Harrys FC : Match Report v. Transformers on 31 March 2009

2009-04-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 31st March 2009

Atlantic Star 3 Transformers 1

Glasgow

Maguire 2

Team

Carlowe

Holian

Leach

Glasgow

Dickens

Maguire

Marler

Heffernan

Thorburn

Jack

As the runners up in the XGen Conference, Atlantic Star were paired up with Transformers who came third in the Gold Conference. A large crowd were in attendance as the prisoners’ loved ones turned out in force to see their men.

Star’s numbers were depleted with Atterbury, Coyne and Griffiths all not reaching the minimum requirement of six games, while injuries to Fraser and Coen, and absence of keeper Murray also added to the reduced line up.

The ever reliable goalkeepeing understudy Peter Carlowe donned the Marble & More number 1 shirt and he was to have an inspired game, even contributing with a goal albeit in the wrong net.

Star started brightly and moved the ball round well. Transformers lined up with a defensive formation keeping just one player in attack. Meanwhile Star were to play a lot of the first half with almost two attackers getting at the opponent’s back line.

As so often happens when Star are involved, the opposition keeper turns on one of the greatest performances of his life, and so it was proving as he repeatedly pulled off excellent saves to deny the red and white’s attacks. Marler, who had the bit between his teeth after an altercation with the security guard, looked hungry for goals and within a minute of coming on for Maguire he struck two stinging shots which the keeper did well to save.

The game was being conducted at a fast pace, and Transformers were intent on throwing in some physical challenges, a fair share of which were far from legal. However the sole referee was to keep the game flowing by allowing these tactics to go unpunished.

As the game ebbed towards a goalless half time, skipper Glasgow struck a thundering shot into the top corner giving the hapless Transformers’ goalie absolutely no choice. It was thoroughly deserved and the half time break was to provide a good respite for the entire squad who had worked tirelessly for the first twenty five minutes.

Star, always cautious in the early minutes of the second half, set out a more defensive stall at the start of the second half, trying to soak up the opponent’s pressure. An error from Holian, who proved that he is from a rugby town and was definitely brought up on the wrong sport, saw him for the second game running smash the ball against the ceiling to see yellow. Despite pleading his innocence everybody felt he was doing it on purpose to throw the game!! Transformers surprisingly didn’t exploit the opportunity as they remained with their same formation of just one in attack and Star weren’t to be punished. In contrast when the referee finally decided that enough was enough and one tackle too many warranted a yellow card, Star went all out putting the trio of strikers Dickens, Marler and Maguire all on together.

A cruel blow was to befall Star when an indirect free kick hit off Carlowe into the goal and suddenly it was all square again. Minutes later Transformers again struck an indirect free kick straight at goal but this time Carlowe allowed it to pass him and the goal wasn’t to stand.

Appeals for a blatant penalty were waved away by the referee after a Transformers player stopped a shot with his hands. Nobody could believe that the referee missed it. However he finally saw sense with the constant fouling of Transformers when he eventually showed a red card to former Harry’s FC player Gary.

The fouling continued, one of which was to lead to Star regaining the lead. Just to the right of the goal outside the box Maguire lined up to take a direct free kick. And as he has shown before he is more than capable of scoring from this range and he rocketed a low shot into the bottom corner to put Atlantic Star two one ahead.

Carlowe was getting asked more questions as the game wore on but he wasn’t to concede any more soft goals on a fantastic night by the youngster!

Another fantastic strike off the underside of the bar by Maguire gave Star a two goal advantage with only four minutes remaining, and it was enough of a cushion to deflate the opposition. Star kept possession for the remaining few minutes and held on for an excellent result and their seventh straight victory. In the other quarter finals Burger King beat UBS 8-0, RCC saw off Dart by six goals to two, and Coconut Joes edged out PWC in extra time. So Atlantic Star find themselves serious underdogs against Burger King in the semi final. The loss of Dickens will be a major blow but can the boys prevail.