Green Briar FC suffer heavy defeat to Olympiakos

Boston Olympiakos 5:0 Green Briar FC

A visit to Rotch Playground to meet Boston Olympiakos was always going to be a tough assignment. Even with many squad members unavailable or injured the Briar still fielded a quality team. The quality of the Olympiakos outfit was never in doubt however, including quick and strong players such as former New England Revs player Khano Smith. It would be their strength and speed of play and ruthless finishing that would prove the difference in the tie.

Two minutes after kick off the Briar survived a close call from an Olympiakos corner. Ken Mullane in goal producing a sharp double save from a powerful header and subsequent rebound. The threat from set pieces was always going to cause problems and this was an early warning sign.

The Briar settled into the game nicely after this and played some nice football on the expansive Rotch field. On 17 minutes Olympiakos took the lead from another corner. Using their height advantage, they attacked an inswinging delivery and with suspicions of hand ball waved off the goal was awarded.

The Briar took this set back in stride and fashioned their own chance on 32 minutes. Brian McGuinness won a ball in midfield and swept a cross field pass to Tom Miller. With a nice step over Miller found a yard of space to deliver a good cross to the back post. The ball was met by Braima Samati, but his header was just wide of the target.

On 42 minutes Brian Claus attacked his marker with a driving run and slipped the ball back to Braima Samati whose sharp shot went wide right. The Briar were content with the first half performance and felt the tie was still within reach for the second half.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half was to prove decisive and the talented Olympiakos players came out with guns blazing to score a hatrick of goals in the blink of an eye. A break down the left on 47 minutes lead to an Olympiakos player cutting in and across the 18 yard box. As Mullane advanced to close the angle, the ball was slipped passed the Briar keeper and also Conor Hannick as he attempted a despairing block.

Three minutes later a simple breakdown in passing as the Briar tried to play out of defense saw a through ball elude Colin Goin and roll into the path of an on rushing Olympiakos player. Ken Mullane attempted a last ditch tackle but commited a foul and a spot kick was awarded. Khano Smith made no mistake with the penalty.

Yet more damage was inflicted to the Briar goal 2 minutes later. Conor Hannick was put under pressure in his left back position and he left a back pass short. The wayward ball was collected by Smith and he found the net with a near post finish from a tight angle.

Somewhat shell shocked from this blitz of pressure, the Briar took some time to settle back into the rhythm of play that helped them contain their talented opponents in the first half.

On 63 minutes a very unsavory challenge from an Olympiakos midfielder on Tom Miller was lucky not to cause serious injury. Miller took exception to the wreckless challenge above his ankle with a retaliatory reaction. Both men would receive straight red cards and early marching orders. Miller could feel a little aggrieved to see red after being the victim of such a cynical foul.

The Briar struggled to create anything clear cut in the second half and were unlucky to concede a fifth when a long range shot found the net off the under side of the bar after Mullane attempted the save.

On the stroke of full time Conor Hannick made a nice double save on the line to prevent conceding a sixth, but the tie was well gone at that stage.

A tough 2 week period is now followed by 2 weeks without a competitive fixture. This will hopefully allow the squad to regain some health and work on things to right the ship for the 3 matches in June.

Line Up: Mullane, Hannick, Goin(c), Lally(66'), Hennessy(57'), McGuinness, O'Connor(75'), Claus(55'), T Miller(RC), Morton, Samati

Subs: McCarney(35'), Lumyanika(33'), Coyne(24'), DelPieri(15')

Over 30's Maintain 100% Record

Green Briar O30's 2:0 Lexington Eagles

The second round of fixtures of the Spring season kicked off with the return match against the Lexington Eagles. Scattered showers had left the surface slick and wet, so it was clear that players' first touch would be key.

With twenty players to choose from, it would have been hard for Gary Keane not to put out a great side. Gary initially omitting John Hickey from the starting eleven but was quick to make the correction to the line up after seeing the incredulous look on Hickey's face. He would stick with his big front man even though his goal scoring form has waned in recent weeks.

The first chance of the morning fell to John Flannery. A deep corner was delivered to the back post by Kevin O'Donnell. John turned the ball towards goal with a stooping header only to see the ball deflected away inadvertently by team mate Leo O'Connor.

A few minutes later the Eagles responded with a long range free kick. The effort was dipping under the bar before it was turned over brilliantly by the goalkeeper.

A couple of chances fell to Tom Walsh in the first half. He failed to find the net with his head from a delivery from the left and earlier he had spurned a great chance from 6 yards out. John Hickey providing a cut back ball from the bi-line.

Another great chance was crafted by Kilber-Stearns on the right. His good cross was wasted in front by Graham who couldn't time his jump properly.

As the second half was developing there must have been some concern building on the bench as the deadlock remained unbroken. Chance after chance was coming and going without the net being found.

Good crosses from both wings failed to be converted. John Hickey heading over from close range after a pin point cross from Kilber-Stearns and John O'Brien also failing to find the mark with his head from a Tom Walsh cross. Later John O'Brien would be in 1 on 1 with the keeper but a heavy first touch saw the chance wasted.

The Briar finally found the net when a scramble in the Eagles' box only lead to a poor clearance. The ball was collected on the left by Graham and was clipped back into the danger area. Tom Walsh rose at the back post and connected with a looping header that found the net at the far post. John O'Brien was quick off the mark to follow the ball goalwards but was unable to rob Walsh of his second goal of the season.

Once the lead was established the Briar continued to make good chances. The lead was doubled after a driving run from Leo O'Connor led to an own goal. Running all of 40 yards from halfway into the Eagles' penalty area, O'Connor rode a despairing challenge and dragged a right foot shot across the goal. With the defender facing his own net and under pressure to clear, he stabbed the ball into his own net to double the lead for the Briar.

As the game was winding down there was time for Walsh to miss two more sitters that could have led to a second half hatrick. A beautiful deep cross from Vladimir Shursky was headed back across goal to an unmarked Walsh. He could not find the killer touch however as he saw a weak header easily collected by the goal keeper.

Later, Conor Hannick cleverly found Tom Walsh from a close range freekick. With everyone expecting a shot, Hannick produced a nice lay off to Walsh unmarked in the box. Tom collected the ball and sliced his shot terribly wide.

Although the Briar completed another comfortable victory and kept a clean sheet, it will be important for the sharpness in front of goal to return as the team builds towards the playoffs.

Line Up: Keane, Glynn, Hannick(YC), Concagh, McElwain(c), O'Donnell, Joyce, Hall, Flannery, O'Connor, Hickey

Subs: Graham, Walsh, Kilber-Stearns, O'Brien, Kelly, Nassar, Shursky, Higgins, Gillick

Games for May 15th

Please be at the respective fields at least 30 minutes in advance of Kick Off

Green Briar O30's vs Lexington Eagles ( 9AM Kick-Off  )
Fillipello Park (Grass)
110 Arlington Street
Watertown MA 02472 (Map)

Green Briar FC vs Boston Olympiakos ( 6:00PM Kick-Off  )
Rotch Playground (Turf)
50 Randolph Street
Boston MA 02118 (Map)

Two spot kicks see Over 30's continue good run

Green Briar O30's 2:1 Rovers FC

The first visit on the season to Filippello Park was sure to be an interesting prospect as the Green Briar O30's welcomed a dangerous Rovers FC side. The playing surface in Watertown has left a lot to be desired in recent seasons and Sunday morning was no exception as both sides' first touch would be given a thorough examination on the bumpy surface.

The first half was somewhat of a stalemate as the sides found themselves relatively well matched. Clear chances were few and far between. Rovers FC sent the Briar keeper scrambling when they produced a bounding shot that went just wide after a poor defensive header.

At the other end, John Hickey nearly made his own luck when he made a powerful run into the box. When his touch left him down at the crucial moment, he nearly profited from the Rover's keeper spilling the ball back into his path. The second ball could not be converted however.

Other good work in the first half saw David Coen get a couple of shots away from the edge of the box but they failed to trouble the Rover's net.

The second half started as the first half ended, with tough battles in the midfield, little wing play and even less activity in front of goal. Gary Keane then introduced three sets of fresh legs and the tie seemed to turn in the favour of the Briar. It was Brendan Joyce, John Flannery and John O'Brien who immediately made an impact with high energy play leading to good work down the left hand side.

The deadlock would be broken after some nice work down the right. John Hickey watched as his marker misjudged a bouncing ball. His subsequent run and pass found Gavin Hall in space on the right hand side of the area. His bouncing cut back to the edge of the box was challenged for by David Coen and his Rover's marker. Gaining position on his man the Rover's player had no choice but to haul Davey down for a penalty kick. Leo O'Connor stepped up and made no mistake, slotting the ball nicely to the keeper's right.

Rovers came right back and had the ball in the net when a free kick from the left hand side produced a scramble at the back post. The player who got the final touch was deemed to be offside however.

The next action saw John Flannery combine with John O'Brien who in turn cut back to John Hickey. His touch and low shot to the near post was stopped superbly by an agile save low to the keeper's right.

Rovers threatened once again from a free kick, this time from the right hand side. The delivery to the back post was met by an unmarked attacker and his header found the net off the far post. Question marks continue to hang over the Briar's ability to defend set pieces, however on this occasion they were unlucky not to get a free out as Leo O'Connor's marker had climbed all over his back.

Green Briar responded positively and immediately created a great chance. Leo O'Connor again was instrumental when he drilled a low cross from the right to John O'Brien. The pitch did not help the big man as an untimely bobble saw the ball flash across the 6 yard box instead of finding the net.

Minutes later a deep corner from John Hickey was caught sweetly on the volley by John Flannery. Although catching the ball well, the shot found its way back to Hickey. This time, a measured cross caused panic in the Rover's defense. John O'Brien applied pressure and a ricochet from the Galway man would strike the arm of the defender for yet another penalty. Leo O'Connor would duly oblige with a carbon copy of his first kick to secure his brace.

As the game entered its final moments Keane yet again rung in the changes in an attempt to secure the victory. John Hickey was withdrawn in favour of the dangerous target man Eli Nassar, John's scoring streak ending after 3 weeks. Vladimir Shursky was also introduced to inject a bit of much needed pace up top.

The final action of significance was from Rovers FC. David Coen's clearing header from a Rovers cross came dangerously close to the net, but a corner was the result. It would be Coen again who would rise majestically to clear the delivery from the corner as the Briar finally dealt with a set play competently.

Half way through the spring season the Over 30's find themselves unbeaten and well positioned to kick on towards the playoffs.

Line Up: Keane, Glynn, Hannick, Concagh, McElwain(c), O'Donnell, O'Connor, Coen, Hall, Walsh, Hickey

Subs: Graham, Flannery, Joyce, Bagnell, O'Brien, Nassar, Shursky

Green Briar lose out to Celtic FC in the Cup

Green Briar FC 2:3 Celtic FC

A horrendous playing surface at Joe Moakley Field on Sunday afternoon was not to blame as the Green Briar were dumped out of this year's MSSL Cup in the first round. One had just to look at the calibre of goal scored on the day to understand the result. The Briar coming up with two well worked goals at one end while very poor lapses in concentration and at times comedic defending gifted Celtic a hatrick of soft goals.

To say the Briar dominated the opening half is not an understatement. Yet they incredibly made the turn one down as sloppy play from a Briar free kick saw the ball turned over. Celtic subsequently led a great smash and grab counter attack to find the net off the right hand post. The Briar had committed men forward expecting a long delivery, yet they turned around to find the ball nestled in their own net.

This blog post would be thousands of words long if all the spurned opportunities of the first half were described, suffice it to say the net was not found for all the endeavour that was shown in the build up play. Three or four of the chances made were guilt edged opportunities to say the least. Braima Samati coming up empty on two break aways and Brian Claus and Gary Cassidy volleying over from their respective wings from close range.

It took the Green Briar four minutes of the second half to find the equalizer. A marauding run by David Lally out of the back saw him cross half way and lift a delightful ball over the defense to Gary Cassidy. The Limerick-man had stolen a march on the defense and yet had the composure to find an exquisitely weighted lob over the keeper to find the net. We are used to seeing Gary come up with special goals, but this one ranks highly even for him, considering the pitch conditions and the game situation.

As the sixty minute mark came and went, the Green Briar hit the self destruct button in the space of two minutes. Firstly, a long free kick from the Celts floated innocuously towards the Briar goal. Incredibly the ball went through DelPieri's hands in goal to gift the lead back to Celtic. 

It seemed like only seconds later the ball was pinging around the Briar penalty area again and as DelPieri got caught in no man's land, David Lally was forced to handle on the line to stop a sure goal. Lally was lucky not to see his marching orders, but Celtic grabbed the gift that was presented to them and doubled their lead from the spot.

Five minutes later the Briar would respond. A beautifully driven free kick from Gary Cassidy was headed back across goal by Emmett Doonan and Brian McGuinness found the net with his head from 4 yards. McGuinness deserved this reward for a classy performance. He was at the hub of most good things the Briar created on the day as he put in his best performance of the season.

With seven minutes remaining the Green Briar earned a life line in the tie. Braima Samati wriggled free in the area and his shot was handled by a Celtic defender resulting in a penalty kick. Leo O'Connor stepped up but missed, as the Celtic keeper got down well to his right to stop the shot that could have been hit with more authority.

In the remaining minutes Gary Cassidy still managed to find a stinging shot only to see it clawed over by a Celtic keeper who was on his game. Time ultimately expired in the tie and Green Briar FC wish Joe and Rory McGrath and their team the best of luck in the next round.

Line Up: DelPieri, Hannick, Doonan, Lally(c), Hennessy(56'), McGuinness, O'Connor, Claus(74'), Cassidy, Coyne(78'), Samati(YC)(89')

Subs: Rossetti(34'), Coen(16'), McCarney(12'), Caldwell(1')

Unused: Mullane

Games for May 8th

Please be at the respective fields at least 30 minutes in advance of Kick Off

Green Briar O30's vs Rover FC ( 9AM Kick-Off  )
Fillipello Park (Grass)
110 Arlington Street
Watertown MA 02472 (Map)

Green Briar FC vs Celtic FC ( 4:00PM Kick-Off  )
Joe Moakley Park (Grass)
William J Day Boulevard
Boston MA 02125 (Map)

Over 30's bag 4 goals in 4th win of the season

Boston Gunners 2:4 Green Briar O30's

The more familiar environs of Mayor Thomas Danehy Park was the venue for the Over 30's this week, as they faced a Boston Gunners side that have shown some promise this season. Was this to be a real test for the Briar?

Gary Keane was hoping his form players, O'Connor, Hall and Hickey would continue their good performances this week. It would seem the trio can do no wrong lately, even managing a 1st place finish in the club's Trivia Event last Thursday night at the Green Briar. Their team "Golden Balls" schooling the competition along the way. Who'd have believed they knew so much about pressure (The scientific unit of which is the Pascal we learned on the night). Keane was forced to shuffle his midfield to begin the game however. Brendan Joyce gladly deputizing as O'Connor tended to some unfinished business.

The opening chance of the game arrived on 8 minutes. Stephen McDonagh picked up the ball on the left and swept a nice cross field pass to an unmarked Hickey. Continuing his run, McDonagh arrived at the 6 yard box to meet the cross that Hickey had delivered. McDonagh whiffed on the chance for his 1st goal of the campaign however, attempting the finish right footed when a simple tap in with his weaker left foot was the order of the day.

The exchanges over the ensuing minutes were evenly balanced. The Gunners going close from distance and later from the edge of the box following sloppy defending at a corner. The Briar replied when Kevin O'Donnell shot just over from long range, and John Hickey skewed a shot wide when he couldn't get over a bouncing ball.

The deadlock was broken on 28 minutes when a delightful reverse ball from John Hickey was slotted home confidently by Leo O'Connor.

Two minutes later, Conor Bagnell latched on to a deflected cross from Kevin Higgins. His left foot volley from the edge of the box was just off target.

The Gunners threatened again on 38 minutes when a cheap give away by the defense led to another long distance shot whistling wide of the Green Briar net. The final action of the half fell to Kevin O'Donnell. Davey Coen lifted a ball over the defense to Leo O'Connor. His 50/50 challenge with the keeper led to a deflected ball falling kindly to O'Donnell on the edge of the box. Losing his balance as he shot, he only managed to sky his effort well over.

Against a slight breeze in the second half the Briar conceded the equalizer right off the bat. A corner to the near post was dealt with poorly and the Gunners were level. The next few minutes of the game were important and the Gunners were unlucky not to take the lead. Capitalizing on complacent defending, they got a sharp shot away from inside the box only to see it go wide once again.

On 55 minutes the Briar produced the move of the match. A tidy interchange down the left wing from O'Connor and Coen led to a delightful cross. John Hickey rose to meet the ball from the 6 yard line but only managed to rock the underside of the crossbar. John was quick to point out after the game that if Danehy Park was equipped with the regulation round posts and crossbar, he surely would have added to his season's total.

The Briar continued to create great chances. Leo O'Connor raced away from the defense for a 1 on 1 with the keeper. Unfortunately he hit the bouncing ball over. Later Gavin Hall saw a shot saved brilliantly when he struck a cut back ball from O'Connor.

The lead was restored on 70 minutes. A long ball over the top from Coen was run down by O'Connor and he in turn found Hickey who was flying down the right. Hickey slid the ball home past the on rushing keeper in clinical fashion.

It would only take one more minute for the Briar to extend their lead. A powerful shot from Coen was deflected to the bi-line. Leo O'Connor picked up the loose ball and cut back for Gavin Hall who slotted the third.

Ten minutes later O'Connor was in again, however the ball fell to his weaker left foot and he dragged his shot wide of the target. On 80 minutes the Gunners found another goal from a near post corner. The Gunner's attacker reacting quickest in the box to head past Higgins who was guarding the post.

The two goal lead was restored just two minutes later. Tom McElwain played an exquisite pass over the defense to spring John Hickey free. His squaring ball was met first-time on the half volley by Leo O'Connor. The quality of the goal was only matched by it's simplicity as the three players involved contributed with one touch each to find the net emphatically.

The final action of the day saw Dave Coen very unlucky not to earn a spot kick when he was challenged late by the Gunners' keeper. The ball he had helped towards goal was well gone by the time the challenge arrived. The ball was cleared and the penalty shouts waved off however.

The performances have been steadily improving as the season continues, with notable shifts put in from Kilber-Stearns, O'Donnell and Kevin Higgins who filled in seamlessly at left back.

Line Up: Keane, Gillick, Hannick, Concagh, McElwain(c), Kilber-Stearns, Joyce, Hall, O'Donnell, Hickey, McDonagh. Subs: Bagnell, Kelly, O'Connor, Higgins, Coen, Shursky, Nassar