Terenure FC

UCFL Div. 3
10 March 2012

Terenure FC 3rds 1 – 0 Dundrum Town FC

The true value of a settled defence really shone through in this very tight game as few chances were created by either side and we came away with three points. Too often this season we have been on top in games and given away sloppy goals but the defence has been excellent recently and they won out here when Dundrum were good value for at least a draw on the balance of play.

The pitch in Bushy Park was freshly cut and in the best condition it's been for a while and despite a lack of grass in patches it wasn't a hindrance to playing football on the deck, with mild weather and little wind there was no excuses for either side. The conditions also seemed to suit Dundrum who looked much improved from our pre-Christmas encounter in appalling conditions in Dodder Valley Park. Dundrum started brightly and with a quick striker and some good midfield play they had the better of the opening spell, getting in behind our defence on a couple of occasions but failing to make the opportunities count.

The game settled into a fairly dogged affair as both teams tried to pass the ball through midfield but all too often they cancelled each other out and were scrapping for possession. The front men from both sides were frustrated figures as they saw all too little of the ball. Dundrum did come closest to opening the scoring with their best chance of the game, a scramble in the penalty area resulting in a shot off the bar.

When the game's only goal did arrive it was more fluke than anything else. An all too rare Terenure shot at goal, from 25 yards, taking a heavy deflection and despite the keeper seeming to make a comfortable save the ball somehow squirmed out of his grasp and just about over the line before he could retrieve the situation. Emmet wasn't complaining though as he happily claimed it.

The second half was much like the first as both teams battled hard, some tough tackles resulting in yellow cards, but few chances for either team. We probably controlled the game a little better in the second half and I can only remember one chance of note for Dundrum as I lost the ball with my first touch and they broke the length of the pitch and shot narrowly wide. At the other end I can't recall any efforts that troubled the Dundrum keeper.

This was a game dominated by defences and all too often bogged down in midfield so we were relieved and pleased to have three points in the bag at the final whistle. With games against all of the top five teams still to come we've now moved up to 7th and if we can build on this form we'll be looking to push into the top half before the season is out.

Results 10th March:
Terenure 1 - 0 Dundrum
Castle Celtic 2nds 0 - 0 Grant City

Team	Played	Won	Draw	Lost	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Siemens FC	19	12	2	5	53	31	22	38
Brookfield Celtic 2nds	17	10	3	4	60	30	30	33
Glasnaoin FC 2nds	17	8	6	3	37	22	15	30
AFC Justice	17	9	3	5	37	24	13	30
Grant City	17	8	6	3	32	26	6	30
Castle Celtic 2nds	19	6	6	7	32	27	5	24
Terenure FC 3rds	15	6	5	4	28	28	0	23
Dundrum Town	19	6	3	10	37	53	-16	21
Arthur Griffith Pk 2nds	17	5	3	9	30	41	-11	18
Phoenix Athletic	16	5	3	8	26	39	-13	18
Three Trout Rovers	19	3	3	13	22	42	-20	12
Dollymount FC	16	3	3	10	19	49	-30	12