VEC FC v St. Mary’s (Sandyford) FC

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VEC’s unbeaten start to the campaign continued as St. Mary’s held out for a hard fought point in Terenure on Saturday morning.
The sides are familiar with each other after both were promoted from Division 2 last season, with St. Mary’s clinching the title.
However, it was the home side who came out of the traps quickly in this one, but with St. Mary’s staying compact and organised VEC were left frustrated during the early exchanges, looking light on ideas.
As the half progressed however, we began to look more threatening with Pat Meghen coming closest as he was denied at point blank range by the Mary’s keeper.
The visitors had battled ferociously in the first half and were a constant concern on the counter attack but the 2nd half of the game saw things opening up as concentration levels dipped.
VEC began to pose a real threat – Joey Byrne rattling the crossbar from close range (pic.) followed by huge shouts for a VEC penalty also being waved away shortly after. Having twice been denied by the woodwork and the Mary’s keeper proving himself the equal of most attempts on goal, we found ourselves under a 10-minute period of pressure as Mary’s bombarded the box with dangerous long throw after long throw. We survived however, and regained momentum but ultimately ran out of time as the ref blew for 90mins in what was a great battle and a well deserved point for each side.