Under-12A CSL Division 6
Sat, 21st Sept 2024 at Ballyadam
 
Carrigtwohill United – 1
Lakewood Athletic – 0

After nine weeks of training and five preseason friendlies on a fantastic Saturday morning an amazing group of 16 lads finally got their league campaign underway after a walkover on their first weekend of fixtures.

Starting strong against a physically bigger Lakewood team the lads quickly got into their passing and moving play. Some early attacks started by fullbacks Antoni Kadula and Oscar Connolly and some really threatening runs from John Buckley and Frank Krysiak gave signs of early intent and good spatial awareness on the pitch.

The first real chance of the game came when John Buckley made a run down the right wing and beat his man after being played through by Cesc Matarin. An intelligent low ball across came to captain for the day Oscar Mazur whose early shot was pulled narrowly wide to the left.

Lakewood was starting to come into the game a bit and looking dangerous at times from the middle and down the left but Antoni Kadula, Adam Lane, Oscar Connolly, Klaidas Dedela and Charlie O’ Sullivan were extremely patient in defence being organised by Colm Ó Murchú in goal and stood strong not giving any space or letting anyone past.

Ronan Doyle, Cesc Matarin, Lorcan Thornhill and Ajus Lepeska were excellent in the middle especially against a big and strong midfield. Constantly breaking up their play and moving the ball very well between them and into dangerous areas going forward.

Carrigtwohill had another shot saved by the Lakewood keeper after some good work on the right-hand side by John Buckley who passed the ball to Cesc Matarin who in turn beat two players only to see the keeper save his resulting effort.

The wingers of John Buckley, Mati Majchrzak, Frank Krysiak and Ariel Lembelembe were a constant threat to the opposition fullbacks, regularly getting the ball into dangerous areas behind Lakewood defence. Only some great defending from Lakewood stopped the ball from getting into the dangerous runs of Oscar Mazur and Scott Parker.

The next big chance came from some excellent defensive play by Lorcan giving the ball he won in the middle to Ajus Lepeska who dribbled past three Lakewood players before getting pulled down from behind. From the resulting freekick Ronan Doyle shot and was unlucky to hit the bottom of the left-hand post before the ball was cleared by Lakewood.

Carrigtwohill weren’t done yet in this half. A brilliant run with the ball down the left from Ariel Lembelembe finished with a ball across the goal only for the crossbar to stop Mati Majchrzaks effort.

Nil all at half time and a very entertaining game so far.

The second half started as the first half finished both teams working hard and some very good football on display.
A dangerous corner from Carrigtwohills Ronan Doyle almost working its way through to Frank Krysiak coming late in at the back post.

The breakthrough came in the forty-eight minute when a dangerous Lakewood attack was broken down in the middle by Ajus Lepeska and Lorcan Thornhill with the ball ending up at Charley O’ Sullivans feet who played a great ball forward into no man’s land between the goalkeeper and the defence. Oscar Mazur showed amazing effort and determination to get to the ball just before the keeper and cooly finished into the net. One nil to Carrigtwohill but still a long way to go for the three points.

Lakewood showed what they were made of by really switching it on after the goal. The pressure increased on Carrigtwohill with them pushing forward more and more looking for an equalizer.

If not for what can only be called a world class save from Colm Ó Murchú they would have had their equalizer. Lakewood got on the ball in the middle of the pitch and played a sublime pass through for their forward to run on to. Showing bravery beyond his years and considering this was only his fourth match in goal Colm Ó Murchú came off the line and met the ball in a 50/50 on the ground at the striker’s feet pushing it out wide and accidently taking a knee to the head for his efforts. A heroic save!

Lakewood stepped it up another notch forcing numerous corners in the last eight minutes, but the lads defended these very well despite the height difference between the teams. One ball did manage to ping pong around the box and fell to a Lakewood player who toe poked it towards the bottom corner, but the ever-dependable Mati Majchrzak stuck to his job on the post and cleared off the line.

Carrigtwohill defended resolutely and saw out the rest of the game always looking dangerous on the counter with some good game management, some great passing and amazing work rate and effort.

A great day today but a lot more challenges ahead for this group. But the togetherness of the group, the willingness to work for each other and help each other on the pitch, the drive to recover and get back during defensive transitions and the desire and willingness to learn more are all great signs for this group going forward.

Team:

Colm Ó Murchú, Antoni Kadula, Klaidas Dedela, Adam Lane, Oscar Connolly, Charley O’ Sullivan, Ronan Doyle, Lorcan Thornhill, John Buckley, Mati Majchrzak, Frank Krysiak, Ariel Lembelembe, Cesc Matarin, Ajus Lepeska, Oscar Mazur (C), Scott Parker.

Goals: Oscar Mazur.

Assist: Charley O’ Sullivan.

Man of the match: Antoni Kadula.