Boys U13 (2013) Premier - Castle Villa
Caution - report peppered with biased bitterness đ
On a lovely sunny morning the pitch in Castledermot was in perfect condition for this top of the table clash. If only the same could be said for the referee. Anyone whoâs had a trip to play in the south of the county will know the Naas woes when they hear the name Gerry Solan.
Both teams normally play in all blue so the home team changed to their white kit. Naas settled into the game well and had what breeze there was at their backs in the opening half. Kellum Finnegan had some early joy down the Naas right and delivered some good balls into the Villa box but Naas couldnât capitalise. Again Hin Ngo was causing the Villa defence problems with his tireless running, supported by Frankie OâLeary and Peter McBride as Naas tried to press the hosts high up the pitch.
Sean Hayden and Callum Hartigan kept control of the midfield while the game itself was primarily a long ball effort by Castle Villa. They went long with every possession. Their keeper took every set piece, even coming to take free kicks in the attacking half as they loaded the Naas box. It was like being back in the 1980âs at times. Visiting fans were heard making comparisons with a visit to Stoke on a cold Tuesday in November. That said, Kian Shanaghy and Jamie Dunphy were rock solid at the heart of the Naas defence with Max Kennedy and Chris Sheridan at full backs weighing with their own aerial clearances.
As the half wore on Naas started to pass the ball better and in a couple of occasions broke through but chances were smothered by the six foot Villa keeper who was by far their biggest asset with his overall presence and massive right boot. Naas could have had a penalty and on another day with another referee they would have as Hin Ngo was pulled to the ground as he was about to shoot.
Into the second half and the aerial bombardment just got larger and longer as the home side had the breeze. Naas made some changes with Mikey Danu. Adam Conroy and Charlie OâConnor giving some fresh legs. It was more of the same with Naas creating all the chances but unable to beat the keeper.
Jason Gleeson and Oscar Ross entered the frey to try help the Naas cause but as the game entered the last couple of minutes a long ball down the Castle Villa right broke to their winger who crossed high to the back post where Villa had overloaded and their left winger, who looked well offside, finished to the net past Finn Dudley, who could do nothing about it. Heartbreak for Naas who were caught with a sucker punch as it was the home teamâs first shot on target in the game. Another classic decision by a referee who makes these calls from his perch in the centre circle.
Castle Villa ran down the clock and Naas were out of ideas. It was a tough defeat to take for the Naas lads and with other results going their way gives Castle Villa a 5 point lead on the chasing pack in the premier division. Naas will see it as a âwhat could have beenâ moment as they could have gone top with a win but now find themselves in fourth.
Naas will need to take the positives from an unlucky but dominant performance against the league leaders as they make the trip to Bawnogue to play a strong Kilcock Celtic team next Saturday.
