Green Briar O30s 2:2 F.F.C
As always with the meetings of the Briar and F.F.C it was a competitive and hotly contested affair. The result of which was a highly contentious 2:2 draw that has the Briar crying foul.
The scoring was opened early in the first half when Brian McGuinness slotted a penalty after great work by John Hickey. Hickey and Hairstyle kept the F.F.C defense on their toes all day but it was Hickey who was shoved as he tried to intercept a loose back pass.
Michael Graham missed a glorious chance to double the lead as he was in perfect position to collect a knock down from David Coen. His weak effort from six yards failed to trouble the keeper when it looked easier to score.
The second 45 was full of incident. F.F.C found a nice equalizer from a corner, when an unmarked forward sent a downward header towards goal which bounced over Kevin O'Donnell who was guarding the post.
Joe Nolan was given his marching orders for retaliation after he took exception to a late challenge from an F.F.C player who himself felt agrieved following the exchange.
Despite playing with 10 men, the Briar took the lead. A long searching ball from David Coen was glanced home by the towering Leo O'Connor as he climbed high to complete the deft touch. When asked whether he climbed so high that he had snow on his head, he replied 'No I've just gone grey'.
F.F.C. responded well however and equalized once more. A cross field ball into the box caused some confusion between Conor Hannick and Tom McElwain. The latter's clearance ricocheting to an unmarked attacker who prodded the ball home.
The Briar came back well from this set back and John Hickey was instrumental in crafting yet another penalty kick. Latching onto a long ball and lifting it over his defender, he was unceremoniously taken out giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
What happened next can only be described as bizarre. Brian McGuinness cooly slotted the penalty only for it the be called back for encroachment by one of his team mates. Rule 14 under Fifa's Laws of the game clearly states the kick needs to be retaken in the case where the goal was scored. The referee misinterpreted the rule and gave a goal kick causing mass delirium at the decision. It could be understood if the referee gave an indirect free kick, although incorrect, that is the ruling if the penalty is missed.
Regardless of the outcome, a mistake was made that most certainly could cost the Briar their season.
Line Up: Sullo, Nolan, Higgins, Coen, Hannick, O'Connor, McGuinness, O'Donnell, Glynn, Hairstyle, Hickey, Fallon, McElwain, Concagh, Mikaelian, Balekian, Java, Graham, McKenna
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