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Sun was shining, full squad and everyone was in good form what could possibly go wrong.
A team we beat only 2 weeks ago 9-1 were the opponents again this week, after our first loss last week this was a chance to make amends.
Casual was the word of the day from moment we were changing to the final whistle.

Team Sheet:
  1. Donal Lowry
  2. Robert Archer
  3. John Smyth
  4. Jamie Wilson
  5. Bren Johnson
  6. John Green
  7. Liam Moloney – 1 goal
  8. Ryan Bonass
  9. Justin Smith – Man of the Match
  10. Paul O’Callaghan ©
  11. Pat Maher – 1 goal

    Glenview had added a few players since last played them which seen them more organised and determined to get their first win but St. Vincent’s started well the well for first 15mins retaining the ball and trying to put a few passing moves together. While Pat Maher was causing problems for St. Vincent’s on the left, at the same time the back four was under pressure with no protection in front with Glenview’s quick ball out from defence.

    0-0   Penalty : passing move out on the left led Pat into the box to skip away from 2 player only for them catch him in the penalty box. Ryan stepped up but unlucky just missed the top corner. After this were started to find a few holes in their defence but only for ref to spoil it by blowing his whistle every 2mins. 

    1-0   GOAL: Paul starting to make an impact in the game collected the ball down the left, he cut inside while getting to the by-line when he pulled it back only for their defender to knock it into their goal. Glenview’s heads never dropped but once again St. Vincent’s were on turning the screw but only in flashes…

    2-0   GOAL: Corner came in from Jamie nicely floated in, it made its way to the back post in which Pat duly dispatched into the roof of the net, St. Vincent’s were cruising at this point or so they taught. Compliancy crept into their game while Glenview had changed their formation moving extra man back into to midfield which helped them out. Justin was put through one on one with goalkeeper clearly onside only for Ref to decide for some reason it was offside and on more than one occasion.

    2-1   GOAL: Half time was closing in and St.Vincent's were asleep with a throw in on the right, Glenview sent it into the corner but we half cleared and let Glenview re-claim the ball easily and work the ball into the box without a proper challenge and the ball fell to their striker it was soft attempt but somehow squeezed in. then the whistle blew.

    Disappointed and Angry, Geoff had given his thoughts of the game and didn’t hold back on how poor St. Vincent’s were when only a week ago we played some best football all season. Attitude was the problem as players were reminded we only won the first game against Glenview 9-1 cos we applied ourselves and fought for every ball.
    Casual attitude had to change to hold onto this victory but it never came. As it turned to a shambles in the second half.

    2-2   GOAL: 1min into second half Glenview raised their Tempo and fought for every ball while St. Vincent’s went missing all over the pitch. An over the top ball left their player through to slot it in to equalise and St. Vincent’s head went down and fingers were being pointed. 

    Geoff reacted and made some changed bringing on 2 subs while moving players around hoping to get a reaction but it was only short lived as they up the tempo but lost there composure and organisation on the pitch. The game was wide open and becoming stretched, in which would usually suit St. Vincent’s this time it was not to be.

    3-2 GOAL: Against the run of play we got over the top and had their defenders turned with Justin hassling the defenders as he was all day it paid off when confusion with Glenview keeper and centre half led to the ball falling to the feet of Justin but unselfishly pulling the ball across to Liam who rolled it into an empty net.

    Player Sent off: Glenview had a player sent off with his second yellow in which it was probably only thing the ref had gotten right. 1st yellow 2 footed tackle on John after the ball was already gone, 2nd Yellow on Liam in which had won the ball but went through Liam from behind to get it leaving the ref no option.

    This should have eased the game for St. Vincent’s but let Glenview in time and time again with them still creating chances despite being down to 10 men. St. Vincent’s had created rare opportunities but Glenview were being clever and breaking up our play by consistent fouling.

    3-3 GOAL:  St. Vincent’s had control of the game and tried to play there way out but got caught out on the ball at the back; Glenview broke with only 20yrds out but just scrambled the ball in…… 

    4-3 GOAL: while trying to put on the pressure on the game and win the game ST. Vincent’s pushed up but the lack of communication at the back led Glenview players to being kept onside every the ball went over the top easily as there was no pressure in midfield. They got lucky getting the ball into the box, the sub was now 6yrds out with 2 defenders in front of him but he somehow got the ball in the back of the net with only 10mins ago… This was a team that won first game 9-1 and 4-0 up by half time.

    Questions will be asked but all St. Vincent’s can do is get the winning the league out of their head, just apply themselves and take it game by game.

    Man of the Match: Justin Smyth – Hassled the defence at all times not letting them settle while always making himself available and holding the ball up and bringing players into the game.
 
 
 Transport FC 3 - 2 St. Vincents
AUL vs LSL it was the biggest tournament for St. Vincents. the 3rd cup tournament but this was the main test to gauge how far this team can go.

1.30pm arrived and team was announced.
1. Roy Keating
2. Timmy Doona
3. Rob Archer
4. Jamie Wilson
5. Bren Johnson
6. Richard Dougherty
7. Jason Maguire
8. Ryan  Bonass
9. John Greene
10. Paul O'Callaghan
11. Pat Maher

 IN a new look formation 4-1-4-1 with Paul spearheading the attack alone with Richard sitting in front of the defence. From the first whistle the team was set out to control the game in the middle of the park and set the tone. In which they did with the extra man in middle put the pressure on and turned them into a long ball team while we worked on the build up play. the first 30mins was prob the best football team had played raising there game against a transport team that included some of their A team regulars ( Damien McMahon). We hustled and harried without the ball but stayed calm and composed when we retained the ball.
when the half time whistled came the team looked disaapointed to be going in at 0-0. few chance were created but 3 fell to us but didnt make it count.

2nd half started the same way first half had finished with St. VIncents in charge and bossing the game but slowly and surely Transport had started to impose themself into the game.

1 - 0 to Transport, they scored from a mix up in a free-kick they had on the right. first shot hit the wall and went back out to them when he drilled in back in across the goal which to miss everyone and roll into the bottom corner which looked offiside as one player had been standing in front of Roy but never got a touch and Ref let it stand.

2-0 Transport - Second goal came courtesy of a penalty in which  we were caught short at the back while pushing up... quick over the top ball left striker one on one with Roy in which he got first touch and dived without any touch from Roy, once again ref was convince and gave the penalty in which they converted.

the heads never dropped and they created chance after chance and testing TRansport and reward came whena push on Paul in pen box lead to St. Vincents awarded a penalty in which Ryan despatched cooly. Game on and St. VIncents pushed harder and committed more men forward in which chances were created but duly wasted.

3-1 Transport - Long ball not cleared properly end in up pen box in which Jamie had control of the situation and tried to pass it onto John at left back to keep the game flowing, Bren ended being hit with the ball and fell nicely for transport in which it took 2 shots to get past Roy.

Game was over with 10mins left 2 goals were in the end too much for St. Vincents but the made it more interesting with 2nd goal in dying minutes from Jason Maguirein which he carried it from half way line on the left to cut in and drill past the keeper.

Team disappointed but learnt a valueable lesson for the rest of the season to make it count when on top.

MOM - Richard Dougherty protected the defence while also starting the attacks