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Michael Jackson would have been proud of this match as it was an end to end THRILLER. With some players missing through injury, the reinforcements were called in from the Castleknock Celtic Under 12s to make sure there were enough players to start. The team were looking to build on some good performances over the past month. With the introductions over, Dylan Coyne, Jake Rice and Dawide Biernat were ready for 11 a side football, a new adventure. Wayside Celtic were the visitors, mid table and on a good run themselves. So, peep peep and game on. It was Castleknock who started the brighter with some nice passing through the middle of the pitch. Dylan Coyne and his midfiled partner Gentian Ramadani were playing some fine through balls to the strikers and were unlucky not to capitalise. Jake Rice was settling well in the back four and Dawide Biernat, centre half beside Gareth Corpuz and Daniel Hanraham added great composure and positional play.
Castleknock were building pressure down the left flank and it was a fantastic solo run from Gentian, zig zagging past Wayside and SMASH, back of the net and 1-0 to Castleknock. What a goal. With their tails up Castleknock Celtic continued to apply pressure. Jake Rice was feeding Ahmed Shabahat and Matthew Coughlan in the midfield and Wayside were under pressure. After 20 minutes Wayside came into the game and only a quick run off his line from Darius Horincar prevented the Wayside striker scoring. The back four were playing as a unit and denied Wayside a clear opportunity. Castleknock had more chances to score but Ahmed was unlucky with a fine shot blocked by the retreating centre half. A driving run down the Wayside left and they were through 1 v 1 and this time the striker finished, nothing the keeper could do. 1-1 and game one.
This did not phase Castleknock who kept trying to play football. Unlucky not to add to their score, 1-1 and half time. Some nice banter between the team members who were really enjoying the game and it showed on their faces and in their play.
So the referee restarted the game and Dylan Coyne began conducting from midfield. Gentian was full of energy and giving great options to his midfield partner Ryan Shiels for a forward pass, using his pace with great effect. Wayside did not know how to handle this attacking team. Ahmed drove at Wayside who conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. Gentian had a glint in his eye and with great composure and skill left the keeper with no chance. Celtic redoubled their efforts to drive home the advantage. Devang Mehta picked the ball up in the left back position, drove at the Wayside midfielders, the way Gentian had done. He found Ahmed and BOOM it was 3-1, another super effort and screams of delight all-round Porterstown Park. Happy days. Celtic were in cruise control and a sense that victory was in sight. However, those who were at the game a month ago against Leicester would have been more hesitant about early celebrations. That game had flip-flopped from 3-1 lead to 3-4 defeat. It was end to end now and Wayside were getting frustrated with a couple of yellow cards to add a bit of colour to the dull skies.
So, though tails were up, there were some omens appearing - tired Celtic legs with only one substitute on the bench. Almost on cue therefore, Celtic lost concentration. A long punt up the pitch and Castleknock were undone, the ball finding the striker and quick as you can it was 3-2. Wayside were using their substitutes well and within two minutes it was 3-3. A ball over the top, Dawide up to head clear, the ball ricocheted off the Wayside player and into the striker. Jake Rice in on the cover but the Wayside striker was brave, Celtic keeper Darius was quickly off his line but the ball somehow found the back of the net. 3-3 and Wayside on the up. After an injury to Darius, his brother Angelo had to take over in goal. So Castleknock were down to the bare 11. While trying to do the right thing and play from the back, a stray pass led to a penalty for Wayside. Their tall No 9 powered home his spot kick as Angelo just failed to keep it out, but did guess the right side. So 4-3 to Wayside and some comeback. But this Castleknock team were not to be denied. A free on the right was cleared by Wayside, Jake Rice lofting the ball back into the danger area and it found its way to Gentian who decided to keep the move going and with a bit of improvisation (a bull toe) he found the far post and goal number 4 for Castleknock, and his Hat-Trick was complete. We heard a rumour he had a bet with another player he would score 2. Unlucky Gentian, you lost the bet, as you scored three!
Most teams would be happy with a draw but not these teams. The Wayside player did a good impression of Thierry Henry but the referee spotted it and was not impressed. Wayside down to 10, a little bit of red replacing the yellow. Castleknock kept pushing and with the last kick of the game won a free edge of the box. Gentian tried his luck again but the ball was cleared off the line and the referee blew the whistle. So, 4-4 it finished and a great game to watch. Gentian gets the award for Man of the Match. Coach Kevin Coughlan was quick to say a special word of thanks to Dylan Coyne, Jake Rice and Dawide Beirnat for helping the team today. So well done fellas, see you all at practice next week.
