Boys U12 (2014) Red - Sallins Celtic
Fresh off the back of last week’s frustrating stalemate against Naas Utd, the team travelled to Sallins for another local derby in the Shield.
With the team already looking bare with so many away on (well deserved) holidays, the lads were dealt another blow just before kick off when word came through that we would have to start the game with just 8 players. Desperate efforts to recruit a 9th man were somewhat fruitful with the U10s agreeing to provide reinforcements once their game on the adjacent pitch was over (thanks Mick)
The team talk read something like a damage limitation exercise though the lads still believed they could get the job done.
Captain on the day, Matthew had one job ahead of kick off - to win the toss and allow us play with the wind in the first half. Naturally….he lost the battle and it looked like it might be a long day for the lads.
Thankfully that was to be the last of our bad luck with the lads springing to life right from the kick off. Despite a much changed starting 9, the lads settled well with Adi, Murilo & Logan sitting in front of Matthew in goals!
In the middle, Jamie, Eoin & Leo were under instruction to impose themselves on the game from the outset while Sean, the lone wolf up top, was asked to run and cause general mayhem for the Sallins defence.
After a couple of early efforts, it was a piece of individual magic from Jamie which saw him round the keeper and open the scoring - a goal which settled the nerves and set the team up well despite being a man down.
Shortly thereafter, Logan broke through and doubled the advantage following a terrific move where he overlapped Leo on the wing before breaking through and firing past the keeper!
It was Sean’s turn to find the net next when he beat his man to fire another past Conor, the helpless Sallins goalie!
At the other end, the lads didnt have it all their own way. Matthew was called into action several times making a number of clearances with his feet before an excellent 1 v1 save vs his neighbour Tadhg while the game was still in the balance!
A fourth goal soon followed for the lads when Leo did tremendously well to get a shot away following good work from Sean. Unfortunately for Conor in the Sallins goal, his initial save went up in the air before dropping into the goal.
The rest of the half was all Naas though Sallins’ talisman David did keep the defence on its toes with his electric pace and tricky feet. That said, the lad’s dominance allowed for some tinkering in terms of positioning & formation in an effort to save their legs and try a few different things! Score at half time was 4-0 to Naas.
The second half saw a few positional changes with Murilo taking over from Matthew in goals and a return to the original line up and positions.
Despite their emphatic first half performance, it was clear to see tiredness starting to set in for the lads as the second hand progressed though they stuck to the plan, which was to relax, pass the ball & try to ensure no early Sallins goals!
Eoin eventually added to the lead making it 5-0 after about 10 mins of the second half. The Sallins goalkeeper was kept busy and to his credit made a number of excellent saves to keep the score line down.
An inspired piece of coaching saw Adi and Sean switching positions shortly after that 5th goal. Adi soon found himself on the scoresheet too when he turned home a low cross from Leo to make it 6-0!
Sallins’ morning was soon to get worse when injury forced a couple of changes including their goalkeeper! At the other end, Murilo could have cracked out a deck chair such was his involvement in the game.
Smelling blood, Jamie added a second and then third goal for himself on the day to complete a first career hattrick! Eoin added another late on with a shot so powerful the net couldnt contain it!
In the end, it finished 9-0 to the 8 men of Naas in what was a truly scintillating performance. Waiting for them in the next round is a chance of revenge vs a Kilcock side who narrowly beat us in a pre season friendly some weeks ago. However, our immediate focus will be back to back away games vs Monasterevin (11/7) & Caragh (14/7).
Best wishes & safe travels to all the lads/families travelling over the next few weeks - we look forward to welcoming you back soon; enjoy the break! Thanks to all the lads and supporters for their efforts this morning particularly the 2 lads who put their hands up and volunteered to deputise for Conall in goals - with a shared clean sheet, the big man’ position could be under threat (lol).
*this review has been written from the best of my memory. I stand to be corrected on the running order of the goalscorers which is definitely a nice problem to have!
