St Vincent's DFC

St Vincent's DFC 2-2 The Diamond FC

O'Callaghan (25)
Watson (80)

After looking to be on course to record maximum points from the opening game of the season, conceding a last minute equaliser was a massive blow to the Blues as they looked to be value for the win despite a nervy 20 minute start. After Moloney had given away possession, the Diamond literally capitalised on the substitutes error by seeing their desperate strike squirm under goalkeeper Lowry's hands to earn themselves a share of the spoils.

It was a disappointing end to a match in which St Vincent's showed glimpses of their promise and potency. Geoff Foy's troops were clearly a bit off colour in the opening 20 minutes as they struggled to find their feet against a skillful Diamond team who had brought a very large squad with them on their trip to Cabra but after K.Byne and Green switched flanks, it gave the blues a more balanced look and they reaped dividends when a quick and clever throw from defender Wilson, returning from an achilles injury, found O'Callaghan who rushed clear to blast the ball past the helpless keeper.

The second half saw Diamond come out strongly and although St Vincent's matched them for effort, we looked uncomfortable as they had the momentum. After ten minutes, we threw on new signing, Ray Watson who came on for the tired K. Byrne but we could not prevent Diamond putting together a superb team-move which had our keeper picking the ball out of the net. To Diamond's credit, it was a marvelous goal in which the passing and movement was excellent.

With O'Callaghan and Smyth working hard up front, we created chances of our own but much to our frustrations it seemed as if we would never be able to convert them into goals. However we persisted and Watson's quick feet saw him escape the attentions of his marker as he cut in, firing a shot which was blocked by the covering defender but Watson pounced on the breaking ball as he struck it sweetly on the volley to score on his debut, giving the Blues the lead for the second time in the match.

The remaining ten minutes saw the Diamond switch to a gung-ho mode but we held out and looked to be on course to clinch all three points when Moloney made a desperate error which proved to be so costly as the visitors snatched a draw with what was pretty much the last opportunity of the game.

First XI: Lowry, Wilson, Archer, Connolly, S. Foy, Green, G. Foy, McMahon, K. Byrne, O'Callaghan (c) and Smyth.

Subs: Watson (K. Byrne), Moloney (Wilson).
Unused subs: McGrattan and S. Byrne

MOM: Not awarded.