Boys U12 (2014) Major - Athy Town AFC

The Naas AFC U12’s Major team travelled to Athy Tuesday evening for a late kick off. On the back of their heroics against Castle Villa on Saturday, Naas were looking to build on their momentum and were raring to go. It didn’t take long, Naas were on the attack from the off, transitioning the ball well and were putting Athy under pressure. Naas’s efforts paid off with Jason playing a great ball in and Bobby Piggot bagging the first GOAL (the first of his Hat rick) within 2 mins. Naas’s link up play was in full flight, their movement to create space was pulling Athy is all directions and they created several opportunities. On 10 mins, 2-nil, a GOAL from Matthew Walsh which was assisted by Bobby P. A phase of 10+ passes started by Seb in the back line, working it through midfield, onto the wings, to the forwards and back, created the space for Matthew who took it brilliantly giving the keeper no chance. Athy tried to rally but any progress they made into the final third was swiftly sniffed out by the dynamic trio of Seb, Darragh P and Alex K and our goalkeeper Evan (a newly crowned GAA County Champion) looked sharp on the line. Naas went into the hydration break, 2 nil up and Athy looking for answers but shortly after the game commenced Naas went 3-nil up, another GOAL by Matthew, who won the ball in the middle of the park, he beat his man and ran through on goal dinking the keeper. Naas were flying high at this point.

The second half, soon to be known in folklore as “THE BOBBY SHOW”. Athy started the half well and had a good spell, they retained the ball well and were finding space in our final third. They were probing well looking for weakness and had Naas scampering at times but Naas back line dealt with this well and did not concede. As Naas started to get a bit more of a foothold on the game, the opportunities started to come. Eoghan, Alex S and James all started to move the ball well and carve out opportunities. Naas GOAL, 4-nil, ball played forward with pace which Bobby held up brilliantly, holding off the defender he laid the ball off to James (who was meant to be playing right back at this stage) ran through the midfield like a steam train and dispatched his shot with perfection giving the Athy keeper no chance. Naas continued to apply pressure with GOAL 5 coming off the back of some brilliant play from Alex S in the middle, skipped his midfield marker and played a sumptuous pass splitting the back line for an onrushing Bobby P to keep his cool and slot it home. Bobby capped off his day with his 3rd GOAL, Naas 6-nil, Bobby won the ball, did brilliantly to held off the defender and dispatched with ease. I am pretty sure Bobby’s eyes were closed at that time, he was channelling some serious Jedi force this game but an excellent finish and a well-earned hat trick.

Naas are starting to show some real cutting edge and cohesiveness to their play. Their willingness to help their teammates, to pass and move to carve out opportunities, their ability to defend like their lives depend on it is a huge positive. If we keep progressing as we are, this Naas team will be a force to be reckoned with.