London Rissc 2-7 Bristolo Italiano City
Yep the score is correct but doesn't reflect the game....................once again we had to draw on our reserves as the days leading up to the game players were becoming unavailable due to trips away, injuries and work commitments..........................(7 players missing who would have played or giving me options to change the game if need be)
We had Dan Healey and Adrian Ward returning to the full back positions Karl McGee partnered Donie Mullen in the centre of defence in front of Darren Nolan in goal. Sean O'Halloran joined Mick Coffey in centre midfield whilst Kevin Logan returned to the left and Rob (karl's mate) helped out on the right. Up front top scorer Liam Kelly was joined by Phil O'Dwyer who had waited for this moment since starting with the team 3 years ago.
Bristol City had a very unfamiliar look to them (maybe an exchange weekend with their twinned town in Italy as half of them had strong Italian accents with limited English, rather than strong bristol accents with limited English !)
Game started with the Irish having most possession about 20 mins in ,one of the Italians broke through and on getting the ball Karl McGee took the man as well.........Derek Russell pointed to the spot 1-0 BC after a retake for encrouchment. The Irish stormed the BC goal and the equaliser came with a fine header from Liam Kelly meeting a Mick Coffey corner. A free kick from Karl McGee into the penalty area and that man Liam Kelly rose above the BC defence to make it 2-1 to the Irish. BC hit back soon after 2-2 with an unfortunate own goal, a free kick into the box, a Irish head tried to clear but headed past keeper Darren Nolan. Sean O' Halloran was winning every high ball in midfield from goal kicks and throw ins and made the odd crunching tackle as well. Mick Coffey was also on top and Kevin Logan marked his return with a dazzling show on the wings
Sensing half time coming the Irish kept up the siege of the BC goal with the wind behind us, Liam Kelly ran on to a through ball but scoped the ball over the bar, just before half time both Liam and Phil O'Dwyer couldn't force the ball over the line in a goalmouth scramble .....2-2 half time.
With the wind behind them and 2 more italians brough on in midfield BC launched a high ball towards the irish goal, keeper Darren Nolan called for it but the wind caught it and it was over his head the BC forward ran on to it 3-2 BC. Game on again and Phil O'Dwyer brought the ball down in the box turned and struck a half volley which struck the keeper's arm and bounced away to safety. Shots rained in on the Bristol goal but their keeper stood strong. Another freak goal for their 4th Sean ran their player to the goal line who in turn tried to cross the ball, the wind caught it and it sailed into the far top corner. 4-2 down we started to chase the game leaving gaps at the back, Adrian Ward went of injured with 15 mins to go and with a 3 4 3 formation we tried to claw the game back. 3 late goals conceded as no changes could be made to counter the stronger BC team.
Disheartened after the game, 5 games left and a possible 15 points Birmingham City next on 3rd April at home, with the return of the missing players we have the opportunity to turn the season round. All the players involved on Sunday gave 110%........and that is what is required between now and the end of the season
1- DARREN NOLAN 2- DAN HEALEY 3- ADRIAN WARD 4- KARL McGEE 5- DONIE MULLEN 6- SEAN O'HALLORAN 7- MICK COFFEY 8- KEVIN LOGAN
9- LIAM KELLY 10- PHIL O'DWYER 11- ROB...................
