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
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