- OUR PARTNERS
Castleknock Celtic Under 10G travelled to Wayside Celtic on a cold and wet morning. With an hour delay before the match could be played, the parents and kids had a tough time keeping warm and focused. However, it was worth the the wait for what was great entertainment. The Silent Sideline was in full flow and the referee made it clear from the start, NO COACHING from the sidelines and NO TALKING AT ALL, of which he kindly reminded the Castleknock Coach early on. "Shhhhhhhh, Ray". "Understood Ref, understood". Both teams were attacking each other from the start. Celtic all had a player in mind today who they were going to play like. Given the match, they must have picked FIFA 14 ALL STARS.
Jesse Okpetu was in goal, Richard Ogu, Captain for the day after a great performance last week and Gideon Durojaiye leading the defensive line, Owen Boyle, Dylan Thompson, Neil Kirtane and Dylan Coyle were tasked with midfield and Ross Kennedy and Eoghan Smithers leading the line. It was the first time all 9 players were out and all were eager, even in the rain. End to end, Wayside had the first chance to score but shot narrowly wide. So, after an even first 10 minutes, Castleknock started to take control. Dylan Thompson and Owen Boyle were linking up well in midfield, creating chance after chance. And then it started. First up Gideon Durojaiye, into the box and finishing with confidence. Then Dylan Coyne got in on the act from a pre-worked corner kick, a neat one-two with Gideon and Dylan finished with another sweet drive. His celebration was Super Mario Ballotelli Style, revealing his "Why Always Me?" scrawled on his vest under his jersey. One way to beat the silent sideline and not a booking in sight…... Then soon after Gideon Durojaiye from outside the box with a sweet shot that flew into the top corner. Wham Bam Thank You Mam…. Ross Kennedy was also unlucky with a first time volley just wide and you sensed with Owen Boyle he was after some goals . So 3-0 at half time and well deserved.
Quick change, RIchard for Jesse and away we go again. One Word players, SUPER. Nah make it two words, SUPER and FANTASTIC. The team have new found confidence and are still unbeaten since November after a tough start to life in Under 10. Owen Boyle and Dylan Thompson were setting the tempo and Owen Boyle opened his account with a lovely finish soon after the restart. The Dylan Coyne show took over for ninety seconds, two quick fire goals and netting his second hat-trick in two games. Owen Boyle saw this and must have thought, I can score again and so he did, another fine finish from the midfield link up man. Credit to Wayside, who were short some key players but they did not stop playing football and got a well deserved goal soon after. Great courage and effort. Even so, Jesse was controlling the back line with some great position play and passing. Gideon, being in class with Dylan, did not want to listen about his hat-trick so Gideon decided to have one too. Another pile driver into the corner. Eoghan Smithers, coming more into the role of striker, set up a chance with some great hold up play, bringing the defender to the side of the box, holding up the ball and finding his player in space for a shot at goal. Great front play. Ross Kennedy, with great control set up another change and drove the ball goal wards. Only a fantastic save from the Wayside keeper kept it out. Unlucky for Ross and his play deserved better. Neil Kirtane was quietly going about his business in the park, mixing it up in midfield and defence and his effort was rewarded with a COOL AS YOU LIKE finish to wrap up the scoring for the day. A nice smile to finish off the day.
So another fine performance by the players and another tough task to pick MOTM. Two hat-trick players in the team but the award goes to………….drum roll…………… someone else! Well done to Owen Boyle whose close control and link up play was a joy to behold and his two goals pip the award for him from Redondo, otherwise known as Dylan Thompson. Dylan Thompson gets a special mention as he was a key link up man with Owen Boyle and created so much space, tackled back and had some great possession passes, in particular on the right flank.
So well done fellas, well earned and make sure you make breakfast for your mothers in the morning, or if you are reading this on Sunday, clean your room (or get someone else to do it……..)
