Ramble Inn Celtic V Glasnevin FC
Amateur Football League, Premier Saturday Division
Venue: St. Annes Park
Date: 27th March 2010

Glasnevin kept up they’re unbeaten start to 2010 with a 3-1 victory over Ramble Inn Celtic on Saturday following on from last weeks 1-0 win over Beaumont Athletic. The Diggers are now joint 4th in the table with 2 games in hand over they’re rivals and looking to catch the top two in what would be a huge turn around to they’re season.

Preparations for the game where less than ideal with the Diggers already missing regular players in Willie Byrne, Colin Daly and Mark McCauley from the side. James Lynch then failed to show and McHugh and Hearns turning up right before kick off, Eddie Riley was drafted into the team in a reshuffled defence with Sean Johnston moving into centre back alongside Ian Daly.
The disruption had a clear effect on the team in the early part of the match as the Digger’s struggle to settle down and get they’re game going. However when they eventually did find they’re game, Ramble Inn struggled to cope with the pace and skill of the Diggers attack.
Two contentious penalties where awarded in the space of a few minutes with both sides disputing the decisions by ex Diggers player Charlie Pearce. The first penalty was awarded to Glasnevin when Kenny McLoughlin swung in a corner only to be cleared away, however referee Pearce saw an infringement and awarded the spot kick. Karl Hearns blasted the resulting kick into the net to give the Diggers the lead. Moments later the home side where level after Riley was punished for a handball in the box. A very harsh decision as the shot came in only 2 yards away and left the defender with no time to get his hand out of the way. The decision stood though and the home side took full advantage in putting the ball away to level the scores.
Both sides where finding it tough to deal with the conditions on the day with a fierce wind blowing down a bumpy and heavy pitch. However Glasnevin where creating the better chances with O’Neill and Kearns linking well with the two attackers to give the home defence plenty to think about. Indeed the visitors had the best chance of the half to get the lead goal when they hit the post only for the rebound to be snatched by a grateful Ramble Inn keeper. Both sides went level at the break but Glasnevin where on top and growing in confidence.
That confidence carried on into the second half and it didn’t take long for the away side to get they’re second goal of the game. A smashing goal it was too, after great work by Kearns on the right wing, he fed the ball to Warren who sent in a delightful cross and McKenna finished it off with a bullet header past a stranded keeper.
Ramble Inn tried to fashion a way back into the game and the Glasnevin defence had to be on guard a number of times to sniff out the home sides attack. The game was effectively killed off when Glasnevin got they’re third goal of the game with 15 minutes to go. Ciaran McKenna did brilliantly to chase down the keeper and rob him of possession. He then fed the ball to Warren who after scuffing his first shot, controlled the ball and passed it into the net for a deserved goal.
Ramble Inn didn’t give up though and they forced a number of corners in the last 10 minutes looking for that second goal that would get them back into the game. And the Digger’s had Keeper Alan McHugh to thank for keeping the scores as they where, when he made a stunning point blank save to deny the home side what seemed a certain goal.
Glasnevin could have added a fourth goal when a few counter attacks resulted in McKenna and Kearns being released but they couldn’t capitalise on either chance. Referee Pearce blew his whistle to draw the game to a close and send the Digger’s home happy with another 3 points.

Team:

Alan McHugh (GK)

Padraig Tansey (LB)
Sean Johnston (CB)
Ian Daly (CB)
Eddie Riley (RB)

Robbie O’Neill (LM)
Kenny McLoughlin (Mid)
Karl Hearns (Mid)
Keith Kearns (RM)

Ciaran McKenna (FW)
Jake Warren (FW)

Substitutes:
Aidan Topley
James Lynch
Gerry Taaffe