Briar back on track

SC Canon Sportif 0:2 Green Briar FC

A strange weekend in the MSSL top flight. News that Green Briar and Albania United both had won coupled with the Lowell teams playing out a draw against each other was good for the race for the title. But the shocker of the round was the 3:2 victory of West Africans United over Boston Olympiakos. What was even more newsworthy was an official protect by Olympiakos to have the games forfeited due to West Africans fielding a player that was not registered by the Monday night deadline. Due process needs to be completed on that protest, but if over-turned it will be a let off for Olympiakos and a disappointment for the other teams at the top of the league who would have benefited.

Against Canon Sportif, David Coen and Ronan Caldwell continued their goal scoring form. Midfield dynamo Tom Caldwell was the architect of both, as he stretches his lead in the quest for the silver boot this season.

The Briar were unlucky not to have more. David Coen hit the post with a powerful header from 12 yards following a good cross from Brian McGuinness.

Substitutes Mike Hardy and Brian Claus also impressed. Mike was unlucky not the get on the score sheet after a neat move between Darrell Jones, Brian Claus and Keith McLoughlin saw a ball dropped into his path as he crashed the net. His first time strike was powerful but wayward, as it flew over the bar.

Brian Claus also had an effort worthy of a goal, only to see it denied by a goal mouth clearance. A long ball cleared from the Briar defense found Brian in a one on one race for possession. As the keeper advanced outside his box, Claus managed to poke the ball towards goal from 30 yards between the defender and keeper. The ball was headed in but didn't have enough pace, allowing a defender to get back and clear in the nick of time.

Keeping pace at the top end of the table but a difficult, no doubt physical challenge comes next week with the visit of West Africans United to Moakley Stadium.

Line Up: Mullane, Roux, Altidore, Miller, Clarke, C Treacy, McGuinness, T Caldwell, R Caldwell, Coen, Samati, McLoughlin, Jones, Hardy, Hannick, Claus