D3 Playoff Title belongs to Briar

Green Briar O30 1:0 Southborough

What a way to finish your managerial career. Gary Keane rides off into the sunset with his D3 playoff trophy under his arm and thus brings to an end a Guardiola-esque tenure at the helm of the Green Briar Over 30's. Although not all plain sailing, Keane succeeding in guiding his men to three playoff finals out of four seasons, two promotions and two playoff titles. His record reads an impressive...

Played 46 Won 27 Draw 9 Lost 10 GF 118 GA 66 GD +52

So what next for the Waterford man? Well rumors are he's on the come back trail as a player and was seen leaving the Briar and jogging through the streets of Brighton in the early hours of Sunday morning last. I guess it's never too early to start the off-season training regimen.

Gary Keane

John Hickey was absent on the field during the final due to a severe injury, but he joined Keane on the line to urge the team forward. The 2012 Captain led by example on and off the field throughout the season and it was only fitting that he lifted the trophy triumphantly after the nail biting conclusion to the match.

John Hickey

The Green Briar defense is often overlooked when it comes to the write ups. The unsung heroes are never seen to be jostling for the accolades that are bandied about over a disputed goal or deflection that may affect the Golden boot race. They simply get the job done. It may not always be pretty, but the facts don't lie. Green Briar had the best defensive record in D3 for the Fall season and conceded a mere 1 goal in the last there games of the season, recording two clean sheets.

Kevin Higgins and Jason Sullo

Jason Sullo, Conor Hannick, Kevin Higgins, Davey Coen and Tom "The Assist" McElwain are just a few of the rear guard that helped set a foundation for the title winning effort.

Tom The Assist celebrates at the Briar

The match itself was a nail biter. The Briar struggled to find their feet in the game but persevered, slowly growing into the contest and competing against a Southborough team that were fluid and dangerous in attack.

The Briar's best chances came early in the second half, in particular a terrific free kick from Dave Coen that dropped on the six yard box caused panic with Leo O'Connor just failing to get the decisive touch.

The spoils

Southborough imposed themselves on the game as the second half wore on unluckily striking the crossbar from distance after earlier flashing a crisp shot just wide of the mark.

As time was expiring and it looked as if penalty kicks were on the cards, Tom McElwain found some inspiration. Struggling with cramp from a tireless shift at right full back, McElwain shook off the effects for one final burst of energy. Breaking up a Southborough attack he sent a searching ball up field straight into the path of Leo O'Connor. Not a man to make predictions, O'Connor guaranteed a victory while in buoyant mood a few days before the match. And so it was left to Big Leo to fulfill his own prophesy.

Better than Miss Cleo, the Club Clairvoyant Big Leo O'Connor

Fighting off his defender he gained perfect position before nudging the ball forward to give himself room for a strike. Thinking it was too easy to shoot with his right, he risked it all and took the shot with his left peg, and what a strike it was. The low drilled ball left the keeper flailing and nestled snuggly into the side netting as all in a Green jersey celebrated and collectively sighed in relief. The Briar had nicked it at the death.

A terrific day for the Green Briar Football Club and now all eyes turn to the Green Briar Pub on December 14th for the second annual Green Briar FC social.

Playoff Champions

Line Up: Sullo, Nolan, Hannick, Coen, Higgins, Glynn, Hall, McGuinness, Balekian, Java, O'Connor, Neto, Leahy, Graham, McElwain, O'Brien

 Michael Graham and Conor Hannick

 Diran Balekian

John O'Brien

Brian McGuinness

Photos courtesy of D. Apovian

Caption this? Answers on a postcard please.

Over 30's reach another final

Somerville FC 1:5 Green Briar O30

A crisp morning at Medford HS proved the perfect setting for a game of football last Sunday, with a Division 3 Playoff final berth on offer. Green Briar, the second placed team in the South crossed over to play the North champions Somerville FC.

At this late stage of the season getting quality numbers to the field can be a problem with the usual attrition due to injuries hurting every side. The Green Briar was no different in this regard. Yusuf Ribadu was lost to a thigh strain early-on in the last match of the regular season midweek and a freak accident during the semi final saw the Briar lose another one of its talismanic figures, John Hickey.

While pouncing on a ball spilled by the keeper in the box, Hickey's right footed shot hooked the ball over his left shoulder and beyond the despairing dive to the far corner of the net. The price Hickey paid in getting the Briar on the board in this crucial match was a dear one however. Sufferring a fracture of his fibula in his planted leg, John had no choice but be helped to the sideline as his day's action came to a close prematurely (albeit on a bittersweet note).

The cause and the freak nature of this injury could be explained by the unusual excesses of centripetal force and centripetal obesity that happened to coincide on the play. Some might say that a man carrying that much weight in his midrift has no business swivelling on a sixpence in such a violent manner and it is no wonder the leg gave way under such stress. In an exclusive interview with the GB Blog, Hickey believed his injury came as a direct result of the unnatural power that he was gifted with in his right leg.

All joking aside, any bone break or injury sustained while playing amateur football, especially one that affects one's livelihood and ability work is serious. Many players on Green Briar have first hand experience of this and we wish John a very speedy recovery. We'll have to postone the GB Dance-off between Hickey and Keane scheduled for the 2012 Social for another year.

The Green Briar began the game in the ascendancy and were passing the ball well in the early stages. A couple of half chances failed to be converted before a quick counter-attack saw the Greens fall behind against the run of play. A ball over the top found a Somerville attacker (suspiciously offside I might add) and he made no mistake with his control and shot to the corner of the net.

The disappointment of conceding in such a manner caused some to vent frustrations but luckily for those involved and the team as a whole everyone set about the task of getting back into the tie. Just when we needed it, Hickey came up with the goods. Tom McElwain sent a deep cross into the mixer only to see the keeper come for it and spill it into the path of Hickey. His shot on the half volley was superb, and it looped over everyone and into the net from 15 yards. Unfortunately John sustained the aforementioned injury and had to retire from the match.

Playing with a renewed vigour the Greens were rewarded with a spot kick on the stroke of half time. Graham sent Neto down the left wing and his attempted cross was handled in the area. Brian McGuinness stepped up to slot home his 12th of the O30 campaign.

Holding the lead into the second half the Green Briar looked to keep things ticking over but it was Somerville who were unlucky not to equalize as the second half progressed. Jay Sullo somehow managed to claw a ball away and the resultant rebound was cleared behind for a corner. That was a close call, but finding the 3rd goal soon after all but ended the contest. Carlos Neto added his second of four assists on the day from a corner, dropping the ball to the near post where Leo O'Connor and Davey Coen were battling for position. O'Connor got the glancing touch as the Briar secured their lead.

Playing at a comfortable clip at this stage Carlos Neto added a couple more assists to complete the scoring. Firstly Diran Balekian turned the ball home from very close range following a mazy run and cross from the right side of the area by Neto. Late-on in the match Java finally added to his personal tally on the season, collecting his club leading 14th goal of the campaign. A through ball from Neto fell nicely for Java to turn the ball home.

Gavin Hall was tremendous on the day for the Briar. His typically tenacious style in the tackle and seemingly endless reserves of energy translate to a dominance in midfield that sets the tone for the team and sets a platform for his midfield partners to create. The 2011 O30 player of the year certainly rekindled the fire and form by producing a terrific display that helped the side to victory.

One match left in the season, and another bite of the cherry against Division rivals Southborough. A good performance in the semi can now be built upon as it all comes down to the season finale.

Line Up: Sullo, Glynn, Coen, Hannick, Higgins, Hickey, Hall, O'Connor, McGuinness, Java, Neto, Balekian, Leahy, Graham, McElwain

Briar do what they needed to do

Green Briar O30 4:0 Fernandes

The Green Briar were in a precarious position. No longer masters of their own destiny in Div 3 South, they needed to travel to Taunton to pick up the necessary 3 points to put themselves in playoff contention and hope for help in other fixtures.

Their opponents on the night, Fernandes, have historically proven difficult opposition for the Greens, but a solid defensive performance coupled with the forwards finding their range in front of goal resulted in an emphatic 4:0 victory. With that job done, it is now a waiting game to see how Delta Services do against Southborough in the final regular season match on Friday at Forekicks in Marlboro. Any result but a Delta win will see the Briar through to the playoffs.

Early dominance in the match could not be converted to goals on the score board. Brian McGuinness twice found good positions in front of goal, but twice was foiled by the Fernandes keeper. The deadlock was finally broken just minutes before the break. Davey Coen delivered a free kick to the bottom corner from over 20 yards out.

The insurance goal was added soon into the second half. Diran Balekian was sprung down the left wing and his cross found Leo O'Connor who composed himself before finishing with aplomb. Later on O'Connor found himself squaring the ball from the left channel for Java to meet 1st time and side foot home. The scoring was rounded off by O'Connor who found space in the right channel and dispatched a great strike to the lower left hand corner of the net.

The clean sheet was threatened late in the game from a corner kick. A Fernandes attacker sent a header goal wards, but the ball was cleared off the line by Michael Graham who was manning the post.

A good result to cap off a terrific regular season that may not be enough for the playoffs, as it will all depend on Friday's result.

Line Up: Sullo, Nolan, Hannick, Glynn, McElwain, McGuinness, Hall, Coen, Hickey, O'Connor, Java, O'Brien, Balekian, Graham

Another costly draw

United International 1:1 Green Briar O30

Goal: Java Assist: L O'Connor

Southborough 3:1 Green Briar O30
Goal: L. O'Connor Assist: unassisted