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It was a long day alright. Long drive, Long pitch, long grass, long shadows, long shots and long overdue return to football. After a month away from football the boys were eager to get back to playing after 4 weeks of training. The 10 trusted warriors were in fine form on the way out and expectations were high. Owen Boyle captained the side, battling through injury to play. Jesse was again the net minder, Dylan T and Neil K in defence (with some fine looking size 9’s that were crying out confidence). Declan, Dylan C, and Owen the midfield masters and Ross, Gideon, Eoghan and Richard, yes Richard, up front.
Prematch talk and the players were tasked with producing overlaps during the match. So away we go and Castleknock started the better with lots of possession but at times it was not very good possession, players taking too much time on the ball and also crowding the same space. When they did move the ball into the open space they got around the back of the Ardmore defence. All the first half chances came from quick passing into space. Dylan C unlucky twice not to get his shot away, the Ardmore defenders with some fine last ditch block tackles. Ross and Eoghan with some nice runs in the channels, creating space for Gideon and Richard to run into but we just could not find the finishing touch. One in particular from Eoghan who got the ball at the half way and held off his defender to win his team a corner, great battling. Owen, Declan and Dylan C were bossing the midfield for the most part. When Ardmore did attack Dylan T and Neil were in fine form, reducing Ardmore to just one first half shot which Jesse saved. 0-0 at half time but the coach counted 2 overlaps, one of which led to the best chance of the half.
So, half time and the players were told to move the ball faster, play into spaces and remember the overlaps. BOOM from the off the players were well up for it, typified by Ross K, holding up play, running into space, laying off some great passes to the over palling runner. Within a minute Celtic took the lead, Ross starting and finishing the move. Gideon and Owen somehow got the ball to the end line, Gideon passing the ball in from the endline and there was Ross in the right spot at the right time. and YES …… he used his BACK FOOT control and to score, his “other" foot at that. SMASH 1-0. With the wind in their sails Castleknock were unlucky when Declan went on run wide right, Gideon popping the ball into the space and Declan with a PILEDRIVER that the keeper some how saved. A fine piece of play though. More good play on the left wing and this time Dylan C was not to be denied. A drop of the shoulder creating space and this time he got his shot away and what a shot it was, SWOOSH, bottom corner from outside the box. 2-0 and a happy player indeed.
Ardmore were finding space themselves with their wide left midfielder, number 8, impressing with his pace, skill and desire to compete. A free near the side line a full 20 metres from goal and the Ardmore number 8 had a Ronaldo stance over the free. If i could describe the noise a missile makes I would but I can’t so OMG will have to do. Sweet as a nut he struck the ball in off the crossbar, the keeper didn’t even move. He ran to celebrate with the people applauding on the sideline, but they were the Castleknock people, applause all round. He liked scoring so much he helped himself to another, this time beating 4 Castleknock players as he ran from the half way line and scores past Jesse. 2-2 and pressure on. But Neil’s boots were not to be denied and it was Neil who got the winner, running from defence and latching onto a through ball, keeper saving first time but Neil finishing with great accuracy. As the players ran back to their half for kick off you could hear Ross telling his players to get into position and to concentrate, A young Nemanja Matic in the making. The game finished with Neil making a lung bursting overlap on the right. Happy Out.
So a fine win and some good performances. All agreed in the car on the way home that Ross was Man of the Match and well earned it was too. Holding up well, a super lay off to an overlappiing runner, a fine goal and some great encouragement to his players. Well done Ross and see you all Monday.
