Stalemate between United and LC Services

Thanks to Liam Weeks for this match report

UCC United earned a well-deserved point after a battling draw against LC Services on Saturday last. Although netting their only goal as early as the first minute, it was very much a case of holding on for a side that was short of many of its best players, and had no substitutes available on the day.

Marcel de Kruijf was once again on the score sheet, for the second time this season. Truth be told, Saturday’s effort was as fortuitous as his goal on the opening day was outstanding. In a race for the ball with the opponents’ goalkeeper, the latter was clearly put off by the steely determination in the whites of Marcel’s eyes, leaving the Dutch striker with a relatively straightforward task of slotting the ball into an empty net.

From then on, UCC United knew it was very much a case of holding onto their slender lead, as they were facing an opposition with an unbeaten record. LC Services were held scoreless until the half-time break, following a lengthy stoppage for an injury to one of LC Services’s players who clashed heads with Liam Weeks. The allegations that the former was dazzled by Weeks’ new boots were rejected by the UCC United midfielder.

LC Services finally got the goal that their pressure warranted an hour into the game. A free kick from the outside left was swung into the penalty area with pace, and one of the LC Services defenders neatly headed the ball over the onrushing UCC ‘keeper Romain Gosselin. From then on, Gosselin performed a number of heroics, depriving L and C of what seemed an imminent winner. He was admirably helped by his entire back four who produced a sterling effort to keep LC Services at bay.

Even though LC Services dominated possession, UCC were content to let them retain the ball in non-danger areas. Whenever the opposition came within a sniff of the goal, they were inevitably countered by either Mark Copley, Gordon McAlester, Ronan O Dubhghaill, or Seamus Coffey. Indeed, if UCC had a couple of substitutes to relieve some tired legs in the second half, they could have snatched a winner. Several times they broke clear on the counter-attack, but had their options limited owing to tired limbs and a lack of support up front. Following on from a game thrown away the previous week, this was a well-deserved point for UCC United. They demonstrated that there is much potential in the team when they focus on getting the basics right. Once the team can match their potential with a higher level of fitness, this squad of players could spring a few surprises in this division. Provided they stay together as a cohesive unit, the future looks rosy for UCC United.

UCC United: R. Gosselin; M. Copley, R. O'Dubhghaill, G. McAlester, Seamus Coffey; A. Gibbs, M. Rae, J. Walmsley, L. Weeks; D. Kiely, M. de Kruijf.