Boys U17 (2009) Premier - Newbridge Utd
Naas AFC 4 – 1 Newbridge United
Naas AFC travelled to face their so-called “bogey team” knowing that nothing less than a win would keep them firmly in pole position for the league title — and they delivered in true Naas fashion with a performance full of energy, attacking intent and relentless pressure.
Naas started on the front foot from the very first whistle. Inside two minutes, Mattias Azzopardi went on a dazzling run but saw his effort fly just wide. A minute later Isaac Cramer tested the keeper, setting the tone for what was to come.
The early pressure continued. On 10 minutes, excellent work down the right from Sean Onwere saw his low cross find Huey Phelan at the back post, but his effort went over the bar. Cramer remained heavily involved, forcing another save on 13 minutes as his hold-up play began to bring others into the game.
Naas were knocking on the door. Onwere saw another shot saved, Phelan had a header cleared off the line, and Jake Dooley’s effort from the resulting corner went just over. It felt like a matter of time.
That breakthrough finally came on 25 minutes. Cramer’s relentless work won possession before Mattias Azzopardi produced a perfectly weighted pass for Phelan, who calmly slid the ball home to make it 1–0.
Naas continued to dominate, with Onwere and Phelan both going close again, but against the run of play Newbridge found an equaliser. A superb fingertip save from Alex Higgins initially denied them, but they capitalised from the resulting corner to make it 1–1.
The response from Naas was immediate and emphatic.
Liam O’Shea came close with a superb curling effort that was brilliantly saved, before Ryan Murtagh fired over. Then, just before half-time, the breakthrough came again — and it was that familiar combination. Phelan, the provider, delivered a perfectly timed pass into Conor Fagan, who finished clinically with his first touch to restore the lead at 2–1.
The second half followed a similar pattern — Naas in control and pushing for more.
Fagan was unlucky not to add a third on 50 minutes, his excellent first touch and volley well saved. Azzopardi headed wide from a corner moments later, and Murtagh’s driving run created another chance for Fagan, who narrowly missed the target.
With ten minutes remaining, Naas finally put the game beyond doubt. A brilliant cross-field ball from Phelan found Murtagh, who produced an excellent volleyed finish to make it 3–1.
And they weren’t finished yet.
Five minutes later, a clever run from Ollie Curran opened up the defence before he squared the ball across the box for Fagan to finish, sealing a commanding 4–1 victory.
This was a performance built on mental strength and character, especially after the drama of the previous week. Alex Higgins (and Pampa) made key saves when needed, while the defensive unit of Matthew Greene, Thady Giltrap, Jake Dooley and Dawid Kolter showed composure and intelligence throughout.
In midfield, Liam O’Shea drove the team forward with relentless energy and quality, while Jack Campbell showed real calmness and composure with his distribution, helping Naas control the tempo of the game.out wide Sean Onwere and Ryan Murtagh caused constant problems for the Newbridge defence. Huey Phelan once again pulled the strings creatively, adding to his growing assist tally, while Isaac Cramer’s strength and hold-up play were vital in bringing others into the attack. Crucially, Jake Pitt Byrne and Brody Power provided pace, strength and stability down the left Mattias Azzopardi pressed tirelessly and carried the ball with real intent, Ollie Curran provided uch need pace and strength to help manage the game out and up front Conor Fagan proved clinical once again.
With the title now firmly within reach, Naas continue to focus on the task ahead.
One game at a time. One goal in mind
