u13 CSL Div 2: Watergrasshill United 3 Mayfield United 1

Watergrasshill United U13's kicked off their CSL Division 2 League campaign with a great and hard fought victory over Mayfield United. Goals from Sean Desmond (2) and James O'Leary proving to be the difference. Watergrasshill United lined out with Jack in goals. Jack isn't our normal keeper but with Rob and Colm not available Jack proved to be a super stand in with a really safe pair of hands. In front of Jack from left to right was Ethan, Cathal, Ceadan and Eoin. Midfield started with James on the left flank, Tim and Shane holding the fort in centre midfield and Seamus on the right. Sean and Aiden spearheaded the attack. We also had a full and able bench of Harry, Gary, Dylan and Colin. The game itself started at a blistering pace and never let up. It was a great first half which Mayfield started the better but slowly and surely the lads hard work at closing down the opposition we began to get on top and by half way through we were unlucky not be be in front as we pressed and attacked from both wings. Sean, Seamus and Aiden all tested the Mayfield keeper. As the half wore on we were hit by a sucker punch when Mayfield scored direct from a brilliantly struck free. The lads took this setback on the chin and began to work their way back into the game. As the half drew to a close the game became a tough and tiring midfield battle with neither team getting the upper hand. Chances were mostly long range efforts which both keepers did really well to deal cleanly with. At half time we lost Eoin to a groin injury but the strength of the bench and the adaptability of our players now showed. Seamus went to right back, Sean to right wing, and Harry came on to join Aiden up front. In the early stages of the second half Watergrasshill began the push for the equalizer, and it looked for a long time like it would never come! Mayfield defended stoutly and their keeper was equal to all our efforts. All the time Mayfield were really dangerous using their pace on quick attacks trying to get the killer second goal. Shane and Time were putting in a massive shift covering back from each attack and pressing, tackling and pressurizing the Mayfield players. Aiden also helped out from the attack. the defence led by Ceaden, Cathal and Gary (who replaced Cathal) proved equal to everything Mayfield threw at them. Finally we got our break through, a lovely passing move carve the Mayfield defence open and set Sean free in the box. He coolly finished for 1-1. It was no more than the lads deserved. We got our second when Sean chased what looked a lost cause and his presence forced the keeper into a mistake and he finished into the empty net. 2-1 to Watergrasshill United. We still had a lot of work to do as Mayfield threw the kitchen sink at us for the remainder of the match. We still had our chances with Colin (on for Aiden) shooting just wide and Tim going on a lung busting run from his own half and against shooting just wide. As we neared the final whistle the pressure built as Mayfield pushed more and more players into the attack to get the draw, but as they pushed forward we found space and James went on a trademark run in behind their right back and scored our third of the day. On a day where the u13's had stars all over the park, from Jack in goals to Sean with 2 invaluable goals, to Tim and Shane who got through a mountain of work in midfield to Ethen "Dinny Irwin" Nixon, Ceadan, Cathal and Gary at the back, it seems almost wrong to single out someone for special praise as man of the match, but as goals win games Watergrasshill United MOTM goes to Sean Desmond with his 2 goals. All in all a great team performance where the boys really fought for each other against really strong opposition and got their just rewards.