After a couple of tough defeats against Kilreen and Coachford, the lads got back to winning ways in the league against Lakewood Athletic A. The home fixture had ended up 1 nil to Carrigtwohill, but it was a very close game, so another close encounter was expected.

Both teams started fast and cancelled each other out for the first 15 minutes. Carrigtwohill were starting to find their speed of passing against a much bigger Lakewood team. The opening goal came from a move down the right-hand side by John Buckley, the ball getting passed to the centre to Cesc Matarin who found Ariel Lembelembe and his shot from the edge of the box found the top left corner.

Just before half time a Lakewood corner found a deflection off a Carrigtwohill boot and ended up in the back of the net.

Half-time score: Lakewood Athletic A 1 Carrigtwohill United A 1

Carrig started the second half on the front foot with all Lakewood attacks being handled comfortably by the defence of Klaidas Dedela, Antoni Kadula, Rian McGovern, Adam Lane, Charley O’ Sullivan and Oscar Connolly being led from goal behind them by Colm Ó Murchú.

Carrigtwohill’s second came soon after the restart through some outstanding individual work and play by Lorcan Thornhill. Pressing and winning the Lakewood kick out Lorcan won back the ball to cooly round the keeper and slot home.

Carrig’s third came soon after with some good play out from the back with a fine ball played from left back by Oscar Connolly on to the run of Ariel Lembelembe who beat the last defender and finished well beyond the Lakewood keeper.

Carrigtwohill’s midfield of Ronan Doyle, Ariel Lembelembe, Mati Majchrzak, John Buckley, Cesc Matarin and Ajus Lepeska were really taking control of the game now with the hard working forward line of Lorcan Thornhill and Oscar Mazur becoming a constant threat.

The fourth was made from an excellent passing move with some good interchanges between Cesc Matarin and Ajus Lepeska who played the ball to Ariel Lembelembe who found John Buckley and John very calmly finished well.

The final goal of the day was the icing on the cake when Ariel Lembelembe completed his hat-trick and capped off a fantastic individual and team performance when he finished well after some fine work down the right by John Buckley providing an assist.

As good as the scoreline, the win and the performance were, the most satisfying aspect of the day was the obvious improvement and progression of the lads since we last played Lakewood. Whereas the first game was a close and well fought game, the second game showed a much better understanding on the pitch as well as more awareness, better technical play and far more fluidity in their passing and movement off the ball. The increase in their speed of passing and developing the ball into more dangerous spaces and areas of the pitch also showed positive progression.

Lastly to acknowledge the impact of the new warm-up designed, developed and implemented by Sean Buckley to progressively increase the lads mobility, awareness and concentration to be ready for kick-off was another huge help for the boys.

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

Goals: Ariel Lembelembe (3), John Buckley, Lorcan Thornhill.
Assist: Oscar Connolly, Ariel Lembelembe, Cesc Matarin, John Buckley.

Man of the match: Ariel Lembelembe.