Booterstown FC Vs St Marys Boys Booterstown started the game at a league high, in second position, and it was time to see if all the pre-season training was to pay off. Town lined out as follows: GK Roy Tobin RB Gareth Kenny CB Gearoid Keegan CB Tom Fortune LB David McKeown RM Keith Tobin CM Damien CM Niall Byrne LM Stephen O’Flynn ST Shane Regan ST Kevin O’Flynn With town’s manager on a scouting mission it was up to caretaker Michael Walshe to get the team off to the dream start. Unfortunately St Mary’s did not read the same script and started the game with ideas of their own. Showing plenty of strength the away side were the better team from the get go, Dean Reilly converting after 25mins and Owen Dornan following up soon after from a free kick. Town were left holding on till the half time whistle. After an inspiring half time talk the team regrouped. A tactical substitution seen the introduction of David Igoe, who came on in place of Shane Regan. Igoe tucked in behind Kevin O’Flynn and the team switched to a long ball game. Booterstown kicked off the second half with a bit more confidence but Mary’s were relentless and raised the tempo to provide some fantastic football. Town were keen to keep the gates closed and shut down everything the Mary’s had to offer. Roy Tobin being called into action more than once and his timing at coming to collect loose balls a major boost to the defence. It was the keeper who set up Town’s reply, after bailing out the defence with a great stop, he played a quick ball to Gareth Kenny on his right, Gareth was sharp to spot Kevin O’Flynns run down the centre. Kev made all, collecting the ball at the edge of the box he picked his spot and slotted home, already a contender for goal of the season. But just as the Phoenix was about to rise the Mary’s went about quenching the flame, running at the defence from tip, which caused enough confusion in a complacent town to allow Dean Reilly bag his second of the day. A war cry from Mike was enough to ensure Town weren’t about to lay down. Another tactical change brought Gareth to LB to shut down Mary’s right wing. Gearoid Keegan and Tom Fortune were charged with shutting out Mary’s dangerous ariel ability, the pairing astute enough to win Mary’s beautiful throw ins. Town continued to play long balls up front while shutting down the Mary machine all over the park. Kevin O’Flynn presence was felt all over the ground with his style of total football, picking up a yellow card for his ferocity on the half way line. Stephen O’Flynn also received a warning for being a bit heavy handed with one of the Mary’s youths, the young lad was subsequently substituted for his own safety. Booterstown were showing they had plenty of fight left in them and began to take control of the game. Another through ball to Kev found the Mary’s defence wanting, and with Kev one on one with the keeper and about to pull the trigger he was snapped from behind, the penalty awarded but the ref slow to dish out more than a yellow. As resident penalty taker Shane Regan watched from the sidelines the job fell on Stephen O’Flynn to place the ball on the spot. A real bone of contention as to who would be taking the team peno’s for the year was put to bed by Stevo as he picked out the corner of the net with a power shot no keeper in this league could handle. With 12 minutes left on the clock it was always going to be tough for town to salvage a point. The task not made any easier by the fact that the Mary’s were able to up the anti, throwing in some hard tackles that the ref deemed to be part of the game, Damo lucky to come away with his life after a foul that would be considered illegal in any sport. A long range free kick from Gareth Kenny caused some trouble for the Marys and they struggled to defend the follow up, leading to a free kick outside the box, unfortunately town were unable to convert. Town’s last chance came from a corner which was launched deep in to the box and Tom Fortune rose above the crowd to deliver a powerful header which sailed inches wide. A disappointing start to the campaign but with a game early next week a town huddle resulted in the team concentrating on the positives. Town have plenty of fight, can create and have started the season demonstrating their scoring ability. Next game on the Cliffs against Grant City on Monday the 19th, town resolved to put the city lights out.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 20:55:19 +0000
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