U14 Division 2
Even after conceding we kept playing the football were are trying to achieve, playing out from the back through the midfield into the forward players and as the first half went on, we started finding the space in behind and after a few chances went begging, we finally managed to get the equaliser with a brilliantly measured chip from Joseph Benjamin from about 25 yards out to make it 1-1. We managed to just edge in front before half time with another goal from Joseph Benjamin. Killarney had a few shots off the post, so all was not won even at 2-1 up, but the lads showed great character to get back into the game after going a goal down.
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With only 11 players we had no available substitutes so the boys had their work cut out. We started the 2nd half a bit slowly and found ourselves conceding once again which brought the game back to 2-2. GAME ON! As it happened throughout the game, when one team scored the other team showed great character to get back into the game. Then came a good period of play and taking our goalscoring opportunities, as we found ourselves in front with a great piece of passing play between Shane, Evan and Brandon, the ball fell to Stephen Benjamin in the box, who passed to Ian Dillane who then set up Evan Lyons to give us a 3-2 lead. Just before this fine bit of play from the Park, Killarney had hit the post once again proving to be a costly miss.
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Once 3-2 up, the boys kept pushing forwards through outstanding play by Shane & Evan through the middle which kept bringing chances our way and who else but Joseph Benjamin once again ran through the Killarney defence after a great one-two with his brother Stephen Benjamin and then finished it off to claim a hattrick and put Park up by 4-2. After going 4-2 we started to get a bit sloppy and started losing our shape, and with no substitutes the lads did well to pull through and keep the fighting spirit. Killarney then scored from a mix up at the back and we were once again in a game that could have gone either way – 4-3. As was mentioned earlier the reaction of our boys could not have been better, we went looking to get back our 2 goal advantage and did so again through Joseph Benjamin who scored another brilliant chip from a great through ball from Shane. 5-3
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But Killarney continued their resilience and managed to themselves back into the game from the penalty spot to make it 5-4. Back to the 1 goal advantage but the Park never gave up and about 5 mins from time, another great move through the middle saw Evan Lyons put in Joseph Benjamin who put a great through pass into the path of Stephen Benjamin who finished off another great passing move to put the game beyond Killarney Athletic and to give us all 3 points.
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A great performance from the lads, who managed to play the kind of passing football we have been trying to coach throughout the age groups and today we began to see the fruits of the hard work being put in during training. Players of Note: I would like to praise all 11 of the boys for putting in a great effort and trying to play as a team. On the day Shane and Evan were the hub of the team, both going forwards and tracking back, Brandon on the left wing, who was an attacking threat all game, but also Owen and Con at the back, even though we conceded 4 goals, there were many times they intervened and got the ball clear in dangerous situations. Player of the Match: In a game where you score 4 goals – there is only one outcome you are the Man of the Match – Joseph Benjamin who on the day was just too good & strong for the Killarney Athletic defence.
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If the way we played today is the way we are now coaching at St Brendans Park, then a pat on the back is in order for the group of coaches that has been working with the U’14’s – for a B team to play with that much quality in passing and moving. A very well done to you and I’d say keep doing what you are doing because it clearly is working.
