Boys U13 (2013) Premier - Monasterevin AFC
Saturday morning served up a typical cup tie. Frantic and unpredictable. As usual always a tight affair between us and Monasterevin. Thankfully the game was played in Kerdiffstown so the heavy rain couldn’t stop the fixture for a second week.
Naas had much of the possession and probed the visitors. This pressure told and Naas took an early and deserved lead with a fine finish to the top corner by Kian Shanaghy after prolonged pressure on the Monasterevin goal.
On a rare breakaway the always threatening Monasterevin winger dribbled at the Naas defence and the referee bizarrely awarded a free kick for hand ball against Jamie Dunphy who pleaded that it had hit his stomach. Free kicks 20 yards from at this age level are very dangerous and Monasterevin took full advantage dispatching to the roof of the net. A few moments later they would have a second after a fine Finn Dudley save rebounded straight to a Monasterevin attacker who finished to the corner.
Naas found themselves behind at half time after controlling so much of the game and almost from the restart found themselves 3-1 down from a long ball upfield bounced between two Naas players and Monasterevin attacker volleyed high into the corner.
Naas gritted their teeth though and bounced straight back. A fine ball into the inside right channel from Peter McBride found Adam Conroy who got to the byline before squaring for Frankie O’Leary to finish low into the corner. Game on.
Naas pushed on and moved to a more attacking shape with more attacking players on the field. With these changes came more chances created but unfortunately either found the woodwork or the very impressive Monasterevin goalkeeper. Shots from Mikey Danu, Rian White, Kellum Finnegan and Peter McBride all went close.
With the clock ticking towards full time Kian Shanaghy rattled the crossbar with a free kick that bounced down onto the line and back into play only for a Monasterevin defender to find his own net with the clearance. No more than Naas deserved. Despite another couple of chances before full time the game headed for extra time.
Naas continued to threaten and chances from Mikey Danu and Adam Conroy went close. With just a couple of minutes to go Monasterevin hit Naas on the break and with a back post cross they found a close range finish.
Naas scrambled again and before full time found another great save and Luke Hynan hit the base of the post. It wasn’t to be but the Naas lads can hold their heads high. This heartbreak will make them stronger in the long run. The best way to get over it is to try win a top of the table Premier Division clash with Castle Villa next week.
