Boys U16 (2010) Premier - Newbridge Utd
Naas AFC U16s Turn It On After Slow Start to Overpower Newbridge Utd
Naas AFC U16s ran out convincing winners against Newbridge United in a game of two very different halves, eventually showcasing the quality that has them sitting second in the table.
The match kicked off at 10am, but it was clear early on that Naas hadn’t quite woken up. The opening 20 minutes were well below the standards we expect: passing was sloppy, tempo was flat, and Newbridge were allowed far too much encouragement. The ultras on the sideline were getting restless, and rightly so.
Newbridge capitalised on Naas’s lethargic start with a soft opening goal from a corner. Poor defending allowed a Newbridge player a simple tap-in, and Naas found themselves trailing without having laid a glove on the game.
Changes were needed, and they came after 25 minutes with the introduction of Evan Malone and Fred Cowdell, along with some positional reshuffling. The impact was immediate. Naas began to move the ball with purpose and finally started to look like themselves.
The equaliser arrived courtesy of Max Galvin, who scored directly from a corner. His delivery was a constant source of danger all morning, and this one flew straight in to level the game.
Sean Stafford hit the post soon after, when he ghosted into the box and hit a first time volley, from a Jack O brien cross, which came back off the post.
Naas then began to dominate the middle of the park, with Sean Stafford and Matthew McCarthy excellent throughout. Their control and passing allowed Naas to build attacks properly, and it was from their good work that the captain stepped up. James Collins picked up the ball, carried past two defenders, and unleashed a superb low drive from 30 yards into the bottom corner. After a couple of earlier sighters, this time there was no mistake.
Despite the turnaround, the Naas management were far from happy at half-time, knowing there was much more to come.
The second half was a completely different story. Naas upped the tempo, moved the ball quicker, and played on the front foot. When we play like that, we look a very good side.
The third goal arrived just five minutes after the restart. Daniel Oke played a quality ball into Evan Malone, who slipped in the speedster Jack O’Brien. Jack showed great composure to finish despite the keeper’s best efforts. His pace and direct running caused Newbridge constant problems all game.
Naas created chance after chance, with five or six excellent opportunities denied by a Newbridge goalkeeper who kept the scoreline respectable with a series of outstanding saves. Jack O’Brien won a penalty after another driving run and stepped up himself, striking it well, only for the keeper to pull off an unbelievable save.
Naas kept pushing, and the fourth goal was the standout moment of the match. Brilliant combination play down the left involving Conor Murtagh, Cian Leonard and Jack O’Brien ended with Jack feeding James Collins. The captain then clipped a magic ball to the back post, where Evan Malone rose to power home a superb header.
The fifth followed soon after. Jack O’Brien again made hay down the left, beat the centre-half near the byline, and squared an unselfish pass across the box for Evan Malone to tap in his second of the game.
Naas could easily have added several more. Matthew McCarthy went close with a lovely shot on the turn that just cleared the bar, while Cormac Donegan was already wheeling away in celebration before the Newbridge keeper somehow pushed his effort onto the post. Another five goals would not have flattered Naas.
With a few minutes remaining and Naas pushing high, Newbridge grabbed a consolation goal — a fine 30-yard strike that beat Alec Walsh — but it did little to dampen a dominant display.
The final whistle confirmed a strong win that lifts Naas to second in the table. For around 40 minutes, Naas played some lovely football, though the search continues for a complete 80-minute performance this season.
All the lads played very well, but standout performances came from Sean, Matthew and James in midfield, Jack O’Brien up top, and Dan and Ben in the heart of defence. Fred and Evan made a huge impact off the bench.
A slow start, but a powerful reminder of what this Naas AFC U16 side is capable of when they turn it on. 💙⚽
