CFAI Bob Eustace Cup Round 1

GRIFFITH COLLEGE 4-3 PEARSE COLLEGE

       Jesse Abana 32 mins         Conor Keeley OG 17 min

         Nasir Shuaibu 34 mins         Enock Odyuanya 65 min      

             Alex Duff peno 43 mins         Domnick Plunkett 78 min           

                                             Taha Rzaqi 66 mins

In the first round of the CFAI Bob Eustace Cup it was Griffith College who narrowly edged out neighbors Pearse College in a tight encounter at Crumlin United Astro.  Griffith College made numerous changes for this cup encounter and it was the host who started the better of the two sides.  A Jesse Agbana free kick was headed home by Conor Keeley only to be ruled out for offside, in what was the start of a mixed game by the Cabinteely centre half.

After this Pearse College started getting to grips with the game and a couple of minutes later saw the visitors take the lead. Enock Odyuanya went straight at the heart of the Griffith defense but saw his shot blocked.  However, it rebound of Conor Keeley who say the ball roll into the back of James Colliers goal.  After this both teams traded chances and altough Pearse could of been 2-0 up it was the host who got the next goal in this crucial game.  Jesse Agbana fired home from close range in the 32nd minute to put Griffith right back in contention.

Straight from the kick off saw Griffith win the ball back and set up and attack which resulted in another free kick.  This time a goal mouth scramble was tapped home by Nasir Shuaibu.  5 mins before half time saw another Jesse Agbana free kick headed home once again by Griffith captain Conor Keeley and once again to be ruled out for offside, this one definitely looked a lot closer.

As the first half was drawing to a close, Griffith was giving a great opportunity to take a two goal lead in to half time.  Nasir Shuaibu was taking down inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.  Despite playing well to date, Alex Duff was still without a goal this season but kept his cool to slot the ball straight down the middle to hand Griffith a 3-1 half time lead.

The second half started off and the early moments saw the visitors with a lot of possession but not really troubling James Colliers net.  That was until the 65 minute when Enock Odyuanya had plenty of time to control the ball inside the penalty area and a beautiful back-heel goal saw the game right back in the balance.

That was for a minute or so anyway because straight from the kick a direct ball over the top saw Taha Rzaqi control and under no pressure buried the ball into the back of the Pearse net.  Keeley looked like making up for his earlier OG when he ventured out from his center back position before unleashing a might strike which struck the crossbar and bounced down off the line.  The referee deemed it no goal and the score-line remained 4-2.

Pearse College started to play the better football at this stage and once again reduced the deficit to the minimum in the 78 min when Enock Odyuanya was pulled down on the edge of the box by Rafael Izarra.  Domnick Plunkett hit and cracker which passed everyone in the box and left Griffith keeper Collier hopeless. 

This gave the visitors all the hope they needed as they started throwing everything at the hosts in search of a late equalizer and try and force extra time.  They did have the ball in the back off the net however when a high ball was fumbled by the Griffith no.1. Enock Odyuanya followed up and headed into the open net only to be ruled out for offside.

The last change once again fell to the visitors in the 88 minute when a beautiful delivery from left back Domnick Plunkett placed the ball on the head of a Pearse attacker only to see his header expertly pushed around the post by Collier making up for his earlier mistake.  

The full time whistle sounded to relief from the Griffith players and management as they advance to the second round of the cup.  Pearse College now go into the shield competition and if they can keep up performances like yesterday could give the shield a good run.

Griffith College Team:
James Collier, Rafael Izarra, Conor Keeley, Bjornar Maehre, Hugo Faughnan, Nasir Shuaibu, Dimitru Vitiziu, Robin Oehninger, Taha Rzaqi, Jesse Agbana, Alex Duff.  Subs Noel Byrne, Thomas Ruhland, Jack Kinsella, Sebastian Endriss (all subs used)