This was the first time both teams had met in this age group. Neither team knew what to expect but the Park were in good form going in off the back of a gutsy winning performance.
The 1st half the Park lads started well controlling the centre midfield through Evan and Jacob and playing well out from defence through Shane and Jack in the centre, with Michael on the right and Eoin on the left.
Although the Park were on top from the off a simple defensive error failing to clear the ball and Castleisland pounced to go 1 up after 6 mins. Mark making his debut in goals made a fine save on the 10 min to deny Castleisland their 2nd.
This made the park lads even more determined and they continued to control 80% of the ball with Jacob and Jack making great runs through the centre and on the 15min mark Jack was unlucky to find the net as the ball aided by the post denying the Park the equalizer.
The next 10min spell was all Park pressure having at least six guilt edged chances rom Joseph,Brandon, Jacob and Jack but all failing to convert. However 2 mins from half time and against the run of play Castleisland went 2-0 up from a corner, Evan unlucky, heading into his own net trying to clear the lines. 2 mins from time Park were awarded a penalty with Jack brought down in the box, Jack shook himself down and stepped up confidently to take the strike but the final shot slid wide of the post.
It looked like it was going to be one of those days loads of chances but nothing going in.
The Park management made a few substitutions and switches during the halftime break to try to change the teams fortunes. Eoin moved in left midfield with Sean “sheepy”, Con, Maciek and Filip coming off the bench.
The 2nd half and the Park lads continued to play some fine pass and move style football and were winning in all quarters of the pitch particularly up front with Sean and Jack linking up well and Eoin on the right making penetrating runs time after time.
6 mins in and the Lads were finally rewarded for their efforts with a fabulous goal from Eoin and superb individual piece of play beating 5 players from the halfway line on the left to slid the ball past the keeper, 2-1 and things were looking up for the Park lads, 10mins later the equalizer came from Jack with a fine assist from Sheepy.
Eoin continued to make run after run from the left and with the two front players linking up brilliantly, a 3rd was on the cards and sheepy duly delivered on the 20 min mark 3-2 up and the Park looked as if they were going to close out the game with a couple of great chances from the front men.
Castleisland never gave up and levelled from the penalty spot with 10 mins left on the clock, a min later it was 4-3 to the home side after a goalkeeper error. The Park were unlucky not to equalise in the dying minutes but the final score remained 4-3 in favour of Castleisland.
Football can be cruel, and in a game where the Park Lads dominated 80% of the possession they deserved the win or at least a share of the spoils. On a positive note this was a tremendous display of a “pass and move” style of football, which was a great standard for a B Team.
Keep up the great work lads!!
Squad on the day: Mark Ryall , Michael Dineen, Jack Myers, Shane Walsh, Eoin Lynch, Evan Lyons, Jacob Lukco, Ian Dillane, Brandon Tierney, Joseph Benjamin, Jack Lynch, Con Gill, Sean Griffin, Pillip Zielinski, Maciek Morowski, Stephen Benjamin.
Players of Note : Jack Myers, Evan Lyons, Shane Walsh, Michael Dineen, Sean Griffin and Jack Lynch.
Player of the Match: Eoin Lynch fantastic runs , great vision to create 1 goal and score a fantastic individual goal the Great “Maradona” would be proud to claim.
Training continues at usual times Mondays 7.30 – 8.30pm and Fridays 6.30 – 7.30pm
