Boys U13 (2013) Premier 3:1 Allenwood Celtic

Date: 28 Feb

First Half

Spring was in the air in Naas Sports Centre as Naas took on Allenwood in the KDUL Cup round of 32.

Naas started well and passed the ball well on a heavy pitch. They created early breaks down both wings through Mikey Danu and Adam Conroy. In the middle of the park Kellum Finnegan, Hin Ngo and Peter McBride tried to control the game but Allenwood were battling hard.

Naas took the lead in the fifth minute. Centre Forward Frankie O’Leary finishing well from an Adam Conroy cross from the right. Minutes later O’Leary nearly added a second but for an excellent save from the Allenwood keeper.

Naas were controlling the game for the most part but against the run of play Allenwood forced a free kick on the edge of the Naas penalty area. They dispatched it to the bottom corner with a low strike.

Second Half

Naas regained control and continued to create chances. Both full backs, Jason Gleeson and Max Kennedy were helping to start attacks out wide. Despite a lot of good moments in and around the Allenwood penalty area they couldn’t force the second goal until five minutes before the break. Hin Ngo found Adam Conroy in the centre of the box and Conroy finished low to the net to make it 2-1. It was no more than Naas deserved.

Naas continued to dominate the second half with Keeper Kian Shanaghy having little to do while centre backs Jamie Dunphy and Callum Hartigan kept the Allenwood attack at bay.

Eleven minutes into the second half Hin Ngo latched onto a through ball from Charlie O’Connor. Raced clear of the Allenwood defence, he rounded the keeper and finished to the net.

Naas created chance after chance with Oscar Ross battling well down the left wing and Sean Hayden pulling strings in midfield. With the Allenwood keeper in fine form and defensive goal line clearances they kept the score at 3-1.

The sticky pitch took its toll on both teams and the game petered out with Naas happy to be safely through to the last 16.

Next up for Naas is a league game next Saturday afternoon away in Kilcullen.