Boys U12 (2014) Red - Arlington AFC
The lads welcomed Arlington AFC to Naas hoping to revive their season after a few challenging weeks.
A strong group of 10 were available on the day with the traditional holiday season still impacting availability on a warm morning.
Adi captained the side with Conall returning in goals following his midweek getaway. Likewise, Matthew went straight back into the team having missed the mid week game due to a camp in Dublin!
Arlington probably started the better finding space and opportunity down the flanks though the lads did settle and got into the game. Jamie and Murilo worked hard in midfield while Eoin ran endlessly up front.
John and Geo found some space out on the wings and Sam marshalled the defensive line with great diligence.
The lads worked hard to create chances and Sean was unlucky not to notch when he came on mid way through the first half!
At the other end Conall was sublime in stopping a certain goal with a point blank save. He then saved well from a dangerous free kick to ensure the sides ended the first half level at 0-0.
The coaches tinkered things at HT in an effort to start the second half with a bang & this tinkering looked to have worked when the lads took the lead shortly after the restart.
Adi will claim it though credit must also go to Eoin and Murilo who did well to create the chance following a couple of corners on the near side. Adi was in the right place at the right time to turn it in on the far post in what was his 2nd goal against this opposition at home.
The lead gave the lads the confidence to kick on and they should have doubled their lead minutes later. Jamie did tremendous work down the left side which saw him burst into the box & send a delicious pass across the face of the goal. Under pressure from the defender, Sean put his effort wide.
Arlington rallied back following the near miss and found some space & opportunity down the flanks. Their efforts were eventually rewarded when the equalised following a break down in communication and mix up in the Naas back line.
With that equaliser came a shift in momentum as Arlington pinned the lads in their own half with both Matthew and John under pressure. This period of pressure saw Arlington win a penalty which they duly converted though Conall was unlucky having guessed right and got hands to the ball.
The lads battled back with Jamie and Eoin both busy in the centre of the park. Jamie posed a massive threat on the left wing getting the better of his man on several occasions and coming agonisingly close to a goal!
At the other end, Murilo, who had moved into the centre half role, was absolutely superb in chasing down his man and clearing for a corner following a ball over the top! An unbelievable challenge with the game still in the balance.
Alas, Arlington wrapped the game up with about 7 mins to go when their front man lofted one in from the edge of the penalty area following some good work down our right side. A goal worthy of settling any game….
Despite some back and forth in the latter stages of the game, there was to be no comeback or even a consolation goal. The full time whistle confirmed the win for Arlington with the lads left wondering what more they could do.
The post match chat and analysis read much like many others this season. Exceptional effort all round, some excellent passages of play but struggling to get the bit of luck needed to get games over the line.
