SPWFC 0 Naas United FC 2
Goals from Dean Bowers and Baba Issaka proved enough for Naas United as they saw off the challenge of St. Patrick’s Well at Old Bog Road on Sunday to seal their place in the KDFL Senior Division Shield final.
After a night of torrential rain, the conditions underfoot – on what is a surface usually highly conducive to good football – were somewhat heavy at the Clongorey venue. However, that did not deter Naas from making a bright start to the game that saw them take a well-deserved lead on 15 minutes when Dean Bowers nodded home after Kelvin Dennan’s rasping effort rebounded off the crossbar and into his path.
Bowers’ opener served as a wake-up call to the hosts who soon began establishing a foothold in the possession stakes and tightening their rein on the Jigginstown-based side’s attack with Gary Hunt and Marc Dowling marshalling their back four well, whilst still giving offensive freedom to full-backs Marvin Mbala and Shaun Walsh who were attacking down the flanks at every opportunity.
The home side’s approach play was proving effective but their final ball did let them down at times. Nonetheless, they were unlucky not to draw parity before the break when Higor Santos and Jamie Headon combined well to set Sam O’Neill away down the right wing and cross for Danny Callan who just failed to put the finishing touch on a fine move.
St. Patrick’s Well continued where they left off after the break by continuing to push hard for an equaliser but were dealt a sucker punch as Naas doubled their advantage courtesy of a stunning free-kick from distance from former Kildare County defender Baba Issaka that nestled in the far corner and left Nathan Fitzharris with no chance in the home goal.