Feature Game

Noel Recruitment Premier Division 

Kildare Town AFC 2 Naas United FC 1

A depleted Kildare Town hosted Naas on Saturday evening in Rathbride Road knowing they needed to win to keep their faint hopes of winning the league alive. They knew that, despite their league position, Naas were always going to be a tough challenge and so it proved. Although being short a number of regular starters Kildare played some lovely football throughout the ninety minutes and those who deputised fitted in seamlessly to the squad giving the management team some food for thought for the remaining fixtures this year.

The game did start scrappy enough with a good battle for the ball in the midfield where Dan Downey and Brian Nolan were doing a great work of putting the Kildare town midfield under pressure.

Kildare opened the scoring in the first half when Keith Kinsella scored a rare goal with his right foot when he connected powefully to a through ball from Nathan Gahan on the half volley from the right side of the box.  Kildare continued to dominate in terms of possession and had numerous opportunities to double their lead but were met by an inspired display from the Naas goalkeeper who kept his side in the game who some good saves. After this spell Naas had the better of the ball with Gavin Kelly causing Kildare’s right back all sorts of trouble with his pace. Naas were then forced into a tactical substitution with their left back Aaron Ellis going off injured. Kevin O’Reilly then came into the midfield and they push Tristan Iveagh who was playing left wing to left back and after this Naas dominated the ball and caused more trouble for Kildare.

The goal came from a great ball up to our centre forward Darragh o Connor who did well to hold the ball up a lay it off to Ross O’Callaghan who danced his way around 2 players before being taken down for a penalty. Ross then took the penalty and put the ball into the roof net given the Kildare goalkeeper no chance and it was game on at 1-1 just before half time.

The second half began with both teams having chances. Naas defence was solid with the centre back pairing of Dave and Will not letting anything in behind them. Kildare we’re seeking a second goal and it eventually came when Jason Maher of Naas did very well at right back to stop a counter attack but the ball broke to Nathan Gahan who rifled home a bullet of a shot from 25 yards giving the keeper Mark Byrne no chance.  At 2-1 down Naas had all the ball with Kildare trying to hit constantly on the the counter attack with their goal keepers big kick outs but Naas pushed and pushed for the equaliser with Naas playing good football out from the back and a Kildare team sitting very deep holding on to their lead.

Naas got plenty of balls into the box but nothing was dropping for them, then with 5 mins to go Dan Downey and Brian Nolan played good football to carry the ball up the pitch and to get the ball out to Ross O’Callaghan who beat the full back and took a shot on his weaker right foot that just went back off the back post it was not to be for Naas who pushed for a chance after that but never came. Kildare dug in and battled well and held this lead for the much needed 3 points. Best for Kildare were Keith Kinsella (striker), Nathan Gahan (midfield) and Aaron Walsh (defence) Best for Naas was Dan Downey, Brian Nolan and Ross o Callaghan who scored the goal and was a constant threat.