Beechlawn Rovers FC (2) v Columbus Rovers (1)
Venue: Beechlawn Park
Date: 30th January 2010

Beechlawn Rovers came up against the in form team of the division when they hosted Columbus Rovers in Albert collage on Saturday. Columbus were looking to make it four wins straight with Rovers looking to put back to back wins together for the first time this season.
Rovers were lifted by the performance in their 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 Beechlawn Rovers 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 Joey Buckley 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, Rovers were again on the attack. Michael McCabe 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 were relying on their keeper to keep them in the game at this stage and they were lucky to keep him on the pitch soon after. Stef Power rushed onto a through ball only to be hacked down by the keeper on the edge of the box. Luckily for the keeper, the cheating scumbag of a ref, who had a massive beard, 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, their best being a shot that flew well wide of the post.
1-0 at half time and manager Robbie Roden was very pleased with the solid showing from his in the opening 45 minutes.
Beechlawn Rovers 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. Kev Feeney got his free kick on target but unfortunately for him it was straight at the keeper.
Rovers wouldn’t have to wait long before getting their second goal of the game. A kick out by keeper Dan Judge was delightfully flicked on by Damo Murphy to the feet of Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam. 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 Rovers looking comfortable on the ball and finding their passes throughout midfield a lot better. Only the lack of a final ball prevented them from opening up their lead further.
This clearly got to the away side whose response were a series of ill timed tackles. Damo Murphy got on the end of one in the 53rd minute; however the cheating scumbag of a ref, who had a massive beard, was in no rush to issue yellow cards on the day.
The Beechlawn Rovers midfield and defence were working extremely hard to close down any attacks from the visitors and Orey Roche epitomised that soon after with a series of good blocks and chasing down of the Columbus attack.
Kev Mullen was showing good energy to support the attack and made a few darting runs, combing well with Michael McCabe and Stef Power on occasion.
Bernt (who had his knob out) Fullam 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, Michael McCabe went on a mesmerising Gary Doherty-like dribble but he could force through his pass and the attack broke down. Columbus were 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 Joey Buckley and then Orey Roche had to make good tackles to stop the visitors getting through.
The game was very tight at this stage and on 63 minutes Damo Murphy picked up a silly booking when kicking the ball away after conceding a free kick. The cheating scumbag of a ref, who had a massive beard, 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 Michael McCabe who had to be replaced after 80 minutes, to be replaced by Mick Ennis on the left of midfield.
The final ten minutes saw the game really open up with both sides attacking at will. Joey Buckley produced a fine block on 86 minutes with Rovers attack straight after only for Bernt (who had his knob out) 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 Mick Ennis was very unlucky to be ruled offside when he was sent clean through on goal. One of mainly tight decisions in the game.
The cheating scumbag of a ref, who had a massive beard, somehow managed to find 4 minutes of injury time in the game and the visitors got their 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. Dan Judge will feel unlucky as he got a good hand to it but it managed to find its way into the net.
The cheating scumbag of a ref, who had a massive beard, blew for time straight from the kick off to give Rovers a thoroughly deserved victory on the day.
They next have an away game with Ramble Inn knowing that victory there will lift them above their opponents and could even leapfrog them 3 places into mid table.

Team:

Dan Judge (GK)

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

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

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

Substitutes:
Deco McCabe
Eoghan Russell
Derek Mitchell
John O'Rourke
Mick Ennis