Boys U18 (2007) Major - Sallins Celtic
18s Battle To Draw In Local Derby
The u18s returned home to Naas Sports Centre after a dominant win last weekend to play local rivals Sallins Celtic with a 10am kick off.
Naas started the game at a canter and immediately set about penning Sallins into their own half and after 5 minutes Naas would see 2 great scoring chances from Leo Ahern come and go however on the 8th minute Naas would have the lead after some good build up play down the right from Adam Geoghegan would find Tommy Carey in space on the edge of the Sallins area who delivered a fine cross onto the head of Dylan Hand to give Naas a deserved lead,
Sallins didn't let this hamper their spirits though and after a thunderous long ball from their keeper found the Naas defence scrambling to deal with it, they would have their equaliser with a fine finish from their front man. Naas still held the upper hand and continued to attack and were rewarded with their 2nd on the 22nd minute after a well worked corner saw Ryan Gillane react quickest to give Naas back the lead,
Yet again Sallins didn't let their heads drop and their game plan of the long ball from their keeper right on top of the Naas defence was proving fruitful as they continued to cause problems, Sallins would soon find themselves level again, after some silly play from Ryan Gillane led to a foul in the box, Sallins made no mistake from the spot. With 35 minutes played Sallins now took control of the game and continued to pump the ball long from their goal kicks and minutes before half time they would get their just reward as they opened up the Naas defence once again to fire home their 3rd and ensure they went into the break with a 3-2 lead.
Naas began the second half brightly and with a small tactical tweak they once again took control of the game and went in search of the equaliser, Sallins however we're happy to sit in and allow Naas dictate things and for long periods frustrated the Naas lads who couldn't find a way through a determined Sallins outfit, As time ticked away Naas continued to be frustrated with Sallins who now had reverted to running down the clock whenever the opportunity arose but Naas rallied and kept to their task of finding an equaliser and on the 80th minute would finally get the equaliser they deserved, some good passing play down the left wing saw Jake Kelly pick the ball up and drive into the Sallins box, a quick pass to Charlie Reid who used his body to shield the ball from the oncoming defender would open up enough space for a shot at goal only for the Sallins defender to come straight through the back of him and see Naas awarded a penalty, Dylan Hand calmly slotted home the spot kick to level matters. Now lifted by the equalising goal Naas went in search of the winner and continued to battle hard and drive at Sallins who now had to work hard to earn a point. Naas would play out the remaining minutes in complete control but couldn't find the winner and in end had to settle for a hard earned point.
Coaches Note: Not the result we would have hoped for going into the game, Sallins had a gameplan and executed it to perfection, but the lads showed huge character and discipline in the second half, battling right to the end to earn a point and on a different day would probably have seen them take all 3 points.
Best For Naas: Adam Geoghegan, Jake Kelly, Dylan Hand, Leo Ahern.
Player Of The Game: Jude Giltrap.
