Boys U14 (2011) Major 1 - Kildare Town

As the sun rose on a new season this morning, Naas Major 1 hosted Kildare Town in an early kick off at Naas Sports Centre. A hard working Naas team imposed themselves on the visitors and a brilliantly angled finish into the bottom corner from striker Sean Savage gave them an early deserved lead after a cheeky back heeled effort from Eron Haliti was blocked. Naas began to control proceedings as Kildare struggled to create any real openings against a well marshalled defence ably protected by James Lynch and John Walsh in a defensive midfield role. A quicky taken corner by an alert Eron Haliti provided Rhys Wall with time to pick out a good cross and he duly delivered to the head of Sean Savage. A superb header from the striker made it 2-0. Kildare were on the ropes and they began to concede more chances where Niko Dziabor was unlucky with a long range effort. Half time: 2-0

As expected, Kildare Town rallied early in the second half and there was nothing that Alex Pelanne, making his debut for Naas in goals, could do about a shot from the edge of the box that went in off the post. However, Naas responded and began to push forward. A long ball over the top from Captain Millie O'Sullivan allowed David Beloiu to burst through and cap a fantastic performance with a well earned goal. 

Kildare battled back and never gave up the fight and forced Pelanne to make some important clearances before a great through ball split the Naas defence allowing them to make it 3-2 with a neat finish. 

Naas dug in and refused to buckle under the onslaught that followed and began to push forward where Sean Savage rose again to meet the ball with a great header that hit the base of the post before bouncing into the relieved keeper's hands. With some resolute defending from all over the pitch Naas stood strong and saw out a difficult last ten minutes to hold on for a well deserved win.

Naas had debutantes in Alex Pelanne, Sean Prout, Tadhg Kennedy and David Beloiu and welcomed back Thady Ryan to a squad that has high hopes for the coming season.