepped up to convert and gain revenge for a penalty miss against the Briar earlier in the season.

The final 5 minutes were frantic as the Briar yet again showed their spirit to get back into the tie and create chances. Keith McLoughlin found himself in front of goal with minutes remaining but was unable to dig the ball out of his feet for the close range finish. Finally Eamonn McCarney got a shot away from a tight angle but to no avail.

When scoring 3 goals one would expect to get something from the game, but the Briar were ultimately undone by poor defending and individual errors that were punished. The performance itself had a lot of positives. The Briar controlled midfield in long spells and created a number of great chances that on another night would have found the net. These are positives that will be gratefully taken into the match at the weekend versus league leaders Boston Olympiakos.

Line Up: DelPieri, Claus(65'), Doonan, Hannick, Clarke, Caldwell(65' YC), Coen(c), McGuinness, McLoughlin, Samati(60'), Sexton(75'), Cassidy(30'), Hennessy(25'), Moran(25'), McCarney(15'), Beausang, Mullane

Relieve Muscle Tightness After Games

For those of you that struggle with tight and sore muscles after games and you find that the regular warm down or stretching exercises are not enough for you to get relief, read this interesting article about how to use and the benefits of Foam Rollers.

On a similar point, read this article about DOMS, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness which is usually felt 1 to 2 days after exercise.

Finally, the old reliable R.I.C.E. method is described in this article and the use of NSAID's to promote healing is discussed in this article.

Games for September 25th

Please be at the field at least 30 minutes in advance of Kick Off

Green Briar O30's vs United International ( 9:00AM Kick-Off  )
Venue TBD
Watertown MA 02472 (Map)

Green Briar FC vs Boston Olympiakos ( 4:00PM Kick-Off  )
East Bost Memorial Park (Turf outside stadium)
150 Porter Street
(Intersection Porter St and Logan Airport Service Drive)
East Boston, MA 02128 (Map)

Jekyll and Hyde performance from Over 30's

Foxboro Freaks 3:2 Green Briar O30's

I'm not sure what is worse. Squandering another 3 points, doing so from a comfortable 2-0 halftime position or seeing the updated league table. The latter is very grim reading indeed. Green Briar sit rooted to the bottom of Division 4 after 3 games, looking up at their competition (all of them!) and racking up the card points to boot.

Speak to any player on the team and they'll tell you they have designs on back to back promotions. Speak to any player and they'll tell you this team doesn't belong in Division 4, the team is too good.

Well the team hasn't been too good to spurn chance after chance in front of goal recently, nor continue to ship a disproportionate amount of goals to other Division 4 sides. If the Briar were hungry, lively and sharp in their 1st half play today, that well had run dry by the second 45.

Players were lethargic in their play and blatantly sloppy after the break. Manager Gary Keane laid out two scenarios for the second half..."Score the next goal, and it's game over. Concede the next goal, and it's game on!". Prophetic words from the gaffer.

The Briar fell into the trap of conceding the next goal and the team on this occasion did not possess the composure, or general where with all to stem the tide that was obviously turning in the match.

The first half performance began as intended. Play was at an intensity fitting of a side looking to forget the previous week's 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Peru Sport. The first two chances fell to Michael Graham but he was unable to make them count.

Firstly, Graham connected with a high ball sent long into the box, but his flick on was easily claimed by the keeper. Later he received a ball to feet at the edge of the box and with one touch to control and one to shoot, he saw his effort go the wrong side of the right hand post.

The prodigious talents of John Hickey were on display in central midfield this week after last week's absence, and it would be John who would open the Briar account again as he maintains his impressive goal a game record for the fall.

The willing running of John O'Brien was rewarded with a free kick just over 20 yards out from goal. From the ensuing kick Hickey surveyed his options. The big men were sent up from the back but their services were not needed on this occasion.

John's cultured right foot could probably juggle a bar of soap but this time he dispatched a powerful curling shot over the wall which ripped into the top left corner of the net. A superb strike that was worthy of any highlight reel.

The Briar went close soon after. Leo O'Connor beat two men down the right and squared to John O'Brien. His volleyed shot went wide however.

Minutes later the lead was doubled. Daniel Kilber-Stearns powered his way down the left wing, eating up the ground like a monster truck on meth. Gaining the bi-line his cross was only half cleared to the edge of the box. Leo O'Connor gratefully accepted the gift and rifled home to the left corner of the net.

Foxboro threatened the Briar goal just before the half when a mis hit shot from distance was redirected goal wards from the edge of the box. The effort failed to trouble Fallon in goal as he shepherded the ball over the end line. That play punctuated a half of the highest quality from the Briar, but the debacle of the second half was soon to unfold.

As mentioned, the Briar's second half play was befitting of a team who felt entitled to the 3 points on offer. The players felt comfortable enough with their 2-0 lead to mail it in and perhaps cruise to victory. They only succeeded in contributing to their own demise in the game and imploding with epic proportions.

The first lapse came from a Briar throw in the defensive third. Danny Concagh played a loose pass to Connor Hannick and the Foxboro attacker intercepted. Advancing the ball he struck a beautiful shot that found the net over the diving Fallon in goal.

Buoyed by the gift of a life line in the tie, Foxboro pressed again and equalized from a corner. The delivery into the box was unimpressive, a low squibbed ball to the near post. The Briar defense could not deal with it however. The ball was helped on to the back post where a Foxboro attacker prodded the ball home between a sea of bemused green shirts.

The Briar did produce something of a response after parity was restored. Kevin O'Donnell was set free down the left and his scooped cross was met in the 6 yard box by Michael Graham. With his back to goal though, his back header was high and over.

Later Leo O'Connor gathered the ball out side the box and sent a curling shot once again, high of the mark. The best chance to restore the lead also fell to Leo. A driven corner to the edge of the six found him unmarked and needing the slightest touch to direct the ball home. O'Connor made the deftest contact however and the ball flashed across the goal and away to safety.

Foxboro struck the killer blow with only minutes remaining and the final chapter of a tragic second half that would have made Shakespeare proud was written.

Jostling for position on the bi-line and in the Briar penalty area, Danny Concagh was adjudged to have fouled the Foxboro attacker. All accounts from a Green perspective suggest the decision was a harsh one. Not needing a second invitation, Foxboro took their third in the trifecta of gift wrapped goals presented to them and headed for the hills with 3 points in the bag.

With seven long days to think about being the worst team in Division 4 South after 3 games of the Fall season, Keane will be expecting a good response from his players at training this week as they look to right the ship against their old Division 5 foes United International. A tricky tie, but one where 3 points is an absolute must.

Line Up: Fallon, Glynn, Concagh, Hannick, McElwain(c), Flannery, Keane, Hickey(YC), O'Donnell, Graham, O'Connor, McNamee, Bagnell, Shursky, Kilber-Stearns, McKenna, Gillick, Nassar, O'Brien(YC)

Game for September 18th

Please be at the field at least 30 minutes in advance of Kick Off

Foxboro Freaks vs Green Briar O30's ( 9:00AM Kick-Off  )
Hersey Field (Grass)
Foxboro HS
120 South Street
Foxboro MA 02035 (Map)

Training

Club Training will be held on Wednesday September 14th at 6PM.

Burr Playground (Map)
Waverley Ave
Newton MA 02458

Three Valuable Points Squandered

Canon Sportif 2:1 Green Briar FC

The league leaders may well be out of sight of the Green Briar but there is still plenty to play for this season. A third place finish in the league campaign could be rewarded with a N.E. Champions League berth, a competition where the region's elite teams lock horns and players get great exposure in the US Soccer Federation's Region 1.

This competition should be well within the attainable goals of the Green Briar which boasts a very talented young roster. However to attain such goals the Briar need to be picking up the points they are supposed to pick up, against the teams in and around them in the league.

Our goals are unlikely to be achieved however, if we field teams of 9 players like we did last Sunday against Canon Sportif. We carry a full compliment of 25 players on our roster and needless to say that is a disgraceful turn out.

The management and players that did show up on the day should be commended for an extremely spirited performance as they battled for the pride of the club. Those dedicated players on the day, to a man, performed brilliantly, with an abundance of spirit, physical fitness and footballing skill on display. That they were unable to get the reward they so greatly deserved from the game is a shame.

The Briar were 1-0 down by half time after spending much of the half shorthanded. The second half began brightly, when finally playing with 11 men the Greens scored a beautiful equalizer. Tom Caldwell picked up the ball in front of his defense and played it forward. Brian McGuinness got a vital flick on to spring the offside trap and send Brendan Mitchell away. 

Mitchell advanced the ball and showing great composure finished the goal off at the second attempt after the keeper got a piece of the initial shot.

The Briar had the better of the second half in general but were unlucky to concede a second when a corner was headed in beautifully at the near post by the Canon attacker.

The remainder of the game was spent knocking on the door for an equalizer. George Lumanyika and Conor Hannick were almost on the end of great moves as Keith McLoughlin and Brian McGuinness controlled the centre of the park along with Tom Caldwell.

Brian Claus and Conor Hannick played through injury to complete the match also in a commendable display. Hannick in particular had put in a full 90 minutes only 2 hours previous for the Over 30's side.

Let's all get back on track this week at training and put our best foot forward at the next game. 

Line Up: DelPieri, Lumanyika, Hennessy, P Miller, Clarke, Claus, T Caldwell, McGuinness(c), McLoughlin, Hannick, Mitchell

Tough Loss for Over 30's

Green Briar O30's 0:3 Peru Sport

Are you only as good as your last result? If that is the case the Green Briar Over 30's would of thought of themselves as world beaters on the back of Wednesday's performance, coming away with a terrific 3:2, come from behind, shorthanded away win in New Bedford. In contrast, on Saturday morning at Danehy Park, the same side turned in a shadow of the performance seen the previous Wednesday and were comprehensively beaten by their Peruvian opponents.

That is not to say the match could have been different. In fact the game could be described as a blue print of recent performances, summarized by decent build up play from the Greens but very poor decision making and execution in the final third. For example, failing to keep corner kicks in play on more than one occasion in both our recent games are serious lapses in concentration that can quite easily be improved upon.

In the opening minutes, Elie Nassar made a nuisance of himself up front, putting the Peru Sport defense under pressure and fashioning a chance for himself. His effort on goal was blocked by the defender and sent behind for a corner. Later on his strike partner Leo O'Connor side footed a shot wide right from a break down in the area, when he would have expected himself to find the net.

John Flannery was also creating space for himself down the right and his low cross found Leo O'Connor only for his shot to be blocked. The next action saw Leo turn provider for Conor Bagnell but his shot on the volley was wide of the target.

As the chances continued to be created, this time Leo's cross was sent wide by Gavin Hall, Conor Hannick and Danny Concagh were marshalling the defense well.

The game turned in a moment, a terrific piece of skill from a Peru Sport attacker saw him send a powerful long range effort into the top corner of the net despite the agile effort of Paul Fallon to keep the ball out. All of the Green Briar dominance was undone by one marvelous finish. In fact, Tom McElwain made a terrific tackle just before the half to save a second goal as the players entered the half in despondent mood.

The opening of the second half showed promise for the Greens. Franky Meehan sent in a dangerous ball across the face of goal that only needed a touch, but no one could find the killer finish and the ball went behind for a goal kick.

The best Briar chance of the day fell to Marty Tiffany. Tom McElwain curled in a beautifully flighted free kick. Conor Hannick and Danny Concagh traded headers in the box before Hannick side footed the ball on the volley towards goal. Marty had made a late run from mid field and met the ball only a few yards out. From the shadow of the goal he managed to send his effort over and the game would slip away from the Briar soon after.

The Greens slipped further behind moments later as a goal was conceded from a corner. The in swinging delivery was fielded by Paul Fallon in his 6 yard box but under pressure he was unable to maintain control. The loose ball in the box was slotted home gratefully by a Peru Sport attacker for the 2-0 lead.

Further problems for the Briar followed. After winning the ball cleanly with a typically tenacious tackle in mid field, Gavin Hall was penalised when the referee blew for a foul and issued Hall with his second yellow of the game. The decision could only be described as a gross miscalculation by the referee, with the challenge in question not even worthy of a free kick.

Having to chase the game and reverse a 2 goal lead would be a tough task, being down to 10 men would not make the task any easier. The players made every effort to get back in the game, lifting their energy levels and raising their game. Break downs in the final third were the Achilles Heel of the day however and the killer blow of a third goal soon followed.

Loose marking at the edge of the box combined with a less than convincing clearance resulted in a crisp shot from the Peru Sport attacker being returned with interest to the Briar net from 20 yards.

The Briar kept playing in the closing minutes and John Flannery tested the goal keeper one last time as he saw his stinging shot parried over the bar.

Goals definitely dictated this game and if one of the Briar chances had been converted the story might have been different. The feelings from a tough defeat can only be tempered by the knowledge that the Green Briar only sit 1 point back in the standings after 2 rounds of play and will hope to bounce back next week in Foxboro.

Line Up: Fallon, Glynn, Concagh, Hannick, McElwain(c), Flannery, Hall(2xYC), Tiffany, O'Donnell, Nassar, O'Connor, Kelly, McNamee, Meehan, Dooley, Bagnell, Shursky

Away win for Over 30's to begin the Fall season

Fernandes 2:3 Green Briar O30's

Tropical storm Lee was dumping plenty of moisture on New England while the Over 30's made the long 60 mile trek to New Bedford to get their Division 4 Fall campaign under way.

The conditions were reminiscent of a game day back home with ankle deep puddles spread throughout the field and a real risk of injury. The official was happy to get proceedings going despite the quagmire underfoot.

The opening minutes of the game were borderline comical as the players adjusted their game to the wet conditions. As things began to take shape, it was clear the Briar was in the ascendancy. Wingers Kevin O'Donnell and John Flannery were finding space but were unable to find the killer cross to unlock the defense.

O'Connor and Graham up front had a few half chances but were unable to convert due to bad touches and the pitch interfering with the ball. At the other end Fernandes would strike first against the run of play.

A loose ball in the box was seized upon by an unmarked attacker and his shot deflected wide of Paul Fallon in goal and skipped into the far side of the net.

In response the Greens won a string of corners, but again our delivery was subpar as concentration levels waned. On the 30 minute mark a set piece would come right however.

A corner from the left hand side was delivered invitingly to the edge of the 6 yard box. John Hickey powered his way to the ball and dispatched a beautiful downward header which found the net through the 5 hole of the goalkeeper.

All square at the half, Gary Keane was confident his side would grow in the game and take the away win. But things would get worse before they got better for the Briar.

Complacency at the back cost us another goal early in the second half. A Fernandes attacker carried the ball from midfield into the box and went down under the challenge. As the referee waved play on there was a moment of hesitancy from the Briar players. Knowing the conditions, the defense should have cleared their lines sooner. A Fernandes player stole the ball and slotted home from close range under the advancing Paul Fallon.

To make matters worse the Briar would go down to 10 men soon after. Leo O'Connor became involved with an opponent and the referee inexplicably issued a straight red card, citing O'Connor as the instigator in the incident.

Under the proverbial "Cosh", the players needed all their endeavour to get back into the contest. The equalizer came in quick order.

Connor Hannick delivered a dangerous free kick from halfway to the edge of the box. The ball was first challenged and then helped goal ward by Michael Graham. Leo O'Connor found space and remained on-side at the 6 yard box. With his back slightly towards goal he helped the ball on with his head. The goalkeeper made the stop but was unable to hold on. John Flannery pounced on the spilled rebound and blasted home from 3 yards.

The Greens were feeling confident at this stage, even with a man down they were creating chances and remaining solid at the back.

The winner was fashioned from a mistake by the Fernandes defense. A defender lost control of the ball when getting bogged down in one of the numerous puddles. Michael Graham reacted quickest and pushed the ball down the right wing into space. Chasing his own ball, he got there first and played a centering ball into the box. Kevin O'Donnell controlled the ball on the penalty spot and shaped a beautifully curling shot into the right corner of the net, a superb finish.

The Briar saw out the remaining minutes of the game without conceding, withstanding a few corners and all the pressure Fernandes could deal at the defense. A valuable 3 points away from home and hopefully the start of a good run for the Fall.

Line Up: Fallon, Glynn(YC), Concagh, Hannick, McElwain(c), Flannery, Hall, Hickey, O'Donnell, Graham, O'Connor(RC), Kelly, Nassar

Games for September 11th

Please be at the field at least 30 minutes in advance of Kick Off

Green Briar O30's vs Peru Sport ( 8:00AM Kick-Off  )
Danehy Park Field 3 (Grass)
166 New Street
Cambridge MA 02140 (Map)

Canon Sportif vs Green Briar FC ( 12:00PM Kick-Off  )
Madison Park HS Lower Field (Turf)
100 Ruggles Street
Roxbury, MA 02120 (Map)

Coverage in Emigrant

Click here for MSSL update in Irish Emigrant.

Win over Internacionale in Friendly

Green Briar 3:1 Boston Internacionale (1st Sept 2011)
T Caldwell
D Coen(2)

Game for September 7th

Please be at the field at least 30 minutes in advance of Kick Off

Green Briar O30's vs Fernandes ( 7:00PM Kick-Off  )
Morton Field (Grass)
1 Gemini Drive
New Bedford, MA 02745 (Map)  (60 mile journey)

(The field is at the intersection of Gemini Drive and Morton Avenue)