NDSL 18 Premier: Draw 2-2 away to Hartstown

Posted in: 18 Prem (NDSL), 2011 Reports, Latest News

Disappointing display by U-18 prem team saw them share the points with Hartstown.  Continuing their erratic form from last week where they mixed the good with the bad, it was same again today.

It all looked so different in the first 30 mins. Castleknock bossed the game with Dylan Murray in majestic form in midfield, ably assisted by Wale on the wing and Slevin looking sharp up front,.

They quickly went into a 2-0 lead and looked comfortable. Several chances went abegging and then Hartstown played a long ball to their lone striker, Oke. Despite being surrounded by 5 Castleknock players, he somehow managed to work a free kick from which they scored. It was nip and tuck for the last 5 mins of the first half.

In the second half Castleknock lost concentration, and sure enough a long ball to Oke. Again he worked a foul this time in the box. PENALTY for Hartstown, which was well taken and now game was at 2-2. Castleknock were struggling and the game was anyone’s.

Hartstown were showing the type of controlled football that they are well capable of.  Then the introduction of Roe and Doolin seemed to waken Castleknock up. They suddenly started dominating again and created chance after chance. Some delicate passes from Roe found Wale free, then Slevin and then one superb pass put Slevin through one on one with the keeper.  Amazingly the centreback somehow recovered and tackled Slevin just as he was about to pull the trigger. It was genuinely a world class tackle.

Wale then crossed for Doolin who headed just wide, same again for Slevin who headed just wide. Then Parkes shot over from close range. The ref blew for full time and Castleknock were left to rue a patchy performance.

Manager Roe was not pleased and now has to worry about Dylan Murray joining his long injury list. Roe commented that Hartstown displayed great fight to get back into the game but really this was 2 points lost not one gained.

Roe hopes to have Mo [ankle] back within 2 weeks, John Roe [knee and hamstring] got 25 minutes today so hopefully he will be available next week, Sean Hanney [ankle] no date set, and Murray is visiting specialist on Monday.