Boys U13 (2013) Premier - Monasterevin AFC
On a perfect morning for football Naas travelled to Tougher Park to take on a strong Monasterevin team. It was a ground battle from the start with neither team backing out of a challenge.
With both sides trading tasty but fair tackles chances were at a premium. Naas looked threatening down the left with Chris Sheridan and Kellum Finnegan combining well. Monasterevin had a couple of attempts from free kicks from distance but found Finn Dudley’s hands as safe as ever.
The first half finished 0-0 with Naas having most of the possession and threat. Naas made a couple of changes at half time and one of those subs, Oscar Ross, broke the deadlock soon after the break. Kellum Finnegan, now on the right, broke down the inside right channel into the box and was felled by the Monasterevin centre half. The ref waved away the penalty appeals but the Naas attackers didn’t stop running and Finnegan crossed to Ross at the back post who finished to give Naas a deserved lead.
Both sides continued to trade big challenges and passed the ball well but chances remained hard to come by with both defences on top. Naas lead at the back by their Captain, Jamie Dunphy, who made a number of very important aerial clearances. Monasterevin did manage to equalise with 10 minutes to play through a long range effort into the roof of the net.
With the score at 1-1 Peter McBride and Mikey Danu tried to unlock a stubborn Monasterevin defence and did create a couple of chances for Rian White and Oscar Ross but the chances went begging. Finn Dudley then pulled off a full stretch fingertip save to deny Monasterevin the lead.
With only seconds remaining Naas would miss another very good chance to clinch the win but overall can’t complain about a draw. Other good performances for Naas from Charlie O’Connor, Sean Hayden as well as Max Kennedy and Jason Gleeson on the right side with Frankie O’Leary, Luke Hynan and Kian Shanaghy dangerous in attack.
A good week of training needed now as Naas prepare for an SFAI Cup round 2 clash anway from home against local nemesis Kill Celtic next weekend.
