UCC United lose by the odd goal in three

UCC United were left regretting the chances they let slip away as they lost a one goal lead to go down 2-1 in the Farm yesterday to high-flying LC Services. In a tough battling game the College side went ahead in the 20th minute through a headed goal from man-of-the-match, Mark Rae. A perfectly floated corner from Daniel Kiely evaded everyone except Rae, who forcefully headed the ball into the net. The LC Services keeper got his hand to it but was unable to stop the powerful header. The goal was well deserved by the home side. The UCC United defence coped very well with the LC Services onslaught after the goal. They seemed comfortable as the half time whistle approached. However, a soft free kick 10 yards outside the UCC United box was to prove the undoing of the home side. The ball was driven directly into the UCC net from the free kick, helped by poor positioning from the UCC United keeper.

LC Services went off at the break the happier side - and UCC were ruing their missed opportunities to get a second goal. The second half was a physical battle, with both teams getting stuck in. It was tough but fair and there was very little between the teams, even though UCC marginally shaded things in terms of clear chances. However, it was LC Services who made teh breakthrough ten minutes from the end. A good through ball was met at the edge of the box with a fine strike that gave the UCC keeper, Romain Gosselin, no chance as it went in off the far post. UCC United, after their long lay-off over Christmas, had nothing left in the tank and could not engineer an equaliser.

It was a very promising performance by the College side and the game belied the difference in the two teams' relative league positions. In particular the UCC United back four had a great game with Rae playing really well in front of them in midfield. Ronan O'Dubhghaill and Dave Morrissey in central defence showed signs that they could form a great partnership at the heart of the UCC United defence.

UCC United: R. Gosselin; D, Jordan, G. Moloney, D. Morrissey, R. O'Dubhghaill; M. Rae, D. Kiely (S. Coffey), J. Walmsley, G. Kinsley; N. Browne, D. Soden.