Girls U12 Major (2013) - Clane United
A 2-2 draw was the least that the Naas girls’ U12 Major side deserved against Clane United at the Sports Centre on Sunday.
Naas dominated almost from start to finish but they were 2-0 behind with time running out after conceding twice to a much-improved Clane team.
The home side could have been forgiven for thinking that this just wasn’t their day. Instead, they pushed and pushed for the full hour and got their rewards with late goals from Ava Hartigan and Aoife Flanagan.
It was a brilliant way to finish and it followed on from the earlier game when the U12 Premier team fought back to claim a draw of their own when 5-3 down.
Every player played a huge part.
Lauren O’Reilly had to go long spells with little to do but Clane were always on the break and the Naas goalkeeper showed huge bravery and intelligence in coming out to shut down one-on-ones. There were some fine saves closer to her line too.
Alanna Fossland continued a great season at right-back and in the centre, Alex Brereton made a huge contribution at the back and then in the centre of midfield, while Abbygail O’Connor had stints at the back and further up where she made a crucial assist for the first Naas goal.
Ava Hartigan scored that opener from close range and she gave an all-round, end-to-end display from the midfield. So too did Evie Dodd whose work and trickery on the ball gave Clane all sorts of problems.
Captain Layla Drewitt showed some of her usual silky silks in midfield and further back while Lainey Bolger started on the right of midfield and then gave a brilliant display at right-back where she prevented at least three goalscoring chances.
Alana Leydon, as always, made huge contributions with and without the ball before coming off after the break with an injury, Cora Morgan never stopped working and supporting teammates on the ball, while Aoife Flanagan tested the Clane defence all day with her dribbling and her shooting.
Flanagan had a brilliant duel with the Clane goalkeeper and her goal, the equaliser, came with just minutes to play.
A brilliant team performance.
Lauren O’Reilly, Alana Fossland, Alex Brereton, Layla Drewitt, Lainey Bolger, Ava Hartigan, Alanna Leydon, Evie Dodd, Abbygail O’Connor, Cora Morgan, Aoife Flanagan.
