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Lucan 2 - Castleknock Celtic 0
With a much reduced squad on match day, Castleknock Celtic would have to play smart and make the ball do all the work instead of the players running themselves into the ground. So with the minimum 7 players available Celtic lined up with Richard O in goal, Ross K, Dylan T and Daniel O behind a midfield two of Gideon D and Owen B with Dylan C up front. It was an even start with both sides having equal share of the ball. However neither team could create any chances, the last ball from both teams not to feet and play breaking down. When Celtic did pass and get the ball wide they caused Lucan problems, Dylan C using his pace to create space for Gideon D and Owen B, but the final pass was lacking and no shots on target.
10 minutes in and Lucan started to pressure the goal. With 4 subs rolled on the fresh legs had an immediate impact. Some nice passing by Lucan was stretching the Castleknock players and got in behind the defence a number of times but with Captain Dylan T marshalling his troops there were no shots on goal. And then we saw a great piece of skill, a Maradona spin turn left the right full standing and was quickly followed by a pile driver from the edge of the box, top corner and 1-0. Applause from both sides of the pitch. Nothing Richard O or even Dylan T could do there. Castleknock Celtic continued to press and created 3 overloads upfront but never once picked out a pass to the player in space, opportunities lost. Also, some great corners by Dylan C were not attacked and Lucan held on. On the last attack Dylan T playing a captains role was crossing in from left corner of the pitch, having run the length of the pitch, without the ball, to support his players. So 1-0 at half time and all to play for.
Daniel O had to go in goal as he was injured leaving only 6 fully fit players. Daniel showed great commitment and bravery saving well on two occasions as Lucan threatened early on. But again Castleknock applied the pressure, Gideon D unlucky when put through, beating the keeper but dragging his shot wide. Some more good corners from Dylan C, Richard O getting on the end of one but hitting the post with a firm header. But the display was a bit lacking when Lucan had the ball, not enough pressure applied by the Castleknock players. With the ball, they never got a passing game going, instead trying to beat players in bad positions and losing possession all to often. With better decision making it would have been a different result but from one such error Lucan were left with 3 striker against Dylan T in the box. While Dylan T did his best and blocked two efforts, his team mates did not recover at all and eventually Lucan finished past Daniel O, nothing he could have done.
A wardrobe malfunction later and Gideon D had to go in goal and Daniel O, injured but bravely played outfield again. But not to be. 2-0 it finished, tired legs after the match as all players had to play 40 minutes . So to Man of the Match. On a strange performance from the players there was one player who was the standout performer on the pitch. So well done Dylan Thompson for your positioning, bravery and reading of the game. It was only after the match that the coach figured why some players were a little lacklustre in the game. They were saving themselves for the Castleknock Mile, so well done Owen Boyle, Gideon Durojaiye and Dylan Coyne for running the mile (with a bit of walking and some talking thrown in for good measure). Also well done Terry “Bannister” Boule for looking good during his Mile and holding back so the Coach could finish with the same time, such sportsmanship! p.s. We heard he celebrated on Saturday night as he broke the 10 minute barrier for the first time since the 80s!
See you all Monday for practice.
