Boys U15 (2011) Premier - Kilcock

Naas AFC 2 - Kilcock 3 after ET

Weather conditions improved considerably in advance of the 10am kick for what standard wise was the match of the season so far

Naas and Kilcock spent the initial 10 minutes sizing each other up with chances at a premium but Naas technically looking the stronger.

The team was dealt an early blow when Fabio Kolakowski who has been terrific all season asked to come off as he has been struggling with a bad cold all week. We wish him a speedy recovery

After 15 minutes an over hit ball that looked to be the Kilcock defenders all day was chased down by Conor Gillespie with real pace and tenacity. From nowhere he managed to touch the ball away from the defender while holding him of physically and then forcing the keeper into making a fine save which lead to a corner

Naas then had a 5 minute spell of sustained pressure which eventually ended with a ball breaking to Senan Browne who fired home a rocket of a finish of the underside of the crossbar to the net to give Naas a deserved lead. A typical clinical finish from a really classy player

The quality of the match for the remainder of the half remained very high. While Naas were on top Kilcock also forced Alec Walsh into making a very fine save to put the ball past his right hand post. Shortly after Kilcock had a shot hit the outside of our right hand post.

After this a beautifully worked move involving Dylan Hynes and Dara o Shea lead to Dara hitting the inside of the post and the ball agonisingly running past the opposite post. The quality of the move really deserved a goal on the verge of half time.

Very early in the second half Dylan Hynes played a lovely pass to Sean Cooke close to the end line. Sean cut back inside to make an angle to finish beautifully and put Naas 2-0 up.

Unfortunately after this for the only spell in the match Naas dropped their concentration levels in the next few minutes. Almost immediately after scoring the second goal a piece of defensive hesitation lead to an opportunity falling for the Kilcock striker to finish well to make it 2-1.

Within 90 seconds from almost the same position the same Kilcock striker again finished well to level at 2-2

Kilcock had real momentum at this point but the Naas lads rolled up their sleeves and battled their way back into the match collectively. Dara O’Shea and Dylan Hynes along with Jamie Byrnes and Henry Walsh in particular all performed very strongly throughout the match. Sean Durnin was also playing a real Captains role at the back in maintaining standards.

There was no drop in the quality of the match with both teams looking to create openings in the last 20 minutes with the match eventually ending 2-2.

Naas coming close with a fizzing Dara O’Shea shot just going past the post and Kilcock again hitting a post with a shot from distance being the closest either team came to a winner

During extra time Naas were the better side throughout but unfortunately with 5 minutes of the additional 20 to play Kilcock created their only real opportunity in this period. This lead to the same Kilcock striker when given the opportunity finish really well to complete his hat trick and make the score 3-2

Naas pressed for an equaliser with Kilcock now defending in numbers. Dylan Hynes and Dara O’Shea had shots blocked and in the last play a ball dropped for Conor Gillespie to have a snap shot which unfortunately sailed wide of the target

With that the referee who also deserves a mention for the quality of his overall performance blew the final whistle.

A very tough one for the lads to take as in lots of ways the team gave their best performance of the season so far. So many players in the group perfomed really well in this match

Thanks also for the excellent and very positive support the players received from all parents in attendance once again yesterday.

Its time to now focus again on the league where it is all to play for with important pre Christmas fixtures to come against Athy and Kilcullen in advance of the Winter break.

Best for Naas today

Dara O’Shea

Dylan Hynes

Henry Walsh

Jamie Byrnes

By Fran G.