Nolan Saves Inchicore From Defeat

I missed last weeks round of matches in The LSL Sunday Premier Division which saw Inchicore pick up a huge 7-2 win against Park Celtic after a 4-1 loss away to Liffey Valley Rangers.  As I arrived at Bernard Curtis Park for Sundays encounter against Blessington it was apparent that something was up, I was asked if I had some boots and gloves (jokingly of course).  With only the bare minimum of 11 players available there was no goalkeeper amongst them.

With only minutes to kick off it looked likely that Inchicore would have to start without a recognised goalkeeper.  Rob Nolan arrived with seconds to spare to the teams relief and the game could finally kick off.  Blessington made a great start but found Nolan to be in inspired form.  Three top drawer saves from the net minder in the space of five first half minutes gave the home team a foundation from which to build upon.

Dean Costello had Inchicores first real effort but Blessingtons goalkeeper showed his agility to tip Costellos close range effort over the bar.  Inchicore upped the tempo and had two great chances to break the deadlock just before halftime but headed straight at the keeper on both occasions.  It was Blessington who headed to the break knowing they should have been ahead thanks but for the fine work of late Inchicore call up Rob Nolan.

John Luby sees his free kick come back off the wall

A stern half time team talk from coach Alan O'Brien saw an even more determined Inchicore take to the field for the restart.  Al Brennan, playing as a lone striker, saw a well hit strike off his right foot fizz inches over the bar.  It was midway through the second half that saw the deadlock broken when Blessington succumbed to Inchicores pressure and concede a penalty.  John Luby was coolness personified as he stepped up and put the keeper the wrong way with a finely taken spot kick.

Ciaran Ronan, making a return to the team, almost doubled Inchicores advantage moments later but his shot was cleared expertly off the line by a Blessington defender.  Blessington pushed for an equaliser but Sean Blake was a rock in the centre of Inchicores defence that kept their strikers at bay time after time.  The visitors thought they had a leveller when a deflected shot almost caught Rob Nolan in goal off guard, his legs came to the rescue and the lead remained intact.

The tie was settled as a contest with ten minutes remaining when a huge clearance from the edge of his own box by Dean Costello released Al Brennan who calmly slotted past the advancing keeper.  It was a fine goal for the striker and one that the home side thoroughly deserved.   Inchicore saw out the game with the clean sheet intact and the result sees them move up to fourth on the ladder with a trip to bottom club Cabinteely coming up next Sunday