Boys U14 (2013) Premier - Athy Town
Naas AFC 5–0 Athy
Naas AFC made it back-to-back league wins with a convincing 5–0 victory over Athy, although the final scoreline probably doesn’t tell the full story of a game in which Naas had to remain patient before eventually making their dominance count.
Naas started brightly and controlled the game from the opening stages. There was plenty of attacking play down both sides, with the lads moving the ball well and repeatedly getting into dangerous areas.
The only thing missing was the goal.
Athy’s goalkeeper was in excellent form throughout the first half, producing a string of saves as Naas struggled to turn their possession and chances into a breakthrough.
Eventually, just before half-time, the pressure told.
GOAL! Naas AFC 1–0 Athy — Adam Conroy
Adam, who had come on for Hin, was quickest to react after a brilliant strike from Kellum Finnegan was parried by the Athy goalkeeper. Adam pounced on the rebound and finished to finally give Naas the lead their first-half performance deserved.
HT: Naas AFC 1–0 Athy
The message at half-time was simple: stay patient, get the ball down and keep trusting the way we want to play. Continue building from the back, work the ball through the phases and the opportunities would come.
The lads did exactly that.
GOAL! Naas AFC 2–0 Athy — Peter McBride Assist: Hin
Hin, who had come on down the left for Leo, found Peter and the captain made no mistake to give Naas some breathing room.
Senan was next to get himself on the scoresheet, continuing his excellent start to the season and stretching the Naas advantage to 3–0.
Then came arguably the move of the game.
GOAL! Naas AFC 4–0 Athy — Senan Smith Assist: Hin
The move started right back with the goalkeeper rolling the ball out to Max at right-back. Max found Jake, who moved it on to Charlie at centre-back. Charlie switched the play across to Kellum, who combined with Hin down the left.
Hin worked the ball into the box and Senan did the rest, producing a brilliant left-footed finish into the top corner.
It was an excellent team goal and exactly the type of football the lads had been encouraged to keep playing — patient build-up from the back, moving the opposition through the phases before finding the opening.
Naas weren’t finished yet.
GOAL! Naas AFC 5–0 Athy — Antoni Karpierz Assist: Leo Timmons
Leo provided the final ball and Antoni finished well to round off the scoring and complete another good afternoon for Naas.
FT: Naas AFC 5–0 Athy
We could certainly have played better at times, but it’s difficult to complain about a 5–0 victory.
The most pleasing aspect was the patience shown after a frustrating opening half. Rather than abandoning the game plan, the lads continued to get the ball down, build from the back and trust their football.
Five goals, a clean sheet and another three points.
Plenty still to work on, but another positive step forward. 🔵⚪
