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.
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')
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