- OUR PARTNERS
After some early morning getting lost adventures, Castleknock Celtic eventually made it to Celbridge AFC for their second match of the season. 10 Celts were on show and eager to show their skills to the watching fans. Eoghan Smithers was the only one unavailable and so again the team had the luxury of three substitutes. Happy Days. The best player in practice this week (best = timekeeping, effort and willingness to learn), Neil Kirtane, was rewarded by being made Captain for the day. Neil led the line for Castleknock and continued his good work from practice, holding the ball up well and creating space for his midfielders.
Jesse Okpetu, Daniel Olawoye, Richard Ogu and Declan O’Malley were bossing the defensive half of the pitch. Owen Boyle, Dylan Thompson, Dylan Coyne and Gideon Durojaiye were the midfield masters and Neil Kirtane and Ross Kennedy were the sharpshooters for the day. Castleknock started the match by immediately applying pressure on the Celbridge player with the ball. Dylan Coyne, quick in the tackle won the ball in midfield from the Celbridge powerhouse Toby and set up Neil Kirtane with a neat pass. Neil was unlucky with his shot just wide. Barely a minute gone. It was this pressure that Castleknock applied early on that gave them the foothold in the game. However despite some good possession they could not find a goal. Celbridge gradually came into the game and attacked Castleknock down the wings. However Declan O’Malley and Daniel Olawoye were not giving up easily and won their battles, keeping Celbridge at bay. When they did get through on goal, Jesse Okpetu was again in fine form.
Jesse Okpetu’s distribution of the ball from goal was again first class, passing to Castleknock players in space. Some Castleknock players began to hold onto the ball instead of passing the ball when a better option was on. However the first goal came from a throw in and some quick passing. Dylan Coyne with a throw to Ross Kennedy, who did great to create space to receive the ball. Ross controlling the ball on his chest laid the ball back the way he was facing to Dylan Coyne. A quick body swerve and a through ball to Owen Boyle turned the Celbridge defence. Owen, before anyone could shout SHOOT, had hit a low shot that the keeper could not hold onto. Dylan Thompson following in beat Ross Kennedy in the race and slammed the ball home. 1-0 and the first goal to mark the new season. Sometimes lightening does strike twice and another throw in from the exact same spot delivered goal number 2. Gideon with a throw to Dylan Thompson, who laid the ball off to Ross Kennedy. A return pass and nice deflection later, Dylan Thompson, who had kept running without the ball, found the space and this time smashed the ball home. 2-0 and some daylight between the teams. Castleknock were now on top and should have scored some more goals from good positions but were guilty of overplaying and not passing. Still a deserved 2-0 lead at half time.
The second half started like the first, from the tip off the ball was played wide to the on running Gideon who, from near the touchline, hit the post with a cross/shot of great power. The Castleknock players then decided that they could all score and forgot about their team shape, their positions and the need to defend. Celbridge started to boss the midfield and some quick counter attacks created a couple of 4v2’s and 3v1’s, with some midfielders guilty of not helping their team mates. Despite a great save from Jesse, a rebound fell to the Celbridge striker who was left unmarked and slotted home to make it 2-1. About 30 seconds later Celbridge should have had number 2 but Jesse stood his ground and the player shot wide.
All the play was now Celbridge, driving through the middle of the pitch and on the right flank. The Coach wondered where his defence was gone but then he saw where it went. For a Coffee!!!! Declan O’Malley, smelling the freshly ground coffee his mother was drinking on the sideline, decided to leave a big gap in the defence while he had a quick slurp…… Luckily Dylan Thompson was on hand to fend off Celbridge on his own while his partner chilled out….. It was end to end now and Dylan Coyne was unlucky with a pile driver, but shot straight at the goalkeeper. Richard Ogu had a fine run on the right and his cross just avoided the onrushing Owen Boyle and Ross Kennedy. Daniel Olawoye had some fine runs on the left but was caught in possession when a pass was probably the better option. Ross Kennedy found space on the right of the box and let the ball run past him when he perhaps should have controlled it first, chance gone but a good position taken up by Ross, head in hands…. Neil with a great run dragged his shot wide. But this team were not giving up and a free kick about 15 yards out was eyed up by Gideon Durojaiye. With great accuracy and skill he placed it top corner and applause all round. 3-1 with the final kick of the game for a hard fought win for the brace Celts and unlucky on Celbridge.
So, lessons from today.
1. Don’t drink coffee when the game is in play.
2. Tie your laces before the match and not when the opposition are running at you (you 3 know who you are)
3. When you are defending you are defending
4. Six would be strikers in a 7 a side match does not work.
Special mention to Dylan Coyne for his energy and battles with big Toby and Neil for his hold up play which and direction to team mates which was awesome but Man of the Match to…...Dylan Thompson for his brace of goals which were first class. Well done and see you Monday.
