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Finglas Celtic 5-5 Castleknock Celtic
So, only the 10 goals to report on then....... What a game, we heard it was sponsored by Cadburys. Dunphy and Giles were having a field day on the sidelines...... All that was missing was the music..... But the coach does not like chocolate, he had Bangers and Mash for tea..... (Allegedly).
Last game of the season, no goals scored in 3 hours of footy since Bradley's thunderbolt header a few weeks back. "Still dizzy coach" came the comment....
So, something different was needed. The coach turned up in his finest Pellegrini outfit to inspire the boys! Who saw that one coming!!! Pre match team talk, go score some goals and enjoy. Nkemjika the captain, Dawide, Dylan T, Ethan, Adam, Dylan O, Dyl, Jake, Evan and Nkemjika the starters. Josh, Cian and Bradley chomping at the bit. With 12 available, only Lee was unavailable, enjoying the gifts the confirmation brings (religious gifts, not material gifts of course).
And how the Pellegrini outfit worked. The team lasted a full 65 seconds before conceding!!!! But it was against the run of play........well kinda..... Nearly..... So the sideline ponders..... Was it the formation, was it the kick off time, was it the coach? And within 20 seconds of tip off it was 1-1, Jake with his first of the season, big smiles all round. That's more like it lads. Had to be the kick off time......
There were some big units in the Finglas midfield and up front. Castleknock too polite and before you knew it they were in front again. Nothing Dawide could do. But, Dyl gets on the ball, neat run and through ball and Evan, up for it tonight with a smart finish into the corner. 2-2. Some much fun and only 10 minutes gone
It was end to end, but unfortunately it was 4 times our end in the first half and only 3 times their end. Evan again with a sweet finish. But Castleknock were bossing the last 10 minutes of the first half.
Second half and more of the same but this time Castleknock really applying the pressure. Dylan O dictating play from right back, Nkemjika always available and Evan causing havoc. Adam and Ethan now controlling the strikers. Jake, Bradley and Dyl dominating centre mid. Josh and Cian holding up play out wide. Dylan T off injured after some great crunching first half tackles and Dawide calming things down with his distribution.
But, really, for sure, against the run of play Finglas make it 5-3. Keep on keeping on sang Dunphy and Giles and boy did they. Nkemjika in great positions, passing when a yard or two out when perhaps a shot was the better option (if you know what I mean). But still getting into great positions and always trying to find a man. But then just for a change Nkemjika decides to blast one in top corner from 25 yards...... Quite impressive young man. You get the feeling it was a "look what I can do moment". Big smile on the boy and deservedly so.
It was all pressure from Castleknock, Bradley and Dyl unlucky with their shots blocked and passes just skipping through to the keeper. But these boys were not to be denied and Evan deservedly got his hat-trick, another cool finish after giving the boys the run around. So, 10 minutes left, enough for another hatful. It was Castleknock now dominating and shot after shot, chance after chance, but not to be. 5-5 it finished and what a great way to end the season.
Seriously hard to call a Man of the Match. In the car there were votes for Dawide, Jake, Evan and Nkemjika. The coach thought Dawide & Bradley were outstanding, supported by Dylan O in the second half with a great display of craft. But we shall give it to our pair of centre forwards who worked like a dream ticket today, Evan for his 3 goals and Nkemjika for his goal and general play, in particular the second half where he totally bossed the game. So, well done boys, great performance and here's looking forward to Clara Lara.
As Manuel would say, "it is important that a team always tries to score goals". He even said that after the Real Madrid semi finals........ No more 0-0 draws for this team!
