Elm Mount FC (0) vs Beechlawn Rovers FC (1)
Venue: Alsaa
Date: 23rd January 2010

The AFL got back into action later than expected after the country was iced out for the first few weeks of the year. Conditions weren’t much better on Saturday with temperatures near zero and a dense fog over the pitch.
Preparations for the match were hit when Rovers were down two men before even leaving the dressing room. Mick Ennis and Michael McCabe failed to show, leaving Robbie Roden to make a few last minute changes to the line up. Dave Murray came into the centre of defence alongside Orey Roche. Joey Buckley moved out to right back and David Denham back to his left midfield position.
The game took some time to get into gear, understandably with both teams trying to adapt to the muggy condition of the pitch. Beechlawn Rovers found their feet after 15 minutes and started exposing the Elm Mount lack of pace at the back. Kev Feeney fed a couple of sweet through balls behind the defence for Double D to run onto. However the crosses into the box were swept up by the home keeper.
Elm Mount were struggling to find their passes and it resulted in a series of long balls over the top which found their way straight to Dan Judge in goals. They did force a number of corners without taking advantage of them. A tight first half without any goals or real goal scoring opportunities drew to an end.
After a minutes silence, the second half got under way. Rovers used the advantage of playing downhill straight away and attacked the Elm Mount defence at every opportunity. The left wing was seeing plenty of the ball and some neat interchanges between Kev 'Its Gone Man Its Gone' Feeney, Double D and Damo created a few half chances for David Denham. The best of them saw him put through on goal but his shot was parried by the keeper and the defence managed to eventually get the ball to safety. Rovers kept up the pressure and created a number of good chances. Kev Feeney was very unlucky not to get his name on the score sheet when the Elm Mount keeper made a splendid save, diving to his right keep out Kev 'Its Gone Man Its Gone' Feeney’s drive.
Beechlawn Rovers had one or scares when 2 through balls were spilled by keeper Dan Judge but he managed to retrieve the ball on each occasion.
The breakthrough came with around 15 minutes left on the clock. Shane Denham found himself on the left wing and his cross across the 6 yard box found Damo Murphy unmarked to riffle home a deserved goal.
Rovers could have added to that goal with a few long range shots from Kev 'Its Gone Man Its Gone' Feeney, Damo, Denham and Double D. The home keeper did well to tip over a dipping Kev 'Its Gone Man Its Gone' Feeney shot as well.
The only yellow card of the game when Stef Power was kicked on the floor after a strong challenge. Overall though, the fat, tubby-custard sized ref did well to keep the game flowing without much incident.
With 8 minutes to go, Beechlawn Rovers made their only available substitution with Deco McCabe coming on for David Denham who was suffering from cramp.
Elm Mount finished the game strong and they did their best to attack without ever really penetrating through a resolute Beechlawns defence.
Rovers held firm to record a good win over their table propping neighbours. Next up is a home match against the in form Columbus Rovers.
Team:

Dan Judge (GK)

Kev Mullen (LB)
Orey Roche (CB)
Dave Murray (CB)
Joey Buckley (RB)

David Denham (LM)
Stef Power (Mid)
Damo Murphy (Mid)
Shane Denham (RM)

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

Substitutes:
Deco McCabe (for Double D on 82mins)