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"We played like Brazil…….but they played like Germany”
Tough loss away to Manortown for Castleknock Celtic.
Back to the league and the sun was shining and Castleknock Celtic were looking good in their new Training Tops, initials proudly displayed on the top right of their tops. With 9 players this time out there was the ability to give players a rest during the game. The team started with GD in goal, RO, DT, ES & RK in defence, DC, DO and DOM in midfield and OB upfront. This was the 3rd time to play Manortown, losing out by 1 goal in both previous encounters. Off we go and it was Manortown who started the brightest, a bit quicker to the loose ball and more eager to battle. But Castleknock kept trying to do the right thing and played from the back with the keeper GD starting off play with a pass to a player in space. However it was a pass from the keeper which was cut out by the Manortown midfield and they found their main striker and he unleashed a pile driver from the corner of the box, over GD head and hands and into the net. Some goal, he has a habit of doing that to Castleknock. It was after this that Castleknock really started to play, DC bossing the midfield and OB having the better of the Manortown defence. All of a sudden it was all Castleknock. DO cutting in from the right onto his left foot like Robben and BOOM, off the post. DC with a mazy run and SLAM, keeper saves. OB CRASHES a shot in, defenders block. When Manortown did push forward DT was in his usual mood of giving nothing too easy away. RK and ES were trying to make things happen from a deep lying full back position. And then the pressure told with OB shooting, keeper saves but there was DC to fire home with a double-nutsey for the equaliser. There was an echo in Manortown Park as all you could hear was “nutsey” “nutsey” followed by cheers.
So 1-1 at half time and some changes. GD came out of goal to try out his new Ronaldo boots, looking splendid in the sunshine in his sparkling pink boots. DO took up the role of goalkeeper having impressed recently when injured against Lucan United. It was all Castleknock from the start with DC pushing the team forward with some fine passing, ably supported by DOM. GD had some trademark runs but shot at the keeper on two occasions. But then Manortown scored out of nothing with Castleknock too easy in the tackle and 2-1. Castleknock kept pressing but Manortown scored from a Castleknock corner. Possession was lost at the edge of the box and one Manortown player ran the length of the pitch without being tackled. 3-1. The 4th was deja vu with the ball lost in the Manortown box and two passes later they again ran the length of the pitch to score. So 4-1 down but Castleknock kept pressing and had plenty of shots, RO and OB unlucky as Manortown had a great keeper who made some fine saves. Also some poor decisions by Castleknock stopped them scoring more goals. With plenty of 2 v 1 and 3 v 1 on offer we never quite picked the right pass.
So 40 mins gone and 4-1 but the ref decided to keep playing, Manortown scoring two quick fire goals right at the end. Not quite Brazil v Germany as was the discussion in the car on the way home. “We only lost 6-1, not 7-1" came the reply from one player, surely a future captain (or politician) in the making with that response. And so to Man of the Match, that goes to DC for his close control of the ball, winding and weaving though the crowd but always looking to move the team forward when a good passing opportunity presented itself.
It was the last of the teams official matches in what was a very competitive league for this team. But we still had some standout performances and although we did not get the results on occasion we played some nice football, holding a good shape and supporting each other. Players played in different positions and learnt from each other. And there was some nice skill on display too. So well done boys, 9-a-side next year so we will continue practice Monday and Wednesday and play some friendly matches before the summer break.
