Rovers 0 GKS Belchatow 0

Hoops draw second Polish friendly

In the spectacular setting of the Gran Hotel Benahavis, situated in the mountains above Marbella, the Hoops played out a fairly competitive scoreless draw with the Polish League runners-up from last season. The game was a little physical with Daragh Maguire taking an early knock in a challenge with the opposition 'keeper. A good move from Rovers in the 11th minute saw Rice and O'Brien combine but the cross was just ahead of Doyle.

Barry Murphy was quick off his line to cut out a through ball on 23 minutes and just two minutes later Danny O'Connor almost put Doyle in on goal. O'Connor found Doyle in the box on 27 minutes but two defenders got across to block. Ger O'Brien was then on hand to block a dangerous cross at the other end.

A Dessie Baker shot from outside the box in the 32nd minute didn't really trouble the 'keeper. With two minutes remaining McGill found Baker at the edge of the box but his curling effort was off-target. Stephen Rice was harshly adjudged to have committed a foul just outside the area right at the break but the kick was blasted off the Rovers defensive wall.

The Hoops best chance came in the 49th minute when Doyle did well to set up Baker at an angle but the Polish 'keeper parried away his shot. A shot from distance in the 53rd minute troubled Murphy a little but went just wide. John Martin and Dave Tyrell were introduced and they combined in the 66th minute to almost set up fellow substitute Creevy.

Rovers recovered from a defensive mistake in the 73rd minute and two minutes later Rice pushed forward and tried to find Mulhall in the box but the 'keeper cut out the cross. In the 79th minute a Tyrell free-kick was cleared just as it looked like Maguire would get a header on goal.

Belchatow only really worried the Hoops defence in the last five minutes of the game. Ferguson got a vital foot to the ball to deny a shot on goal and with three minutes remaining the Polish side had a good call for a penalty after some sloppy defending. Ger O'Brien was then alert to make vital blocks twice in the last two minutes. All in all a good workout for Rovers and a nice trip for the 30 or so Hoops fans present.

Line-Out

1 Barry Murphy
2 Ger O'Brien
3 Pat Flynn
4 Daragh Maguire
5 Barry Ferguson
6 Danny O'Connor
7 Eric McGill
8 Stephen Rice
9 Eoin Doyle
10 Dessie Baker
11 Sean O'Connor


Substitutes Used:

13 Chris Mulhall for Baker 72'
14 John Martin for Mc Gill 52'
15 Dave Tyrell for D.O'Connor 59'
16 Stephen O'Brien
17 Robbie Creevy for Doyle 64'