Finally the wait is over
Academy
U7s CSL Non Competitive League
Ballincollig v Greenwood
Last Saturday, May 15th, it was the turn of Greenwood to make the trip to the Regional Park, on a glorious summer’s evening, to take on the Ballincollig Under 7s. The game started brightly with both sides playing well. Scott Kelly was tasked with the responsibility of man marking one of the known main threats from Greenwood, based on our last encounter, which he did to great effect. This helped the defenders, Dillon Ring and Paraic O’Keeffe, and keeper Jordan Murphy, to lay the foundations for a solid start to the game. This resulted in the sides being all level at the interval.
The second period was barely underway when Ballincollig fell behind. Greenwood intercepted a pass in midfield, broke down the left wing and scored a cracking goal, despite Jordan doing well to get a hand on the ball, but the shot was just too powerful. As they’ve shown in previous games the lads didn’t despair and just got on with the game. At one stage Ballincollig had to defend a set piece at which Jordan made a great double save, with the second Greenwood attempt almost going in off the post. Later on it was Dillon and Alex Hill making the tackles to keep Greenwood out, and it wasn’t long before Ballincollig had the scores level again. Alex played a great quick ball out of defence to Mark, who in turn neatly put Bryan Smith through on goal and he duly converted. The midfield trio of Robbie Walsh, Jamie Slavin and Mark Oldham were truly outstanding in this period competing all over the pitch. The period ended with Greenwood having a couple of shots wide, before a great passing move saw Robbie slip a ball through to Mark who was so unlucky to see his shot go to the left and wide of the post.
The final period saw Adam Summers and Paraic take over the defensive duties in front of Jordan, with Scott playing a holding role in midfield. Robbie and Mark were given license to get forward on the wings in support of Bryan up front. Ballincollig scored an early couple of goals both from corners; the first was in from the left by Mark and coolly finished by Bryan, the second in from the right again by Mark but this time put over the line near the back post by Robbie. On a couple of occasions Bryan was put through nicely by Scott only to see the keeper make a couple of good saves, and on one occasion Paraic even found himself within shooting distance, only for the keeper to save it. Greenwood then had a series of corners which Ballincollig defended well as a team, but in particular by Paraic and Jordan, who had a great reflex save at the end to put the ball over the bar.
And so it ended, with the lads picking up their much deserved first win of the season. It was truly a great performance by all ten players. Picking a Man of the Match would be both impossible and unfair to those who played considering they were all equally impressive. Congratulations lads, and a big that you to all who came to support them.
The next game is on Wednesday evening, May 19th, away to Blarney at 7pm, hope to see you there.
Comments