Boys U15 (2012) Major 1 - Kilcullen

Our first home game of the season saw us take on a Kilcullen side also looking for their first win and it turned out to be a close game. Much like last week, we started the game brightly with our midfield and forwards, playing the ball around nicely which led to half chances for both Frank and Luke. Kilcullen were always dangerous on the counter attack and when a long ball was played over the top Noah was out quickly to clear any danger. The breakthrough came on seven minutes when good play down the left involving Thady, Davin and Frank found Fionn N in the middle of the penalty area. Fionn‘s first two efforts were saved and blocked but his third was place out the keepers reacher and found the back of the net. Then, like last week, we stopped doing the simple things and started holding onto the for too long and our pace completely dropped off, this allowed Kilcullen to seize the initiative, some good defending by Andrew and Jayden prevented dangerous Kilcullen attacks from progressing and Noah than made two crucial saves when players made it through our defence and found themselves one on one. But after 25 minutes Kilcullen got the goal they deserved when another ball over the top put their centre forward through (with a suspicion of offside) and he found the back of the net. Noah was called on once again before the half was out to keep us level heading into the second half. At halftime we asked the lads up their game to start playing the way we knew they were capable of, and the response was immediate! A throw in our own defensive third went to Frank who after beating two players played a lovely ball through for Luke to latch onto, Luke held off two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable shot into roof of the net of. Both teams then played some lovely football and both had chances to score, for us Davin saw one shot drift wide and Luke hit the crossbar once again. Our defence was marshalled well by Dylan and Ezekiel and they thwarted the Kilcullen attack and when they did get past them Noah was once again in fine form. With 10 minutes left Naas were awarded a corner, Luke sent the ball in which bounced off a defender, who was trying to stop Louie from getting to it, into the back of his own net. The lads then saw out the final minutes of the match with Bobby breaking up play well and Sebastian and Rhys shutting down the Kilcullen back four at every opportunity. Player of the Match was Noah.