Boys U15 (2010) Premier - Old Fort Celtic
Where to start with this match report!!!! That was a very tough day for the lads and hopefully we can take huge learnings from it.
4-2 up with 8 minutes to go and to lose 4-5 is a very rough one to take.
Naas got out of the blocks really well and the lads played some lovely football in the first 20 minutes and completely dominated the game against a very well drilled Old Fort team. First goal arrived courtesy of Aaron O Donnell, who played a lovely one-two with Ned Keogh on the edge of the box, Aaron showed great composure to round the keeper and tap into an empty net. Second arrived shortly after from Tadgh O Neiill, Tadgh glided through a couple of players in midfield and struck a lovely low drive into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box. Naas then switched off for a 10 minute period and allowed Old Fort to get back in the game, who created some chances and they pulled one back with a few minutes to go in the half. Naas finally awoke from their slumber and regained the 2 goal lead on the stroke of half time. Lovely ball was played through to Aaron who bore down on goal, his touch was a bit heavy, which allowed the keeper the chance to clear, but Aaron was not giving up, and went in with the keeper, with Aaron on the ground, he struck the ball into the empty net from the edge of the box- 3-1 HT.
Second half was largely incident free for the first 20 minutes with Naas very comfortable. Old Fort pulled a goal back after Naas switched off again. With 8 minutes to go, Naas looked to have put the game to bed, after the outstanding Aaron O Donelll, broke down the right, and after beating 2 defenders, swept the ball, across the box, for the onrushing Oisin Lynch to sweep the ball into the empty net.
What followed was 8 minutes of craziness, which is hard to explain!!! Old Fort did not go away and kept pushing, and pulled another goal back. They smelt blood now, our lads looked rattled, and started to panic. With another Old Fort attack, they got a very soft penalty, and despite an excellent effort from James Lennon, the ball crept over the line. 4-4... The game became quiet nasty with some shocking challenges from Old Fort, which the referee did not stamp out or deal with. With 15 seconds to go, Naas lost possession just outside our box, ball was played through and an Old Fort winger scored the winner.
Best for Naas on the day were Sean Stafford, Oisin Lynch with Aaron O Donnell the stand out performer.
