Match Report: Boys U16 (2010) Premier 3:0 Clane

Boys U16 (2010) Premier 3:0 Clane

Date: 29 Apr

The Opening

You cannot fault this team. Another win, a clean sheet and some lovely football played in the second half.

Naas started strongly against Clane and were on the front foot from the start. Despite the strong start, Naas did not create many clear cut chances and had a couple of half chances. Clane started to get a foothold in the game, playing some nice football and creating chances. Clane had a best chance of the game when their winger crossed from the right and their striker somehow blasted over the bar from 2 yards out. The warning signs were there. Against the run of play, Naas went 1-0 up. Following good work on the left with Max Galvin & Adam Bracken, Adam was fouled, 10 yards out on the right hand side of the box. Aaron O Donnell stepped up played in a peach of a ball to the back post, Ben Harrington met flush, and buried a header from 6 yards. Glorious Goal!!! Despite the lead, Clane continued to be the better team, snapping into tackles and playing the nicer football. Naas changed from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 and that made a big difference as we matched up with Clane in midfield.

Naas went 2-0 up, again from a set piece, and with roles reversed this time. From a free kick just inside the Clane half, Ben played a very dangerous ball into the box, Aaron got his head and maybe a bit of his back on the ball from a few yards out, and the ball hit the net. Clane were still looking quiet dangerous, but any half chances were snuffed out by Andrew O Toole, Ben Harrington and Cormac Donegan. James Lennon was very assured in goal, and made a number of quality saves, the pick from a Clane free kick, which he touched on to the bar.

The Action

Naas could have made it 3 before half time, following good work in the middle with Oisin Lynch, Adam Bracken and Sean Stafford. Ball was released to Aaron who played in Ned Keogh. Ned beat the high line and was through on goal, but shot just wide.

Second half, Clane visible started to tire and Naas started to take control. Half time subs, Evan Moriarty, James McGrath, Donnacha Hickey, Tadgh Fennell, Sean Haugh and Cian Leonard, added massive energy around the park and had a major impact on the game.

Ball was largely camped in the Clane half, with Adam, Oisin, Sean. Cian enjoying lions share of the ball and acting as the springboard for the chances in the second half. Naas were creating clean cut chances now with Aaron, Ned, James, Lochlainn and Donnacha all going close on several occasions. James McGrath had the ball in the net but was given a dodgy call of offside. The third and killer goal arrived, via an old fashioned boot out the middle of the park. Ben launched a long hopeful ball, which Aaron ran onto, outpaced the Clane defence, and smashed the ball off the underside of the bar. There was some frustration in that shot following a couple of misses in the second half. 3-0 and game was done. Naas could and should have added a couple more goals before the end.

The Finish

Again this was a full 18 man effort and every player played a massive role in the game tonight. Despite Clane being the stronger team in the first half, the lads did not panic, went 2-0 up and dominated the second half. Unfortunately Old Forte could not do us a favour against Kilcullen.

Great to see Fred Cowdell and James McGrath return from injury, both played superb tonight.

Big well done to the 10 lads for doing the referee’s course!! Great to see the lads doing this