VEC battled back from 2 down to score through Alonso Houlihan … and then with all 11 players up for a corner in stoppage time, the ball was bundled over the line for a deserved ‘equaliser’ … except the referee was in a poor position to see the ‘goal’ and waved play on. The visitors immediately hit a shot from the half-way line and the ball entered the unguarded net as he blew the final whistle under controversial circumstances! A disappointing end to a very good game.

The score belies the effort put in by the team, as up to the 70th minute, this was a great contest against the runaway Division 2 league leaders, with Colm scoring VEC’s goal. Unfortunately, when Fairview then scored two quick-fire goals, we never recovered and they ran away comfortable winners.

A jubilant Conor O’Neill scores VEC’s second goal.