Boys U13 (2013) Premier - Kilcullen AFC
A Saturday afternoon kick off for the third meeting of these two sides this season. The game took place on the Cross & Passion School pitch and conditions under foot were amongst the one of worst we have seen. A strong breeze favoured Naas in the first half and it was an advantage given the direct nature of the game.
Within 90 seconds Naas’ number 9 Hin Ngo pressured the Kilcullen keeper into a mistake but the chance went without a strike on goal. The tone was set for the first half though. Naas had all the territory with shots and corners but were missing the killer instinct in the final third.
With 18 minutes on the clock Hin Ngo chased down a lost cause yet again and pressured the Kilcullen keeper into an error. He laid the ball back to Kellum Finnegan in the right wing position who crossed well, Kilcullen half cleared and Peter McBride powered a header into the bottom corner to give Naas a well deserved lead.
Naas continued their territorial domination and more chances came and went. Just before half time Naas got their second. Max Kennedy went direct from right back and found Mikey Danu who had a great first touch and released Frankie O’Leary playing in the number 10 position. Frankie slid the ball through for Hin Ngo who found the bottom corner.
Naas would add a third before the break. Frankie O’Leary was felled in the attacking third. Christopher Sheridan stepped up and found the net with a high shot for his third goal of the season from left back.
Naas knew the second half would be very difficult though with the wind in their faces and a soft bobbly pitch. Within 4 minutes of the restart a long ball over the top was finished to the net by the Kilcullen winger. Within 5 minutes of that Kilcullen had a second with a very similar goal but this time the Kilcullen number 9 with the finish. In between those goals Naas had a big chance cleared off the line that would have settled the visitors down had they taken it.
Naas weathered the storm and kept trying to play their own game. On 47 minutes Peter McBride released Hin Ngo down the right channel and as he broke into the box he was fouled for a clear penalty. Captain Jamie Dunphy stepped up and struck the penalty in off the post.
On 55 minutes Naas had a chance to put the game to bed after great work again by Hin Ngo down the right, he pulled the ball back across goal but as Peter McBride went to finish the ball took a huge bobble and the shot went wide. Moments later Mikey Danu had another good chance but couldn’t hit the target. Naas should have been out of sight.
Just a couple of minutes later Kilcullen were awarded a penalty and their number 9 slotted the spot kick. Two minutes later Kilcullen had their equaliser when a cross from the left found its way across the 6 yard box and was finished to the net.
Credit to the Naas lads, they didn’t drop their heads but instead bombed forward to try regain the lead. In a wave of attacks in injury time Hin Ngo crossed from the right side of the box and the Kilcullen keeper spilled the ball where Peter McBride ran on to finish to the net.
While it was an entertaining finish for spectators it wasn’t good for the Naas coaches heart but Naas ground out the win that they deserved.
Next up for Naas is a top of the table clash with Castle Villa next Saturday morning in Castledermot.
YouTube link to the full game here:
