Boys U13 (2013) Premier - Kilcock Celtic
Naas travelled to play Kilcock on the Astro pitch in Bawnogue with the sides level on 17 points in the league. After the last minute heartbreak of last weekend in Castle Villa, Naas were keen to get back to winning ways. Both sides posed for a photo before the game in solidarity with the rest of the KDUL with both captains holding a poster promoting ‘Football is for Everyone’.
The game kicked off and it was the away side that completely controlled the first half. They mixed their play with some direct football and some nice passing. After 5 minutes Naas had a free kick on the edge of the Kilcock box when Hin Ngo forced the defender into a handball. Kian Shanaghy couldn’t convert the resulting free but came close. Just a minute later Peter McBride delivered a great ball from a free kick on the left and Kellum Finnegan came within inches of the lead for Naas but his volley just went wide of the far post.
Naas were the dominant side throughout most the first half with Kilcock rarely threatening the Naas penalty area. Just before the half time whistle, Hin Ngo was clean through on goal and went to dribble around the keeper when one v one but the covering defender got back to help the keeper smother. Those big chances missed would come back to haunt Naas.
Kilcock grew into the game in the second half and their passing was a lot slicker while Naas lost some of their own rhythm. It was looking like the game could be another 0-0 or 1-0 to either side with nothing in it.
Just 10 minutes into the second half came the pivotal moment of the game. Naas were in again after Jamie Dunphy clipped a ball over the top for Hin Ngo. The Naas number 9 raced clear but his first time finish narrowly missed the wrong side of the near post. Not 90 seconds later, Kilcock found themselves clean through after a defensive mix up and their striker finished with a lovely lob over the on rushing Finn Dudley.
Naas were visibly rattled and from then on they rushed and panicked every pass and tackle. With 8 minutes left on the clock Kilcock added a second with a cross from the left nodded in at the back post. It felt like a killer blow for Naas and their heads dropped. Kilcock added two more in the next three minutes with a penalty and some more defensive uncertainty and the game was gone for Naas.
Theres still 18 points for Naas to play for in the premier division so they will need to take the positives and try to extend them across the full 60 minutes of games.
They’ll have to get their heads up and get ready for a tricky cup game next Saturday away against Kill Celtic’s M1 team who have only lost 2 games this season.
