Rivermeade 3...OLV 5 (P.Lowndes, A Stanley 2, D. Dunne, D. Byrne)

Rivermeade were riding on the crest of a wave, having gotten the better of  Pearse Celtic in the Grimes Cup last week.  They may have thought that OLV were primed for the taking at Wards Cross on Sunday morning, but that was not to be the case!  

OLV started the game in truly dominant form and anything that Riverrmeade had to throw at them, OLV matched it with steel.  Philip Lowndes started what should have been a rout when he diligently converted from close range to make it 1-0 and soon after winger Anto Stanley added his first OLV goal to make it 2-0 with a beautifully crafted finish that left the opposition incensed.

Rivermeade had  a couple of half chances but keeper Dave Kelly was equal to them with some fingertip magic.  A strong OLV back line of Neil Ferry, Martin Dunican, James Coates and Dave Kavanagh were for the most part, far superior to the threat of Rivermeade's attack.   Dave Kavanagh had his moments and in particular, a crisp pass that set up one of OLV's first half goals. James Coates was on fire and subdued most of Rivermeade's advances in Coatesy style, no prisoners taken.

The midfield were in superb form, Philip Lowndes never let a ball past him all day and Pat Heary was spreading the ball about like Flora on a Cracker.  Anto Stanley and Gordon Farrell were causing havoc on the wings and Rivermeade were looking like a team that was about to be totally annihilated. The winger's were causing all forms of pain for the Rivermeade rearguard and had opened them up time and time again.   It was unfortunate that OLV did not have a 5 goal advantage at the break but for miscues and bad luck.

3-0 at the half and cruise control.   Deco Byrne and Derek Dunne's rein of terror on the Rivermeade defence was over, for now.   Keith  Reid and Ian Clifford came in to spearhead the OLV attack and new another new recruit Alan 'Shorty' Short came in to the centre of midfield in place of (Captain Fantastic) Pat Heary.

Although the game changed dramatically in the space of a few minutes the fight was resolute from the OLV players. But then all hell broke loose,  firstly a deflected free kick, saw the scoreline change to 3-1 and then a blatent offside put rivermeade back in the game at 3-2 and lastly a simple free kick which was totally misjudged by goalkeeper Kelly and bounced from one post to the other post before being put in and all of sudden it was 3-3.

Manager John Lowndes earned his stripes as he quickly acknowledged how to get the game back in OLV's favour and made the changes that would effect defeat on Rivermaeade.  Soon after his reintroduction, Derek Dunne was fouled in the box and he duly dispatched his penalty effortlessly  past the Rivermeade keeper. Rivermeade were now reduced to 10 men and faced a daunting uphill challange.   Deco Byrne (the scoring machine) was again emphatic as he slotted home his 11th league goal of the season and it was game over with 5 well deserved goals in the bag.

All round it was the most comprehensive display of a very good season so far.  OLV are looking really good to finish this season in the best position ever, not surprisingly due to a wealth of over 35 talent that will be hard to match anywhere.

A special mention for,  Dave Kelly, Dave Kavanagh, Nail Ferry, Martin Dunican, James Coates, Anto Stanley, Pat Heary, Phil Lowndes, Gordon Farrell, Deco Byrne, Derek Dunne, Ian Clifford, Keith Reid, Alan Short and John Lowndes,  What more can be said on a day like today!

Rivermeade 3....OLV 5