Boys U12 (2014) Major - Moone Celtic

Naas AFC Major's travelled to Moone reeling from their loss to Naas United the previous week but determined to get a good result to get their league back on track. At warm up, you could feel the Naas players were amped up and read to rock and they didn't disappoint, running in 8 goals in 50 minutes. An unreal team performance, boosting the U12 Major's tally to 54 Goals and 29 Assists. Well hold on to your knickers, here comes the match report.

From the off, Naas were on the attack, putting Moone under some serious pressure. Naas’ first shot on target came after just three minutes. Great play from the Naas defence, transitioning into midfield, they found Matthew in space. He beat his man and created an opening, but his effort just pulled left of the post. GOAL! Naas 0–1, 4 minutes — James, assisted by Matthew. The Naas midfield pairing of Jason and Max were already in full flow, dictating the tempo and controlling the game. They won possession and quickly played the ball out to the left wing, where Matthew attacked the Moone backline. He beat his man and whipped in a fantastic ball. James controlled it brilliantly, with the composure of Roberto Baggio from Italia 90. He rounded the keeper and hammered the ball into the net to give Naas an early lead. Just two minutes later, Naas could have doubled their advantage. Matthew was again causing havoc down the left, beating his man and delivering another dangerous ball into the box. James did his best to control it, but the ball came off his shin and went just wide. Naas were really hammering on the door. Moone began to see a little more possession, but Alex K, Darragh P and Bobby were alive to the danger, while Max and Jason worked tirelessly in midfield to break up any momentum Moone were trying to build. On 12 minutes, Naas produced almost a replica of their earlier chance. They did brilliantly to win the ball back from Moone and played Matthew into space. He found James, who forced the Moone keeper into a fine save. At 15 minutes, Moone won a corner on the left. The Naas defence dealt with it well, clearing the danger and finding Matthew on the left. He played the ball forward to Eoghan, who did brilliantly to beat two Moone players before slipping the ball through to James, who was charging forward at full speed. Moone, however, were alert to the danger and defended the threat really well. Naas were searching for a second, but Moone were showing no signs of rolling over. GOAL! Naas 0–2, 20 minutes — James, assisted by Bobby. Naas won a free kick, and Bobby stepped up to deliver a dangerous ball into the box. James was alert, attacked the space brilliantly and fired the ball home to double Naas’ advantage. Just two minutes later, Naas came agonisingly close to a third.

Matthew cut inside and found Connor. He controlled the ball superbly while holding off the Moone player, before returning it to Matthew. Matthew then produced a lovely piece of skill, nutmegging the onrushing Moone keeper. The ball looked destined for the net, but the Moone centre-back somehow managed to swipe it clear before it crossed the line. Moone’s heads didn’t drop, and they began putting together some good passages of play as they looked to build momentum. But the Naas midfield partnership of Seb, Alex S and Darragh O’T were alive to the danger and worked hard to keep Moone at bay. Just before half-time, I thought Darragh O’T was going to get himself on the scoresheet. More excellent work from the Naas midfield saw them win possession and release Darragh into space. He was through and had a real chance, but somehow the Moone defender managed to get across and clear the danger. What a return that would have been! Moone win a corner just before half time, but Seb wins the ball well. Half-time: Moone 0–2 Naas

The second half kicked off with exactly the same intensity, with Naas flying out of the blocks and showing no signs of taking their foot off the pedal. GOAL! Naas 0–3, 32 minutes — Matthew, assisted by Alex S. Naas attacked down the left and won a corner. Alex S stepped up and delivered a fantastic ball into the box, and Matthew rose highest to power home a bullet of a header, giving the keeper absolutely no chance. Just a minute later, Conor did brilliantly to chase down the Moone defence and force them into conceding another corner. Alex S once again stepped up and whipped in a dangerous delivery. Matthew was again on the end of it, but this time his header went just wide. A huge let-off for Moone. GOAL! Naas 0–4, 35 minutes — Matthew. An unbelievable goal, to say the least. Matthew picked up the ball on the left and went on a run that had the Moone defence chasing shadows. He beat three, maybe four Moone players before cutting in from the byline and driving the ball across goal and into the bottom-right corner. There was absolutely no stopping that one. Naas were cruising now, and it felt like it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened. And open they did. GOAL! Naas 0–5, 38 minutes — Eoghan, assisted by Matthew. Brilliant team play from Naas saw them work the ball intelligently into space before finding Eoghan. He did brilliantly to turn his man, kept his composure and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner. GOAL! Naas 0–6, 42 minutes — Darragh P, assisted by Seb. Seb was now absolutely dominating the midfield battles and decided he wasn't finished there. He broke up a Moone attack and charged forward, ducking and weaving through the midfield like Katie Taylor, before producing a sublime pass into the path of Darragh P. Darragh made no mistake, calmly finishing to make it 6–0. GOAL! Naas 0–7, 45 minutes — James, assisted by Seb. Seb was at it again. He drove through the Moone midfield and picked out James perfectly. James made no mistake, finishing clinically to complete his hat-trick and secure himself a well-earned match ball. GOAL! Naas 0–8, 49 minutes — Jason, assisted by Seb. And still they came. Jason showed real composure for the eighth. Receiving the ball with the Moone keeper charging towards him, he kept his head, stayed calm under pressure and slotted the ball home to make it 8–0. An unbelievable performance from Naas and our highest scoreline to date. But more than the scoreline, this performance showcased exactly what this team is capable of. They bounced back, worked incredibly hard for each other and kept their intensity right until the final whistle. A fantastic team performance and a thoroughly deserved win. 👏⚽