Who needs a taxidermist?

Saturday 21^st April

vs. Marina Sands Lions 3-1

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

A splendid defensive display was the cornerstone of this fully deserved victory against the previously undefeated Lions.

The Lions were set up as usual to try and exploit the pace of their forwards but it was a series of strong headers and interceptions from Joe that really set the tempo of the game. It was a scrappy battle in midfield, with the Lions more often first to the ball, but when Caleb did have it he was feeding Adam who had the beating of the right back.

Danny had struggled to get into the game and was replaced at the midpoint of the half by Josh. There were few chances at either end but it was another Adam run soon after that forced a corner from which Elliot hooked a shot into the keeper’s hands.

Ciarán B punched away a Lions’ corner and then Elliot and Tom were on hand to double up on the left as they pressed forward in reply but as the half wore on the boys grew in strength. Adam continued to cause trouble on the left and better passing and movement created a chance for Caleb from long range in the 23^rd minute.

Moments later, another jinky run from Adam set up Ciarán S, who could only shoot narrowly wide. As the pace of the game increased, Joe was on hand with a great block from a Lions shot from the edge of the box. 

The Lions’ keeper pushed Adam’s shot round the post late on but the boys took a deserved lead just before the half time whistle. Jacob’s ball into the area found Ciarán S surrounded by defenders but his great close control created the space for him to shoot home inside the near post.

Danny came back on for Lewis for the second half and, although the Lions had pushed an extra man forward, the boys deflated any hopes they had by doubling the lead two minutes into the half. Jacob was again provider, controlling the ball out of defence to set Ciarán S free. He used his pace to far greater effect than his opponents had in the first half, powered away from the defenders, expertly rounded the keeper and slid it into the net.

With the extra firepower up front, the Lions were playing ever more direct football but still the defence held firm – as important as Joe had been in the first half, so Matty, with a series of headers, would prove to be in the second. Ciarán B was commanding more and more of his box as the Lions struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

Who scores the third goal is almost always decisive – when Jacob found Josh in space in the centre of the pitch and his ball behind the full back allowed Danny to lift it into the roof of the net from 12 yards in the 35^th minute, the boys had a three goal cushion against the league leaders.

Still there was no easy way back for the Lions. Matty’s interception went for a corner which the boys dealt with comfortably but they weren’t sitting back as Danny broke free on the right again and Jacob was inexplicably pulled back for offside with the Lions defence all at sea.

After Caleb took a whack to the head, Lewis returned to midfield for the last 15 minutes but it was a momentary lapse from Matty, handling in the box, which gave the Lions some hope as the resultant penalty was converted in the 44^th minute.

The boys were never going to let this one slip through their fingers, though. Ciarán B saved a swerving shot and was swiftly up to close down the forward from the rebound as the resolute defence forced the Lions into shooting from long range.

Caleb returned at Adam’s expense in the 46^th minute to tighten up the midfield but behind them Matty’s head continued to be on the end of almost every ball the Lions pumped forward, Alongside him, Joe was dominant with the ball at his feet and Tom and Elliot were keeping any swift raids down the right at bay.

Ciarán B watched a long range free kick into his hands in the 49^th minute and, although he was busier this half than the first, the boys were still causing problems as Lewis’ ball across the park almost set up Josh.

Adam and Cormac came on for the last four minutes, replacing Ciarán S and Jacob, and the pair linked up almost immediately to break as the Lions threw everything forward. Ciarán B made another solid low save but saved the best for last as the boys conceded another free kick outside the box with a minute to go. This time the kick was deflected and he had to change direction and then go full length to turn the ball around the post for a stunning save that epitomised the defensive display of the whole team on the day.

Joe was named Man of the Match – it was a tight vote – but the grit he showed in the first half went a long way to determining the outcome of the game. If ever the boys needed to realise that winning the headers in midfield and defence gives you the chance to dictate a game, this was the day. Confidence oozed through this display – confidence they should take into Monday’s cup final.