Boys Denied Runners Up Spot

Tuesday 29^th June

vs. Active Soccer 1-2

Team: Ciarán B; Lewis, Tom, Joe, Matty; Stephen (capt.); Caleb, Josh; Adam, Seamus, Jacob. Subs: Elliot, Danny, Ciarán S.

The season finale went right to the wire but the runners-up spot in the Summer League remained just out of the boys grasp.

In an open first half, Ciarán B was quickly into the action, taking a confidence building catch above his head in the first minute. The first goal of the game should have been scored at the other end a minute later though, as a ball from Adam set up Jacob only for his fellow wide man’s shot to be saved.

Active Soccer were clearly up for this game and twice Ciarán had to be smart off his line to collect the ball into the area. Joe got a clearing header in as their opponents began to press.

The defence were holding firm but they were struggling to move the ball out of their own half. In the 5^th minute, though, Caleb forced a good save from the keeper diving at his near post. From the corner, Seamus’ glance flew across the face of goal to safety. As their opponents came straight back on the attack, Ciarán B was again down making a brave save amongst the forward’s feet.

Adam and Jacob switched wings in the 11^th minute as the boys continued to be pinned in their own half. Some weak challenges continued to leave the defence exposed and Stephen dropped back to clear. From the resultant throw-in, Joe’s shout of “mine” was quickly followed by a powerful header clear.

A minute later and the boys had the lead. After Jacob was bundled off the ball, Caleb’s shot from the free kick was once again turned around the post. The keeper punched the corner clear but after Joe and Jacob and headed it on, Seamus was on the back post to claim his 33^rd goal of the season.

Lewis was also playing his part in defence and cleared twice under pressure, either side of a goal disallowed for offside for Active Soccer, and then shepherded the ball to safety, recovering after the forward thought he had him beat.

Ciarán S had replaced Adam after 18 minutes but was seeing little of the ball as Active Soccer continued to press. Another attack broke down as Tom’s header guided the ball back to his keeper but their opponents finally got reward for their pressure in the 24^th minute as the defence failed to hold the front line, leaving Ciarán B with no chance. He was in action twice more before the half was out, though, finishing with another save to keep the scores equal at half time.

Adam, Danny and Elliot came on at the break for Tom, Jacob and Seamus as the boys went looking for the win to take them into second place in the table. The second half started as the first ended, however, as Ciarán B saved under pressure from the onrushing forward in the first minute.

They were trying to find more space out on the wings now and Adam set himself up with a low shot pushed out. Ciarán S and Danny linked up on the opposite side, creating a chance for Caleb which the keeper saved.

Joe was keeping up his first form at the back still, with a vital 33^rd minute interception. As their opponents kept up the pressure, Ciarán B made a point blank save with his knees in the 37^th minute. It was then the turn of the Active Soccer keeper to be alert to deal with a long range shot from Josh as Ciarán S followed it in and then the forward then broke free on the right in the 41^st minute only for the defence to smother the efforts of Elliot, Josh and Danny.

Ciarán B’s great goalkeeping display was almost rewarded with an assist in the 43^rd minute as his clearance beat both midfields but was just beyond Elliot too as he chased it into the keeper’s hands.

Matty had had his usual solid match at full back but was sacrificed with 12 minutes to go as Jacob returned and, needing a winner, they went to three at the back. He was straight into the action, slipping the ball through the back line for Caleb but it just ran away from him.

As the game see-sawed between the two defences, Lewis held firm and his clearance in the 49^th minute allowed Jacob to link with Caleb and Danny on the right to force a corner, which was cleared despite claims for handball as the ball bobbled around the defence.

Seamus came on for Ciarán S as a last throw of the dice with 5 minutes left but it was Active Soccer who made the decisive move 2 minutes later. Having broken through the boys’ defence once, only to make the wrong pass, they didn’t make the same mistake twice and a moment’s hesitation left the forward to slide the winner past the helpless Ciarán B.

A bang on the ankle meant that Tom replaced Josh for the final minutes and a late free kick from Joe taken well by the keeper left the boys deflated at the whistle.

Looking for a winning goal, the boys were once again caught out at the end, but they deserve credit for attacking right up until the end. They were guilty at times of being second to the ball, allowing their opponents to take advantage and build another attack. Showing the way, there was no hesitation from Ciarán B, who had a superb game, regularly coming off his line to take the ball safely. However, after yet another mature display at right back, it was Lewis who deservedly picked up the Man of the Match award – “Nice one, Louie”, as Caleb would put it.