Four nil win for Rea over De Blokkers to cap off a memorable weekend in Rea

Rearcross welcomed Dutch side De Blokkers to Rearcross FC Grounds last Saturday. Conditions were perfect for the game as the Rea pitch was looking pristine in the warm sunshine. It was agreed beforehand by both sets of management that the game would consist of 3 sets of 30-minute periods. The opening 30 minutes was played at a frantic pace. The Dutch side started the brighter and were moving the ball well through the lines without creating any clear-cut opportunities. With 10 minutes gone Rea started to get to grips with the game and found themselves 1 nil up. Some good play from Oisin Kelly who slipped a lovely through ball to James Deegan whose 1st time strike caught the keeper on the hop. With their tails up it was 2 nil soon after. Following a quick throw in from Eamon Devitt, he found James Deegan on the edge of the box. James beat his marker and fired a pin point cross into the area for Rob Harrington who got ahead of his man to flick a header into the corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. The 3rd goal soon followed for Rea as Oisin Kelly picked up the ball on the wing and beat his marker, he was just about to unleash a shot on goal but was brought down for a penalty which Michael O Gorman duly dispatched on the 20-minute mark. Credit to De Blokkers though as they piled on the pressure for the final 10 minutes of the half looking for a goal, but the back four of Rea, Callum Wallace, Willie Mackey, Philly Deegan and Eamon Devitt seemed to be always in the right place at the right time with some great last ditch defending to ensure a 3-nil lead at the break.
Both sides made changes at the break with Rea starting a fresh 11 for the 2nd period. Chances in this half were few. However, the Dutch side did have the better of play but the Rea defense of Paul Ryan, Eamon Wade, Paul Carey and Ger Nolan stood firm. Brian Hammersley in the Rea goal was called into action on a few occasions as he pulled off some great saves. Rea did have a few counter attacks with Colm Carey who was dangerous on the wing, also Eoghan Kavanagh who was making his debut for Rea nearly found himself one on one with the keeper only for some last ditch defending. The half was slightly marred by a shoulder injury to the De Blokkers winger Milo Lensen which forced him off. We wish him a speedy recovery.
The final 30 minutes saw Rea restore the 11 that had played the 1st half. The game again saw a similar pattern to the 1st half with De Blokkers having the majority of the possession but Rea were creating all the chances with the dangerous duo of Michael O Gorman and James Deegan not giving the defense a moments rest. With 15 minutes gone James Rochford found himself in some space in the middle of the field, he drove at the defense and unleashed a pile driver from 25 yards which was well saved by the keeper. Th icing was put on the cake for Rea with 5 minutes remaining. Some good play down the right-hand side saw Callum Wallace swing a cross into the back post. This was met by the onrushing Eamon Devitt whose 1st time finish saw the ball nestle into the corner of the net giving the keeper no chance much to the delight of the home support.

Big thanks to De Blokkers for making the journey to Rearcross to take part in the game which was played in a very sporting manner. Big thanks to Gary O Brien and the De Blokkers management team who provided matchday scarfs to all the Rearcross panel a very nice gesture.

Also a big thanks to McCormack’s, The Rising Sun, Kennedys of Rea and the Congo for hosting both sets of players over the 2 days for food and refreshments.
Best of luck to De Blokkers in their upcoming season.

Finally, thanks to match referee Rory Kennedy

Rearcross FC Team 1: Brian Hammersley, Callum Wallace, Philly Deegan, Willie Mackey, Eamonn Devitt, Robbie Harrington, Conor Nolan, James Rochford, Oisin Kelly, James Deegan, Michael O’Gorman(Capt)
Rearcross FC Team 2: Brian Hammersley, Paul Ryan, Eamonn Wade, Paul Carey, Eoghan Kavanagh, Ger Nolan, Max Carroll, Jayden Healy, Colm Carey, Willie Horrigan, Patrick Ryan, Felim Deegan
Team Management: Anthony Ryan, Eamonn Devitt, Robert Harrington

De Blokkers: Bas Van Der Louw, Gary O’Brien(Capt), Davy Van Der Meer, Mick Van Der Nat, Cees De Geus, Ayoub Salimi, Julian Runia, Stephen Browne, Daragh Keating, Barry Bakker, Wouter Wagenaar, Dennis Waersegers, Lars Oskam, Max Van Ginkel, Milo Lensen, Sander Van Den Berg, Aschwien Kandhai, Jassir El Guennouni, Rick Druijf, Daan Suierveld, Jelle Bloom
Team Management: Wali Ahmad, Jan Bakker, Jeroen Jansen, Jasper Verweij

Report by Robert Harrington

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