Ballincollig AFC

Hit for Six

Academy

U8s CSL Small Sided Games

Sunday 10th April 2011

Ballincollig v Avondale

The Ballincollig Under 8s were in action again in the Regional Park. The lads got of to a good start with an early double attempt at goal from Patrick Kelly but it went left and wide. Little did we know that this was a sign of things to come. Ryan Crowley and Jack Desmond were dominant in defence; Sean O’Donoghue and Dillon Ring were calm and measured on the wings with Paraic O’Keeffe solid in midfield. Keeper Scott Kelly was called into action early on making a great save, blocking a shot with his foot. Ballincollig broke out of defence, Sean played a through ball to Patrick who steadied himself and made an unbelievable long range chip over the Avondale keeper and in off the underside of the crossbar. Sean later had a shot just wide after some good work by Dillon on the wing. Jack and Ryan were clearing up at the back which allowed a counterattack. Paraic weaved his way through the opposition; he slipped the ball to Patrick, who unleashed a screamer into the back of the net. Then without time to celebrate Paraic won the ball from the Avondale tip off, burst through their defence, the keeper stopped his first attempt but he stuck away the rebound. Scott then made another great save to keep a clean sheet going into the break.

The second period was all hands to the pump as Avondale searched for a goal, but Bryan Smith alongside Ryan, in defence were solid. Cillian Kierse now up front had a chance, but the Avondale defender intercepted him just before he could shoot. Later Dillon Ring was unlucky not to score after a nice one-two between himself and Dylan Lane. Avondale then broke down the left wing but luckily their striker missed. Avondale pressed and from a corner they finally scored a deserved goal. Twice Scott made his long kick outs count as Paraic picked them up in midfield and both times it was Cillian with the chance, first the defender made a great tackle and the second time it was just wide. Paraic then had a chance, but got too close to the keeper after a mazy dribble.

Avondale again started stronger in the final period, with Scott and Jack in defence, clearing their lines, with the help of Sean, Dylan and Cillian from midfield. Patrick was back again tormenting the defence with a mazy run beating four players, but his shot was just wide. Cillian made a great tackle after tracking all the way back. Then Ballincollig broke forward with Sean passing to Patrick who held off a defender whilst striking the ball with the outside of his right foot, curling it past the keeper. A hat-trick worthy of a Champions League final! Bryan meanwhile was called into action to make save after save, but eventually Avondale poured through the defence and scored. It was at this point the Referee noticed the numerical discrepancy between the sides, ahem! To balance things out Paraic was recalled to midfield and Ballincollig went from strength to strength. Cillian and Paraic came close to scoring, Scott made a couple of vital defensive clearances, Paraic bagged a second, and Patrick slotted home a fourth whilst trying to set up Cillian.

At the final whistle it was joy all round as the players had earned a worthy victory. It was a very entertaining game with some quality goals and passing. Congratulations to all involved.