Corduff Utd  1   Castleknock Celtic 1

NDSL U-8A

17th Oct. 2009

Castleknock under 8's met thier old rivals Corduff for the 3rd time this season and as usual this was a tight game in what has now become a local derby. Fielding some new players obviously drafted in to help them in this difficult league Corduff had improved immensely since the sides last met. 

The opening saw some of the Castleknock players loooking like they needed a good nights sleep as they failed to get any sort of grip on the game in the opening 10 minutes. It was all Corduff and Jack Kearney and Mark Hughes needed to be at their best to thwart several attacks from Corduff. The pressure though eventually saw Corduff get the breakthrough with their lively centre forward in a race to a loose ball and despite Jack Kearney's heroic efforts to get back the ball was lifted over Joe Gleeson for the opener. Castleknock made several changes and some of the sleepy players were replaced. This had an immediate effect as Castleknock pushed forward to get an equaliser but half time came too early for Castleknock. 

The second half saw Vilius Labutis again instrumental in getting Castleknock back in the game and Brian Dalton also played some wonderful football to put Noma Erdawau through and he finished with a fabulous low drive to put Castleknock level. Finally Castleknock found the form we have seen so far from this unbeaten side.  Vilius Labutis went close several times, Ben Blanche had a fine shot come off the post and a couple of goal mouth scrambles just wouldnt break for Castleknock. Arron and Robert Lynch came on at the back and they made a fine partnership and delivered several decisive tackles which kept Corduff chances limited. Corduff obviously felt teh pressure as the clock wound down and made several substitutions and were in no hurry and were glad of the final whistle.  Man of the Match Mark Hughes.  1-1