Beechlawn Rovers FC v Ramble Inn Celtic
Venue: Beechlawn Park
Date: 09th September 2009


Rovers recorded their second successive draw of the season in a tempestuous game this evening. The game did not start in ideal fashion as Beechlawn Rovers started with only ten players as they awaited the arrival of centre back Dave Murray. As expected with this, the hosts started fairly cagey until the full compliment of players were on board.
The first real opening of the game came to Rovers when Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam was released on goal but his shot went over under pressure from the Ramble Inn Defenders.
For the first half hour play was tight and confined to midfield with no real chances of note other than the opportunity from Bernt (who had his knob out). That all changed on 31 minutes when Bernt (who had his knob out) redeemed himself for the earlier miss with a tight finish following a barnstorming run from Kev Feeney. Rovers were in full control of the game now and made their dominance pay when Damo Murphy put Beechlawn Rovers two up on 39 minutes.
Further chances were created by Beechlawn Rovers but the sides went in at half time with the score 2-0.
Ramble Inn Celtic came out in the second half with the bit between their teeth and forced their way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty on 51 minutes. The peno coming after an in swinging ball from the right sailed over everyone and the Celtic player was bundled over by John O'Rourke when the ball seemed to be going away from danger. They made no mistake from the spot.
Tempers were flaring on both sides as each team were desperate for the 3 points and the fat, tubby-custard sized ref had to dish out his share of yellow cards with Colly Roden, Stef Power and Kev Feeney all receiving yellows. Indeed Colly Roden was lucky to stay on the pitch after a few fiery challenges towards the end of the match.
On 60 minutes Rovers got their 2 goal advantage back when Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam scored with a sublime lob to seemingly sow up the game. Unbelievably straight after the kickoff they could have made it 4 but Shane Denham pulled his rushed shot when he had more time than he thought. From here Ramble Inn played a quick kick out and pushed forward catching the Beechlawn’s defence sleeping to grab a goal for themselves. All this just 2 minutes after Bernt (who had his knob out) had given Rovers their third goal..
Ramble Inn were on the ascendancy now and a few balls over the top were desperately dealt with by the defence, along with one or two fine stops by John O'Rourke in goal. Butch was brought on for Kev Feeney up front just after the 70 minute mark who had run his socks off.
But all was level on 73 minutes when a hopeful long ball over the top of the Beechlawn Rovers defence wasn’t dealt with. Rovers defence trying to play the off side trap with nobody picking up the player running from deep stood still, as the Celtic player had the easy job of the putting the ball away to the delight of the visiting team.
The remaining 17 minutes was very much stop start as both teams boiled over and foul after foul was committed. Rovers ended the match on top, earning a succession of free kicks around the Celtic box but failed to create a chance of any note. Eoghan Russell was brought on with 5 or 6 minutes to go in place of Shane Denham but did not have enough time to make an impact on the game.
In the end both teams had to be happy with a point each with Rovers looking to get back to winning ways at the 90,000 seater capacity Beechlawn Park to Elm Mount FC on Saturday.

Starting line up:

John O'Rourke (GK)

Deco McCabe (RB)
Dave Murray (CB)
Colly Roden (CB)
Derek Mitchell (LB)

Damo Murphy (Mid)
Stef Power (Mid)
Shane Denham (RM)
Michael McCabe (LM)

Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam (FW)
Kev Feeney (FW)


Substitutes: Robbie Roden: Dan Judge: Eoghan Russell


Match report by David Denham.