Boys U15 (2012) Major 2 - Suncroft
A difficult morning in Suncroft for Naas. With players missing this week we found ourselves having to shuffle a few players around and Fionn found himself in the goalkeeper position for the second time in 3 games.
With an inexperienced goalkeeper we highlighted the need to engage the opposition high up the pitch and not to invite pressure and to get on the front foot early on. We are always a better side when we get on the front foot.
The early signs were not positive. A low energy and disinterested warm up from a couple of players led to an early rethink to the starting eleven and the starting group transmitted this low energy to the pitch. Immediately we dropped 20 yards too deep and stayed there, inviting pressure and inevitably Suncroft took an easy lead. Hoping this would act as a wake up call and we would react as we often do the next couple of attacks were Naas attacks and we forced a couple of corners. In truth the attacks were the creation of individuals rather than any sustained attack and every clearance was picked up by a Suncroft jersey as we stood off them. Nicholas and Elijah worked hard in the middle but found little joy when winning possession with a lack of movement and options.
Suncroft were enjoying most of the possession and all of the territory and quickly identified the wide areas as the way to attack. Their right winger put a series of crosses into the box and static defending allowed runners to run off their shoulders leaving them unchallenged 6 yards out. 2-0, 3-0 and 4-0 followed all in a similar manner.
And yet the sideline felt some hope. There were moments in the half that suggested a better second half. Jamie made an excellent block and Konrad delivered a great crossfield ball to release Amine. Too few moments but a sliver of hope to take in to the second half.
The half time break gave us an opportunity to rectify a few of the problems and happily the second half was significantly better. The right winger who had been such a problem in the first half was negated as Conor and then Myles did the basics of defending and stopped the cross. From a series of crosses in the first half to one mishit into the side netting in the second. First problem solved. Then, Kyle, restored at centre forward started to hold the ball up and bring his midfield into the game. Now we were thirty yards up the pitch. Amine was outstanding picking up second balls and driving at the full back. This brought us on to the front foot. Elijah and Nicholas were running forward instead of back for the first time and we were able to convince the full backs to get forward in support. Jamie and Eoghan spent the second half in Suncroft territory and we began pushing them back. Cian was beginning to get time and space going towards the Suncroft full back.
Suncroft remained a threat on the break but unlike the first half Daniel, Cody and Konrad were on the front foot and winning their duels. Confidence was up all across the pitch. Fionn started to command his box and the Suncroft threat was much reduced.
Then came our best phase of the game. Kyle ran the channel well and won possession. He cut back inside and found Cian who transferred the ball to Nicholas who stepped past a stretched Suncroft defence and dispatched the ball to the back of the net. 4-1 and back in it. The next goal would be key.
The next chance was almost a carbon copy of the goal but from the other side. Again Kyle won the first ball and laid it off to Amine who moved the ball on to Elijah. This time the midfielder picked the pass as the option. A very good decision as he picked out Cian in space and he struck low to the keeper's right. The keeper made a great save and pushed the ball out and Suncroft scrambled the ball away. So close!
The next fifteen minutes brought no clear chances for either side. Amine and Matthew continued to threaten but couldn't quite find a killer cross or pass. Corners and throw ins forced rather than any clear openings.
Suncroft were the next to score. A routine attack turned into an opening as three defenders waited for someone else to engage and allowed the shot. Fionn had no chance with the well struck shot. 5-1 and any lingering hopes of a second comeback in a row were gone.
The 6th goal could probably be discounted in fairness. The old adage of playing to the whistle is drilled in to players from a young age and that's exactly what everyone did from both sides. A ball through the middle saw Fionn and the 2 centre backs in control of the situation. The Suncroft forward was chasing through but all four stopped at the sound of the whistle. Unfortunately the whistle came from a nearby Gaelic match and the Suncroft forward was the first to realise and finished the chance off calmly. The game ended a couple of minutes later with the ball at the edge of the Suncroft box, where we spent large portions of the second half and almost none of the first. A final score of 6-1 probably a little harsh but not very.
In the final analysis of the game there are plenty of positives to take. A strong second half performance showed we could compete with a team that are clearly playing a division or two below where they should be (7 wins in a row and regularly scoring 5 and 6 goals. 5 past second place Moone and 6 past 3rd place Naas in recent games and one or two other larger scorelines) but that's where we want to be;Testing ourselves against better opposition and learning what it takes to play at that level. We had good moments and some really good football but the challenge for us is to have more of these moments and play consistently aggressive, front foot and calm football. Midway through the second half we sustained an attack and forced a rushed clearance. Daniel stepped on to the ball, outmuscling the centre foward and then calmly transferred the ball to Amine. Everyone in the right areas of the pitch and being competitive. When we do this we look a great side. Our work now us to get all the players to buy into this in every moment. Onto next week and a shot at redemption at home against Newbridge United.
