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"It feels like a party every day”. Is that a famous quote from a world class Soccer coach after securing another fine away win? Was it Pellegrini, Mourinho or Rodgers? …….. Read on to find out. x
Castleknock Celtic were away to Pearse Rangers in what was another tough encounter with neither team backing down from any challenge. Jesse was again in goal, improving every game. Dylan T and Richard were the defensive wall with Owen, Declan, Dylan C and Gideon the midfield pass masters. Ross and Eoghan, the foil up front looking for a goal at every opportunity. Pearse Rangers started the brighter with some nice passing in midfield but two quick chances were dragged wide. It was an Astro pitch so the ball was travelling a bit faster than normal and some misplaced passes were causing Celtic problems. Dylan T and Richard were again immense in defence blocking, heading and covering the pitch with great determination. The midfield started to come to life with a couple of nice passing moves resulting in two Castleknock chances but they could not hit the target. It was helter skelter with the ball flying up and down the pitch, not the most technical of games but boy was it exciting. 0-0 at half time and a well earned water break.
Second half and this time Catleknock were on the front foot. With a bit more pressure when not in possession Castleknock started to force the play and Pearse Rangers found it hard to live with. But as we know it is a team game and all players need to put in 100% effort to make it work. For 10 minutes in the second half they did exactly that with Owen, Declan and Dylan reacting faster to the loose ball and making the Rangers players play the ball first time, forcing errors. It was this pressure that eventually told when Rangers played out from the back, Gideon pressured the defender, won the ball and a let fly a super left foot pile driver low to the keepers left hand side. 1-0 and WHOOPS all round.
As the match progressed Rangers applied all the pressure and Jesse made 3 “worldie” saves, keeping Rangers at bay. It was like the Kop at Anfield at Jesses’ goal as all the Rangers supporters were on the end line but Jesse was not for beating today and quietened the crowd with his fine performance. Dylan T and Richard were well placed when Pearse broke through the midfield, both players with last ditch tackles in the final minutes. After what seemed like double Fergie time the ref blew for Full Time and 1-0 it finished. It was a hard earned win and a bit harsh on Pearse Rangers who could not convert their chances.In some ways Castleknock were lucky as they did not put in the effort that they have done in the past. Some players were faster with the ball than without the ball and some forgot to help and support their team mates. But all was forgiven and the players celebrated by doing what all finely tuned athletes do, they tucked into Dylan T’s bag of Rolo’s and Owen B’s box of chocolate cornflake buns, mmmmmmmmm. Next week it might have to be pasta and chicken! So Man of the Match, well it could have been any 3 of the defensive unit with Richard probably getting a headache having headed the ball about 15 times, Dylan T again displaying fantastic positional awareness and passing in defence but given that his team mates sang to him the way home the award goes to “It feels like a party every day, Hey Jesse, Hey Jesse”.
