Green Briar FC 4:0 Albania United
The Briar kicked off the 2nd half of the season in impressive style with a comprehensive 4:0 victory over Albania United. The match was the first in a series of three tough matches in a week for the Briar and hopefully will set the tone for the pair of meetings with Olympiakos.
As is typical with matches versus Albania the midfield was hotly contested, with quick yellow cards being brandished to the Briar midfield duo of Conor Treacy and Tom Caldwell.
Davey Coen had threatened the goal early on with a header that flashed across goal, but made no mistake with the second chance that fell his way. A deep ball from Janak Altidore tempted the Albania keeper off his line. Ronan Caldwell challenged the high ball and provided enough of a distraction for the keeper to spill the ball into the path of Coen, who slotted home the opener.
Keith O'Malley had a good opportunity to score when he latched onto a clipped cross from Brian McGuinness on the full volley. Unfortunately the effort was dragged across goal and didn't test the keeper.
Following an injury to Janak Altidore, Peter Miller was sharp on the restart, springing Ronan Caldwell in behind the Albania defense where he showed great composure to slot home to the keepers left hand side. A terrific way to end the half.
With the breeze at their backs and a comfortable lead, the Briar were sure to continue the intensity in the second half. Jason Sullo in goal let a huge punt fly over the Albania defense. Ronan Caldwell was his usual tenacious self as he put pressure on the retreating defender and ultimately dispossessed him. Standing at the corner of the 6 yard box he laid off a teasing ball to a team mate bombing into the box at untold speed, who buried the ball into the Albanian net. Slow motion relpay identified the scorer as a resurgient Davey Coen, who knew a man of his stature could move so fast.
Ronan Caldwell capped off a great day for himself and the Briar by completing his brace from a free kick. His effort from 25 yards clipped the wall and fortuitously landed into the unguarded corner of the net. On another day it would have flashed wide, but things would fall right for the Briar all day helped in no small part by the determined shift put in be all 13 players used.
Proceedings soured somewhat towards the end as two Albanian players were given their marching orders. One for a late and hard challenge on Ronan Caldwell and the other to a player who showed disrespect by bombarding the referee with such abuse that he had no choice but to take action.
A comprehensive victory overall that left the Albania United team crying foul and walking off the field in disbelief. Coming off of a tie and a win against the league leaders, a loss to the Briar shifts the dynamic at the top of the table yet again as Albania slip to fourth place and the Briar leap frog into third. With Olympiakos next up for the Briar, the challenges are coming thick and fast, but entering the match the Briar players should have confidence in building on their great position.
Line-Up: Sullo, Roux, Miller, Hennessy, Altidore, O'Malley, T Caldwell, Treacy, McGuinness, Coen, R Caldwell, McLoughlin, Clarke
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