The Rovers Return

During the week the Captain, the Vice Captain and the Club Captain got together virtually as they were facing a perfect storm selection wise i.e. a league match, an Under 16 Shield Final and a Minor Cup final with also a few going down with the dreaded lurgy. Trying to balance all the balls with young player and oul player welfare one of the many conundrums. By Wednesday evening we had 8 players for Saturday and with the vagaries of Pitchero and people pushing wrong buttons or not pushing them at all things were looking bleak. But with a bit of cajoling and some players doubling up we managed to get 11 players by Thursday night and it all hinged on whether Jude O'Dwyer could double up as keeper after the 3s game. Jude duly obliged thanks Jude. We now had 12 players and one would have to umpire.

We had to play a Three Rock Rovers who were moved into our league in January from the league above. A bizarre decision as they look like they are only going to play everyone in our league once and could be relegated again poor Rovers. There's nothing like the sight of a light blue and brown halfed shirt to get the juices going for a derby game. The reds lined out with Jude O'Dwyer in goal postman Pat Boylan at left back, the old partnership of Lawrence Dallaglio (aka Neil Townsend) and Le Chien in the middle and Jake "The Snake" Roberts Tipping at right back. In the middle we were joined by Conor Miles, Ed Bourke (who played half a game for the thirds) , Jack Younge (note E) and Alastair MacWilliam. Up front we had Brendan O'Sullivan corner forward and 55 years today Guy "Old Geeyser" Banton. The pitch was watered for the main event.

The Reds started well in the first quarter and after a nice move Jack Young reversed one into the corner one nil. We had the ball in the back of the net again in similar fashion only for the goal to be disallowed for some strange reason. Three Rock Rovers with an old foe Robert Haughton still a big influence came back into it with a soft goal with "Nuts" being shouted at Jude in "Soccer AM" parlance. The 4s should have had a stroke after a defender was hit on the line with a short corner by the big BO'S man Brendan O'Sullivan not given. But he eventually scored from another break down of a corner. CHC 2-1 up end of first quarter.

The 2nd quarter was nip and tuck with the Rovers keeper keeping them in it. 2-1 up half time.

At half time we brought on Sam Stevenson for Ed Bourke with one eye on the cup match the following day. Alastair MacWilliam moved into the centre of mid-field. Rovers were leaving a high forward up on the left wing and he was looking dangerous a few times. Then in one attack the oppo hit the post and the self same forward had an easy tap in 2-2. The young guns in midfield were looking great with Jack Younge having an outstanding game. In one move the ball was fed into Conor Miles who turned his defender and was one on one with the keeper but was very unselfish and squared it to the birthday boy on a plate and that aulder codger was not going to miss from there. 3-2 up end of third quarter.

In the fourth quarter there were chances at both ends but with the heat of the sun the defence tired and Rovers got a soft equaliser. 3-3. The Reds had an odd chance after that but it ended 3-3. Big thanks to Neil Townsend, Sam Stevenson and Jude O'Dwyer for doubling up. They think it is all over its not there is a cup match today.

CUP PREVIEW

PUT YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD ALL SUPPORT WELCOME FOR THIS ALL TICKET GAME 5.00PM WHITECHURCH PARK V AVOCA THE LEAGUE LEADERS AFTER YOU HAVE TREATED YOUR MAMMIES ROYALLY