Result
U13 Division 6
Mallow United A 2 Lakewood Athletic B 0
The bare minimum 11 players from Lakewood travelled to Mallow for 3rd v 2nd in this crucial game for both teams battling for promotion. Conditions were ideal for a match but possibly too warm for a team without any subs to bring on. The lack of numbers for the visitors also meant many players were in unfamiliar positions. Lakewood, unusually for this team, especially with an early morning start, were out of the blocks from the off putting the hosts under real pressure. Kerry William was using his speed and strength on the right wing to get behind the defence and put balls in the box but Lakewood just couldn’t quite get on the end of them. The very tall home keeper was forced into saves when a more direct approach was taken. The same keeper was also involved in what possibly should have been a penalty for Lakewood. Despite all this pressure, Mallow held on and managed to score first after 15 minutes when a simple ball into the box wasn’t dealt with as some of the defence thought it was offside. This just seemed to spur on Lakewood and their pressure continued until half time, with rare counter attacks from Mallow.
The second half was more even as some of the Lakewood boys started to suffer from their first half exertions. Both teams were dangerous on the break with Bradley Keane in goal making some great saves and great keeper decisions. Owen Beamish and Jake O’Kelly were solid in centre back and Oscar Rickard made some great runs and passes out from right back. The home team scored a great second goal half way through the second half when a ball went diagonally through the defence and was met by an unmarked Mallow player on the edge of the box who rifled it into the top left corner of the goal. Despite this, Lakewood never gave up and chased everything until the final whistle. Great periods of controlled back passing, movement and control were displayed today, and to the keeper too, which shows real progress from the start of the season. Stand out players on the day were Bradley Keane, Kerry William, Owen Beamish and Oscar Rickard.The best team performance for some months with a 100% effort from all. Although returning to Lakewood with nothing to show for their performance, we all know who the real winners on the day were.
