Terenure FC

UCFL Div. 3B
21 April 2010

Riverside 2 - 1 Terenure 4ths

Just not good enough is the only way to put this, we knew going into the game that we needed a win to get back on track, after Monday we knew Riverside would work like demons for a result and we'd have to match them all the way, but we didn't do it. We started fairly well having by far the better of the possession and creating a few chances in the first 20 minutes, there was a feeling at that stage that if we got in front there was a big win there for us. Then disaster struck "Cicero" the big Riverside centre forward got a decent ball for the first time in the game and he bullied his way in on goal to give Riverside the lead, with our confidence already fragile it was a setback and it was evident that we started to play more direct aimless long balls.

All wasn’t lost though and when Brian Donlon was fouled just inside the penalty box, Wayne Belton stepped up to equalise (for some reason I wasn't asked to take it ), there was a bit of controversy as the ref didn't seem to whistle for the peno to be taken but the goal stood. You could almost feel the confidence rising again in the team as we looked like going in at least level at half time, but there was more drama to come.

Riverside played a long ball into our box which keeper Niall McCall came to punch, unfortunately he didn't connect properly and as he punched again he got the ball but also made contact with a Riverside forward attempting to head it. The referee decided this was a penalty and it seemed very harsh, Riverside scored form the spot and again there was uproar as the ref failed to whistle for the kick to be taken. As half time came around we were left frustrated and were beginning to waste energy moaning at the referee and at each other.

The second half was surprisingly uneventful for the most part. The overly fussy ref continued to disrupt the game by blowing every time a ball was contested and frustration mounted as both teams started to pick up bookings. Chances were fairly rare as Riverside were content to hit their front men early and use their pace on the counter, while we failed to create enough with our territorial advantage. Kevin Murphy probably coming closest as he defied injury to come off the bench. In the closing minutes Riverside should have put the game out of sight, we were playing 3-4-3 at this stage and they broke through twice, but fluffed the finishes.

WFC await our injury hit squad on Saturday with Allenton next Wednesday. Anything less than 4 points would leave us with a huge mountain to climb.