Rivermeade (3)v Glasnevin FC (0)
Date:12-12-2009
Venue: St. Margarets

After a demoralising defeat at home to Clontarf the previous week, the diggers set out to avenge they’re dismal record against a Rivermeade side riding high in the league.
As per usual this season, the diggers made changes to they’re side, with Alan McHugh coming back into the goal, Padraig Tansey coming into left back and Kenny McLoughlin coming into centre midfield and Keith Kearns reverting to his right wing slot. The strength of they’re bench was hit before the game had started when Jake Warren picked up an injury during the warm up. That left just back up keeper Paddy Byrne and midfielder Willie Byrne to give the side possible options on the pitch.
The game was barely a minute old when the first of countless challenges was made and the referee had to step in to cool the situation. He had a tough job on his hands and the first 15 minutes or so was littered with ill timed challenges and the resulting arguing from either team. However throughout this team, only a couple of yellow cards where issued by the ref.
The first goal of the game after around 20 minutes after a free kick was given away on the corner of the diggers box. The resulting kick was curled around the 3 man wall and keeper McHugh failed to hold onto the ball, pushing it down in front of him where the Rivermeade striker reacted first to plant the ball in the back of the net.
The goal was unlucky on the visitors who had theyre fare share of attacking play in the time but failed to make the most of them.
Things went bad to worse for the visitors when shortly after conceding the first goal, they where 2 down. A poor throw out by McHugh by passed the diggers right back and went straight to the Rivermeade left winger who drove past Johnston and blasted home to extend they’re lead.
Glasnevin responded by upping they’re game and where a treat up front straight away but Nunes was caught dwelling on possession when he had players free either side of him.
A contentious decision prevented the diggers getting back into the game when they had a harsh offside decision made against them. Nunes picked the ball up in midfield and released Riley with a defence splitting pass, Riley subsequently lobbing the keeper and was about to roll it into the back of the net only for the referees whistle to blow to the dismay of the visiting sideline.
Shortly after Riley had a great chance to pull a goal back again when a loose ball from a corner spun across goal but his tame shot went straight at the keeper when anything either side would surely have resulted in a goal. Glasnevin continued to press but went into the break 2 down.
Disaster struck early on in the second half when an angled ball caught out Padraig Tansey and the Rivermeade right winger strode on to blast the ball into the top of the net from the edge of the box. Rivermeade where 3 up and suddenly a swagger was added to theyre game.
The diggers responded by introducing Willie Byrne to centre midfield, taking off the tired Brian Blood and moving Kenny McLoughlin up front.
The edge to the game continued and it was amazing that nobody from either side was given a red card. Ian and Colin Daly produced they’re fair share off crunching tackles which where met with distain from the home side but the referee only issued yellow cards to the pair during the match.
The diggers continued to push forward in search of some pride from the match but a lack of sharpness and slowness to release the ball saw them squander any chances that came to them.
In the end Rivermeade came out worthy winners and the diggers go into the winter break hugely disappointed with they’re last few performances.

Starting line up:
Alan McHue (GK)

Sean Johnston (RB)
Mark McCauley (CB)
Ian Daly (CB)
Padraig Tansey (LB)

Eddie Riley(LM)
Kenny McLoughlin (CM)
Colin Daly (CM)
Keith Kearns (RM)

Rafael Nunes (FW)
Brian Blood (FW)


Substitutes:
Paddy Byrne
Willie Byrne