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Castleknock Celtic took the the field looking to build on their fine start to the league last weekend. With only 8 players available, great credit is due to the players for their efforts on what was a very soft and tiring pitch with an extremely strong breeze blowing right to left. Castleknock started against the breeze and were first on the front foot. For all their possession, Castleknock would not test the keeper in the first 10 minutes. When Esker Celtic had the ball, a quick punt and the wind carried the ball over the midfielders which meant that Castleknkock had to start with possession on their goal line on many occasions. But build up possession they did. Ricahrd Ogu, again keeping goal, held out the home side. With his distribution improving to his defenders, Gideon Durojaiye and Jesse Okpetu, Castleknock were finding some good possession. The middle of the filed was patrolled by Dylan Thompson, Dylan Coyne and Owen Boyle. When they broke through they had the option of Ross Kennedy or Eoghan Smithers, who were interchanging up front.
Owen Boyle made a strong run through the middle of the park and was unlucky to drag a shot wide when 1 v 1 with the keeper. Jesse Okpetu, charging from defense, tried a long range curler but the wind caught hold of it and the shot swerved too wide to trouble the keeper. Dylan Coyne fired in a corner which Castleknock were unlucky to finish off. Dylan Thompson was now sending in some good crosses from the right flank, with Ross Kennedy and Eoghan Smithers looking for a quick finish. Unlucky in the first half but Castleknock were on top and their own keeper had not much to do.
The second half started with chance after chance for Castleknock. Richard Ogu was now holding the Esker Celtic strikers at bay with Jesse Okpetu in goal. With the wind at their back, it was one way traffic for the most part. Dylan Coyne was unlucky with a shot. Owen Boyle made some nice space on the left flank and pulled back to Dylan Thompson to finish but he shot wide. Gideon tried from range. Ross Kennedy made some good space in the 6 yard box and was unlucky not to make contact with a volley. Eoghan Smithers was occupying two centre halfs, creating space for others to run into. It was such space that Owen Boyle ran into, send in a great cross again and the keeper made a fine save from a goal bound deflection. The ball fell nicely to Dylan Coyne who set up with a great first touch and then DRILLED the ball into the bottom left hand side of the goal. 1-0 to Castleknock and well deserved too. They players were getting tired and Eskers extra substitutions were beginning to cause Cstleknock Celtic some problems with fresher legs on the pitch. Whenever Esker Celtic looked likely in came Gideon Dyrojaiye like a new Marvel Comic hero, MR UN-KNOCK-DOWNABLE to save the day.
It was a tough game but a great performance from all 8 players. Full credit for their effort today. The Man of the Match goes to Gideon Durojaiye for his desire to win the ball and his attitude on the pitch, first class. Well done fellas and see you all on Monday.
