Win gets Briar back on track

Dover-Sherborn 1:4 Green Briar O30s

After a few eventful games, a comfortable 4-1 win was just what the doctor ordered and to be fair, exactly what the performance deserved. Plenty of chances were created which is always refreshing, but it took until the second half for the Greens to end the threat from Dover-Sherborn.

A brace each from David Coen and Java ensured the three points, with the assists spread around to John Hickey, Michael Graham, Brian McGuinness and Leo O'Connor.

The opener came from a terrific in-swinging corner to the back post from John Hickey. David Coen was left unmarked and powered the header home very well. Michael Graham missed a great chance to double the lead later in the half. A slide rule pass from O'Connor set Graham free but his touch and shot were off the mark.

John Hickey and Kevin Higgins were combining well down the left wing at this stage and plenty of quality crosses were raining into the box. The best of which fell to Diran Balekian who was unable to make his header count.

The equalizer came just before the half when a runner was left unmarked at the back post and a looping header found the far corner of the net.

The second half proved equally dominant for the Briar. Two or three good chances fell to the front men but no end result was forthcoming. Graham was sprung by a long ball from Higgins but his attempted lob of the keeper was overcooked.

Balekian later set up Graham for a rasping shot that the keeper did well to tip over and Graham would turn provider soon after but Balekian was again lacking the headed finish.

The second goal was provided from another in-swinging corner. Graham finding David Coen who controlled and shot to the roof of the net in a crowded box.

The third and fourth goals made the result safe for the Greens. Firstly Java showed composure in front of goal after a nice build up down the right featuring McGuinness and Graham. Soon after Leo once again found the killer ball to unlock the defense and Java made no mistake with an equally cool finish.

One official game left in the season against an Azzurri side that took all 3 points from the Briar first time around. A turn around of that result will ensure the Briar finish strong.

Line-Up: Sullo, Concagh, Coen, Hannick, Higgins, Glynn, O'Connor, McGuinness, Hickey, Balekian, Graham, Java, P. Nolan, McKenna, Kilber-Stearns, O'Donnell, Goin, McElwain