OLV 2(N.Stapleton,P.Lowndes)-Portrane Ath 1

OLV entered this bruising game with an almost full strength line up of Dave Kelly,Garreth Donovan,Bart Kavanagh,Martin Dunican,Willie Murphy,Gordon Farrell,Pat Heary,James Coates(c),Mark Matthews,Mark Elliott and Noel Stapleton all looking to turn around a recent run of undeserved league and cup defeats.Having already played away to Portrane earlier this season the home side knew what to expect from this physical team from north Dublin. The opening exchanges consisted of both teams showing their tough sides with heavy tackles coming from all corners of the pitch and all 22 players knew this wasn't going to be an easy 90 minutes. OLV looked most likely to score first as they pressed Portrane into their own half, kept possession well and played as a team full of confidence,but try as they might just couldn't find the finishing touch to the many shots and get the ball into the Portrane goal,surely this wasn't going to be like OLV's last few games and they would get back to winning ways. OLV then lost captain James Coates with a deep gash above his eye after a nasty clash of heads with his opposite number,but his replacement Philip Lowndes settled in straight away and OLV saw out the rest of the half as the far better side.

Half-time 0-0

Manager John Lowndes again had tough decisions to make and he brought Anto Stanley and Mick Collins into the game for the second half as the hosts knew they were bound to score if they could continue to play at the high tempo of the opening 45 minutes. Portrane were still in the game though and after some early second half pressure they had some chances which home keeper Dave Kelly dealt with superbly. OLV took a well deserved lead after Bart Kavanagh broke from defense, stormed up the pitch and a clever pass found OLV's answer to Robin Van Persie,Noel Stapleton who held his run well and calmly put the ball into the back of the net.
1-0
The home side could smell victory now and Ian Clifford entered the fray to try help OLV get the second goal they needed to put this game to bed,but as they pressed forward once again the visitors found space and broke away(somewhat lucky not to be called off-side)and bore down on the OLV goal but as the home defense recovered Bart Kavanagh tracked back well and was judged to have taken down the Portrane forward,the referee immediately pointed to the spot and the resulting penalty was dispatched coolly by the visitors.
1-1
OLV were playing far too well for the equalizer to knock them out of their stride and knew if they continued to play as a unit they would get a winning goal and the three points needed to get back up the league table,OLV's last sub Jonny Dutton came on as the game entered its last fifteen minutes and the constant pressure finally paid off after the markievicz side forced a couple of corners and when the ball fell to Mark Elliott he whipped a cross into the box for Philip Lowndes who expertly headed the ball home.
2-1
OLV controlled the game until the final whistle and were well worth this win over a very good Portrane team,and will now enter the Christmas break on a high,well done to all the lads!
Full time 2-1