Boys U15 (2010) Premier - Cherry Orchard
A game of two halves, the lads gave everything but ran out of steam, missing five potential starters. The clichés could go on and on.
The score line really flatters Cherry Orchard and does not reflect the effort, application, and football our lads played in this game. Cherry Orchard were the better side, perhaps, and deserved to win. The difference between the two teams was down the fitness, and that Cherry Orchard lads only play soccer, whereas our boys play multiple sports, to their credit.
First half.
Game started at a blistering pace, with Naas setting the tone with high energy, high press and not letting The Orchard breath in possession. Naas should have opened the scoring after 10 minutes. After some good play in the middle, Aaron O Donnelll got the ball on the edge of the box and ghosted past 3 defenders and from the end line played a wonderful ball across the 6 yard box, to the on-rushing Ned Keogh. Ned stroked the ball towards the bottom corner but the Orchard goalie made a "worldie" save to deny Naas a deserved lead. The opposition started to come into the game and were denied a lead following a tremendous double save by James Lennon.
Cherry Orchard were getting some joy from long diagonal balls, with both wingers very dangerous. The opening came from such a ball, which was played across the box and tapped in from 3 yards. Naas came storming back and continued to press high. Naas were also having some joy with going more direct than usual, with Aaron giving the centre backs trouble. The high press and work rate paid off, the ball was played back to the keeper, and Aaron, Ned and Sean Stafford pressured the keeper, who flopped his clearance, the ball fell to Aaron who rolled the ball into the empty net. 1-1, Game on. Naas were on top for the next 10 minutes and started to play lovely football, and were not over awed by their illustrious .opponents. Tackles were flying in, yellow cards were dished out, and you could see the frustrations from the Cherry Orchard bench- they knew they were in a game. PROPER CUP GAME. Naas took a deserved lead,. Following good work down the right, involving Evan Malone & Adam Bracken, the ball was played up the touch line for Aaron O Donnell to run onto. The defenders backed off and Aaron was taken down with a desperate last ditch tackle by the 6ft 4" centre half. PENO!!! Aaron dusted himself down and slotted home the peno for 2-1 Naas. The ultras were in dreamland.
Naas started to sit back after the goal and in fairness Cherry Orchard started to dominate the last 10 minutes of the half. Naas made a couple of changes as some of the lads had already run themselves in to the ground.
Second Half
Cherry orchard picked up were they left off towards the end of the first half and equalized within 5 minutes, with a great goal. Again it was the long diagonal ball, which caught Naas out, and the left winger made no mistake from 12 yards out. Cherry Orchard also made some tactical changes, moved there fastest player to CB and pushed 3 into midfield, which worked very well for them to nullify our threats. They went 3-2 up, when they broke quickly down the left and squared the ball into the box. Some indecision between the defence and James allowed the striker to nip in for 3-2. Naas lads were starting to get tired following the effort of the first 50 minutes, so more fresh legs were brought on in Lochlainn, Donnacha, Evan and Sean Haugh. Naas had another surge and following good work down the left from Kian Lawlor, their keeper made a save low to the left hand side.. Naas mgt decided to roll the dice and went 3 at the back, moving Ben Harrington, who had a brilliant game from centre half, into the midfield to assist Adam and Oisin, who were getting outnumbered.
Naas had another chance, following good work on the left, Adam found Oisin just 10 yards outside the box who was fouled. Aaron hit a free which was fumbled by the goalie, but he recovered to deny Naas an equalizer.
Cherry Orchard started to go more direct, and following another direct through ball, the pacey striker got to the ball just before the on-rushing James Lennon. Their striker went down, and the ref who was 40 yards away blew for a peno. Naas supporters on the hockey side could not believe it, as James did not touch the striker. There striker made no mistake and it was 4-2.
That knocked any last bit of fight out of the Naas lads, who were dead on their feet. They had given everything and went toe to toe, with a Dublin powerhouse for 60 minutes. Cherry Orchard added two late goals, which were very sloppy to concede.
Ref blew the final whistle and that was that!!!
The 17 lads who togged out gave everything and the Cherry Orchard mgt were very complimentary after the game and said we were one of the toughest teams they played all year.
Best for Naas on the day were Ben Harrington, Andrew O Toole who had a stormer going in at centre back (never played there before) and Aaron up top. But in truth all the lads were brilliant and they should be very proud of their efforts
