Boys U12 (2014) Red - Kildare Town AFC
Fresh off the back of last week’s epic last minute victory over Arlington, the lads were on the road again for another away day in Kildare Town.
The sides didnt meet last season but previous games have always been tight with Naas getting the upper hand last time out in a 7 a side setting. Today’s tie was to be no different in the hot midday sun and the lads were happy to welcome Finn, Fionn and Sebastian from the U11s as reinforcements for the day.
Kildare Town started the better and enjoyed a constant period of pressure on the Naas goal. The tricky right winger giving Matthew plenty to think about in the opening exchanges while Murilo, deputising for Sam in the central position, & John had to be alert to block some early chances. Kildare eventually got their breakthrough after about 10 mins when a mix up at the back combined with a bit of a deflection saw the ball float up and then back down into the goal!
Naas began to relax after this with Leo enjoying some good possession out on the right wing & his electric pace a constant threat. Eoin and Adi battled hard in the centre while Geo also worked hard on the left wing. Despite this, we struggled to create any clear cut chances for Sean up top.
Kildare had chances to extend their lead but good defending and excellent goalkeeping kept the deficit to one. The half time water break came and went and allowed Naas bring in Alfie, Finn, Fionn and Sebastien & really start applying some pressure of our own. Hard work and pressure led to a long range free kick just inside the Kildare half. Eoin, who was about to come off for a quick rest, stepped up to take thr kick sending it high into the air and then down into the net; 1-1 game on.
The remainder of the half was evenly balanced with both sides rotating in an effort to manage fatigue and minutes. With minutes (maybe even seconds) of the first half left, Kildare took full advantage of some sloppy defending to go back in front with the referee blowing for half time shortly thereafter.
Naas decided to go full pelt to start the second half and this decision paid off when Sebastian Kinlon notched 2 goals in quick succession within 5 minutes of the restart.
The first was a well taken finish following a pass into space. The second was a wonderful individual effort where he rounded the keeper and found the net. Naas had stunned Kildare to start the second half & they struggled to find an answer to Sebastian’s pace and skill eventually resorted to some cheap fouls and pushing to try and take the sting out of his game.
Naas battled on, again rotating frequently throughout the half, and were u lucky not to extend their lead when Fionn created an excellent opportunity for Geo on the far post only for the goalkeeper to demonstrate cat like reflexes and pluck it off his toe!
Naas’ back 4 remained solid and consistent throughout the second half. Matthew and John both putting in assured performances and Murilo dogged in the centre marshalling the line. Conall didnt have as much to do in second half but saved well from a 1v1 before giving me a mild heart attack when a lofting effort sailed just over the cross bar.
In the absence of another goal, Kildare were never out of it and they eventually found themselves level when they reacted quickest to a loose ball in midfield and sent the forward through 1v1. While there may have been a hint of offside about it, the forward made no mistake this time in sliding the ball past the unlucky Conall in goal.
Neither side were able to find a winner in the last 5-6 mins and a draw was probably a fair result on the day. Agin, you couldnt fault any of the lads’ effort and commitment, it was small margins in the end - the type of small margins we will continue to work hard on at training!
Special thanks to the lads playing up from the U11s and thanks as always to the parents who are our biggest supporters on the line every week! We can all enjoy a well deserved rest next weekend with a break in fixtures.
