Albion slumped to their 2nd pre season defeat in 2 days after a lack lustre first half performance saw them 2-0 down at half time. They started quite lively moving the ball around and using space quite well. Though slight push in the back led to them going 1-0 down after Declan Murray was given a nudge to make him miss a clearance. Murray soon got a chance to revive Albion as Martin El-sahen was taken down in the area after some great link up play with Conan Dillon & Noel Twomey. Murray struck the ball down the middle but was unlucky to hit the underside of the cross bar and the ball was cleared. Leeview went on top after this and found huge areas of space to play the ball with ease. This led to their 2nd goal after a scuppered clearance attempt left their winger with nothing to do but head to the corner. Albion had a few chances to score with Noel Twomey & Martin El-sahen coming very close.
The second half was a much better attempt by Albion and they soon found themselves back in the game when Conan Dillon made a solo effort count and finished well to bring the score back to 2-1. Timmy Harrington was looking lively up front and was unfortunate not to find the net on more than one occasion. Though Leeview broke from a counter to make it 3-1 and all but kill the game. Albion were close again when El-sahen backhealed to Martin Ryan whos shot was deflected rolled to the keepers hands. But a clear offside by yards was ruled onside by the ref and Albion found themselves 4-1 down. 2 minutes later Darren Daly scored to make it 4-2, though with only one boot on!
A good second half performace, some tired legs from the game vs Mayfield just 48 hours earlier and a rusty first half cost Albion. Good performances from Martin El-sahen, Conan Dillon, Noel Twomey, Tim Harrington & John Hipwell were all points to be positive about.
Next friendly is Friday 29th July at Lilly when an Albion XI play another Albion XI.
Team: Michael Walsh GK, Ger O’Connell RB (Jody Mac ’55), Colum Walsh LB, Colm O’Donovan CD, Declan Murray CD, Timmy Harrington RW, Noel Twomey LW (Martin Ryan ’75), Jason O’Riordan CM (Darren Daly ’60), Conan Dillon CM, John Hipwell CAM, Martin El-Sahen CF.
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