Chanel SSC 3 - OLV 1

Chanel SSC 3- O L V 1 (M.Elliot)

Saturday afternoon saw a superb cup game played on a marshy pitch in
Saint Annes Park.
OLV must be wondering how they are not in the next round of the Clifford Cup as from the first whistle the visitors had the home side under the cosh with OLV full backs, James Coates(C) and ex-Chanel player Willie Murphy defending well and bombing forward at every opportunity while centre halves Martin Dunican and Bart Kavanagh kept the home teams strikers in their pockets, the engine room duo of Pat Heary and Alan Short bossed the midfield with tough tackling and intricate passing out to the flying wingers of Gordon Farrell and Anto Stanley who in turn provided cross after cross into the box looking for either of the impressive strike team of Rory Keogh or Mark Elliot to convert.
Keeper Dave Kelly was having a brilliant game making some fine saves and sprinting off his line to clear any of the rare chances that the rather young looking opponents managed to create but a couple of unlucky incidents in the OLV box had Chanel two goals ahead at the break.

Half Time 2-0

Once again OLV manager John Lowndes made some clever half time changes that saw the fit again pair of top scorer Noel Stapleton and full- back Neil Ferry join Mark Matthews in the revised second half line up to continue the assault on Chanel’s defence.
The three new additions immediately got involved in this smashing game and it wasn’t long before OLV pulled a goal back with a super curling effort from Mark Elliot who latched on to a terrific Mark Matthews through ball.
2-1
The home side battled away as wave after wave of OLV attacks made it look likely that the guests would open the floodgates and score more goals. Jonny Dutton and Paddy McEvoy then came off the bench to help the push for the equaliser as the game entered its last twenty minutes, but alas it was Chanel who scored next as OLV were caught on the break and the hosts capitalised on the space left by the dominant team.
3-1
The final ten minutes were even more intense and OLV fought until the final whistle to get the goals they deserved but it wasn’t to be.
Once again every OLV player can be proud of their contribution.
Full Time 3-1
A special mention must go to Pat Heary who last week stood down as club captain after a few seasons of brilliant leadership on and off the pitch. Thanks Pat from the entire OLV squad.