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KDFL Lumsden League Cup (Round 2) Action.

Naas United FC 6 Castle Villa AFC (Div 2) 2

Naas United booked their spot in the next round with a 6-2 score line. But they didn’t have it all their own way as the Castledermot side certainly gave them a first half fright. The home side began brilliantly and looked to be very confident with a couple of early opportunities. They took the lead after just six minutes after a brilliant cross from right back Jamie Dunne was finished brilliantly on the half volley by Scott O’Neill who arrived late from midfield. Naas though, switched off after that and just three minutes later it was 1-1 when a thrown on caught Stephen Tilly and Scott O’Neill off guard and left Aaron Delaney clean through and the talented striker made no mistake with a powerful strike low to the keepers right. 

Naas were guilty of switching off completely as they went 2-1 down a minute later as they tried to play out from the back and Keith Higgins passed straight to Villas No.7 Corrigan who neatly lofted the ball over the stranded keeper. Naas did assert their authority on the game and a slight on-field change saw Travis O’Neill go out to the right and Owen Moran through the middle and this gave Naas the spark again as Moran went close with a shot. Naas made it 2-2 in the thirty first minute when scheming winger Joe Murray was fouled out near the sideline. Liam Marshall sprayed a perfect set piece and Travis O’Neill showed good awareness to glance his header onwards and into the net. Naas dominated after this and with just a minute to go before the break, they made it 3-2 with a lovely strike from Paul Ometeso to curl it into the bottom corner after Stephen Tillys quick throw in was  back heeled brilliantly by Joe Murray. 

The second half was only a minute old when Paul Ometeso went on a lovely solo run to beat three players with some neat skills before being fouled on the edge of the box. Joe Murray stepped up and struck a beauty, but his free kick was tip onto the angle of cross bar and post and slapped down along the goal line where Owen Moran sprinted in to tap home from close range. Naas introduced Dylan Hannon and Reuban Maher with an hour gone on the clock and both men were influential straight away as Hannon won the ball brilliantly before Maher set Ometeso away with an inch perfect through ball, Ometeso crossed and Owen Moran was on hand to rise high at the back post to power a header past Peter Cogan in the Villa goal. 

Moran completed his hat trick for the home side  with ten minutes left to play when Substitute Ben Loughlan was played through and despite the calls for the sideline for him to go himself and shoot, he unselfishly squared it perfectly across the face of goal and Moran came onto it to crash home and make it 6-2 and cap a very impressive display from the in form forward. There was still a late chance for Villa as they were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds, but Keith Higgins made a brilliant save down to his right from an Aron Delaney spot kick. Naas were best served today by Hat Trick Maverick Owen Moran, Jamie Dunne, Travis O Neill , Liam Marshall and Stephen Tilly while Castle Villas 2 goals corers Corrigan and Delaney doing well for the away team.