High scoring draw versus Suchi FC

Green Briar 4:4 Suchi FC

A hatrick from Gary Cassidy and a single goal for Mickey Sexton was a good return for the Briar strikers, but that was not enough to earn the victory. Suchi FC came from behind on three occasions to earn a draw on a fresh morning at Danehy Park in Cambridge.

Green Briar raced into a two goal lead early on. Gary Clarke set Cassidy racing through with a terrific ball over the top and the Limerick man made no mistake with the finish. Later, Cassidy found some space in the box and his somewhat scuffed effort was deflected kindly into the Suchi net to double the lead before the 15 minute mark.

Suchi found themselves back on level terms with a pair of goals either side of the half. The first came following a movement down the right wing and after the cross was not dealt with properly, the Suchi striker swept the ball home nicely on the half volley. Just after the break Suchi won a penalty when one of their midfield players was helped to the ground by a challenge from behind. The spot kick was converted crisply to restore parity.

Green Briar regained the lead through Gary Cassidy once again. Left unmarked at the back post, he found the far corner with his free header, guiding it downwards and across the goal mouth. Suchi found yet another equalizer when a shot from the left hand side could only be parried to another Suchi player on the edge of the six. The striker duly took the gift to make it 3-3.

Green Briar kept making chances, even though Suchi were enjoying more quality possession in midfield. Colin Roux should have found the net when he arrived late to meet a cross at the back post. It would be Mickey Sexton who would eventually help the Briar regain the lead however, as he side footed a chance to the left corner of the net.

The final word came from Suchi, who completed the goal blitz with the eighth of the match, beating the offside trap and converting the resultant two-on-one break away.

A good workout for a Green Briar team looking to find its identity for the 2012 season. The next action should be a Boston Irish Cup match mid-week followed by the league opener on April 1st.

Line up: Mullane, Hennessy, Altidore, Doonan, Clarke, Hardy, Roux McGuinness, Caldwell, Claus, Cassidy, Jones, Sexton, Nguyen, Goin