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)
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