Glasnevin FC (2) v Columbus Rovers (1)
Venue: Albert Collage
Date: 30th January 2010

Glasnevin came up against the in form team of the division when they hosted Columbus Rovers in Albert collage on Saturday. Columbus where looking to make it four wins straight with the Diggers looking to put back to back wins together for the first time this season.
The diggers where lifted by the performance in they’re last game away to Elm Mount and came into this game with a new confidence throughout the team. Chances for either side would be at a premium in the opening 20 minutes. The best chances coming from Glasnevin who forced the Columbus keeper into two decent blocks. The away keeper showed good alertness to rush from his line on both occasions to close down the home sides attack.
The deadlock was broken on 32 minutes when Mark McCauley managed to bundle the ball over the line from a corner kick. A scrappy goal but nevertheless a deserved goal for the home side.
Straight after the kick off, the diggers where again on the attack. Jake Warren was sent clean through but once again the keeper was out fast to make an important block and keep his side in the game. Columbus where relying on they’re keeper to keep them in the game at this stage and they where lucky to keep him on the pitch soon after. Willie Byrne rushed onto a through ball only to be hacked down by the keeper on the edge of the box. Luckily for the keeper, the referee adjudged it to be a yellow card offence rather than a sending off to the dismay of the side. The resulting free kick was wasted and the game quickly turned into a scrappy affair for the remainder of the half. Columbus creating very clean cut chances, they’re best being a shot that flew well wide of the post.
1-0 at half time and manager Dan Daly was very pleased with the solid showing from his in the opening 45 minutes.
Glasnevin sprung into action straight from the off to earn a free kick 30 seconds into the second half on the edge of the Columbus box. Brian Blood got his free kick on target but unfortunately for him it was straight at the keeper.
The Diggers wouldn’t have to wait long before getting they’re second goal of the game. A kick out by keeper Paddy Byrne was delightfully flicked on by Karl Hearns to the feet of Kenny McLoughlin. Despite pressure from the away defence he produced a superb lob over the keeper to grab goal number four of the season for him.
That goal changed the complexion of the game with the diggers looking comfortable on the ball and finding they’re passes throughout midfield a lot better. Only the lack of a final ball prevented them from opening up they’re lead further.
This clearly got to the away side whose response where a series of ill timed tackles. Karl Hearns got on the end of one in the 53rd minute; however the referee was in no rush to issue yellow cards on the day.
The Glasnevin midfield and defence where working extremely hard to close down any attacks from the visitors and Colin Daly epitomised that soon after with a series of good blocks and chasing down of the Columbus attack.
Padraig Tansey was showing good energy to support the attack and made a few darting runs, combing well with Jake Warren and Willie Byrne on occasion.
Kenny McLoughlin must have thought he would be on the score sheet again when he was sent through only for the keeper to make yet another superb blocking tackle.
Straight after, Jake Warren went on a mesmerising dribble but he could force through his pass and the attack broke down. Columbus where back on the attack and they produced a good move resulting in a header that just went over to the relief of the home side. Soon after Mark McCauley and then Colin Daly had to make good tackles to stop the visitors getting through.
The game was very tight at this stage and on 63 minutes Karl Hearns picked up a silly booking when kicking the ball away after conceding a free kick. The referee wasn’t doing a great job of keeping control of the match and a series of rash tackles threatened the game to boil over and another crude challenge from the Columbus number saw another yellow card.
The physical side of the game took its toll on Jake Warren who had to be replaced after 80 minutes, to be replaced by James Lynch on the left of midfield.
The final ten minutes saw the game really open up with both sides attacking at will. Mark McCauley produced a fine block on 86 minutes with the diggers attack straight after only for Kenny to be caught offside. The visitors then a free kick on 89 minutes that just went over the bar. Again the home side attacked and James Lynch was very unlucky to be ruled offside when he was sent clean through on goal. One of mainly tight decisions in the game.
The referee somehow managed to find 4 minutes of injury time in the game and the visitors got they're consolation goal with the last kick of the game. A free kick was swung into the box and after the ball being bundled around; it popped free in the middle of the box to be dispatched by the away team. Paddy Byrne will feel unlucky as he got a good hand to it but it managed to find its way into the net.
The referee blew for time straight from the kick off to give the Diggers a thoroughly deserved victory on the day.
They next have an away game with Ramble Inn knowing that victory there will lift them above they’re opponents and could even leapfrog them 3 places into mid table.

Team:

Paddy Byrne (GK)

Padraig Tansey (LB)
Colin Daly (CB)
Daryl Slein (CB)
Mark McCauley (RB)

Jake Warren (LM)
Willie Byrne (Mid)
Karl Hearns (Mid)
Keith Kearns (RM)

Kenny McLoughlin (FW)
Brian Blood (FW)

Substitutes:
Sean Johnston
Rafael Nunes
Robbie O’Neill
Alan McHue
James Lynch