7th April 2022
Under-12 CSL Div 2 at Leeside
Leeside – 1
Carrigtwohill United – 5
Carrigtwohill United u12s most recent league fixture was away at Leeside Thursday April 7th. This was their first mid-week match this season.
The fixture came on the back of a rather fine 4-2 away win over table toppers Passage and another 3 points from a home fixture against Mayfield. So the lads brought this good form into this tricky, away local derby match.
Carrigtwohill got off to a really lightening start, some fab free-flowing football, moving the ball at pace led to some early chances and a lovely finish by Owen into the bottom corner, after a clever pass by Aaron. 1-0 after 3 minutes.
The first half was a really well contested half, very competitive with both teams playing the game with great determination while creating chances both ends. Leeside deservedly grabbed their equaliser on 27 minutes, a lovely lob over super keeper Bart who could do nothing about this (his Dad wouldn’t have been able to reach this one either!)
But 1-1 at half time and a chance to work with the boys on tightening up a couple of things.
Carrigtwohill had a really really good second half. On 34 minutes Owen broke free from the defense to again score one of his lovely placed finishes into the bottom corner. Lovely lovely finish.
There was plenty of pressure for our defense to soak up with Odhran solid in the middle throughout, using his pace to ensure any Leeside advantage was covered off. He was ably supported by Jack/Cian/Luke and Patrick across the 60 minutes – all putting in huge efforts to keep things to just 1 goal conceded. Bart “Safe Hands” solid as always in goal.
It was the 46 minute when we got the goal we needed to help close out the win, Sam was strong in the tackle to win the ball, evaded skillfully closing defenders and placed a cracking finish into the middle left hand side of the goal.3-1 and a small bit of breathing space!
Aaron got the goal he richly deserved for his efforts on the day, on 52 minutes – placing the ball beautifully to the left of the keeper. Owen stepped up to pounce on a goalie kick-out, he intercepted the pass to run clear on goal and got his third of the match.
The midfield on the day helped steady the ship, in what was a really hard game – Fionn, Oisin, Sam and James putting in huge effort from the wings getting up and down the pitch against a strong Leeside midfield. A special shoutout for Michael and Isaac in central midfield roles for not just their use of the ball, but they set the tone when we needed it most, working tirelessly and winning tackles at times when we needed it most – to get control in the middle of the pitch.
This was a very close game that really could have gone either way, we got the breaks in the second half. Well done to Leeside for a hard fought and sporting match.
Well done lads, and onwards to the next challenge – on the road again Sunday v’s Innishvilla !
NB We wanted to share the man of the match award between all the squad this time, as it was a real collective effort to win this one!
Player of the Match: All Players!
