Result
Sat May 26th
U13 Division 6
Lakewood Athletic B 3 Ringmahon Rangers A 5
In what was a hugely important match for both teams, the visitors just managed to edge the Lakewood boys in this feisty, entertaining but frustrating contest. The visitors were trying to maintain top spot in the league whilst Lakewood were looking to consolidate their top 3 position. Lakewood had scouted the opposition in previous weeks knowing this was a huge game. Danger players had been identified and a plan hatched to nullify them. All started well for Lakewood and within 10 minutes they were 1 goal ahead. Today’s team captain Kerry William used his pace on the right wing to beat the defence and put the ball nicely into the bottom left corner.
Unfortunately the lead didn’t last long as the visitors equalised minutes later. Bradley Keane in goal was forced into a one on one situation to prevent the player scoring and a penalty was awarded and put away.
Lakewood took the lead again when Kerry once more beat his player and headed for goal down the right wing before slotting it past the keeper. The game was heating up now with both managers and supporters requesting decisions from the inexperienced referee. Bradley saved Lakewood in several attacks that were clearly offside as the ref continued to struggle finding his whistle. #Peagate
But Ringmahon soon equalised once more. A throw in lead to a ball being whipped into the Lakewood box. A simple header for the opposition as a result of Lakewoods failure to clear the ball. The visitors took the lead before half time when one of their 2 excellent female players went on an excellent solo run from halfway past quite a few Lakewood players before scoring.
Lakewood were right back in action in the second half as Tadhg Tuathaigh burst down the right side and made an excellent shot across the keeper into the far corner. 4-3 now to the visitors and the match was still at a frantic pace. Kerry had burst through a couple of times but failed to score after coming very close. The referee was having all sorts of issues and no more so than in the last goal. A Ringmahon striker received the ball whilst clearly offside and after rounding Bradley in goal was unsure whether he should score or not. Several days passed as the ref pondered the situation with his whistle to his lips and the player asked his manager if he should tap it in. Eventually he did as his manager asked and tapped it in, the visitors shocked they had been given the goal.
This excellent and competitive match finished soon after but once more the refereeing decisions, or lack of them, robbed both teams of an even more competitive match. A truly excellent team performance from Lakewood again and one can only wonder where we would have finished if this type of performance had been present all season. Stand out performances from Bradley in goal, superb saves, Owen Beamish on man to man duties for the whole match on their fastest player, Oscar Rickard right back, Fintan O’Leary on the wing and Kerry for his brace and personal commitment in attending the match.
This was this teams final league game of the season and excellent progress has been made. From near relegation last season to challenging for top spot this season, well done lads and bring this form to the cup game and into next season on our new all weather pitch!
