Match Report

The under 17 boys played St Aidan’s in the league final this week. They had met in the cup before Christmas and St Aidan’s had prevailed by a 4-3 scoreline in an evenly contested game, scoring their final goal in the last minute. So, the boys were anticipating another even game and a chance to gain revenge for the cup defeat.

However, the team had to face St Aidan’s with a depleted squad – Ethan Levins and Oscar Carruthers through injury, and Alex Otto with illness. Despite this, the squad showed it’s depth and mettle as they still gave St Aidan’s a very good game in this league final. The game opened at a fast tempo and St Kilian’s took a little time to adjust to the new players. They were beginning to settle into the game when disaster struck as St Aidan’s scored their opening goal from a deflected header from a corner. Matters worsened for St Kilian’s as they conceded a second goal shortly after but they showed great character to take the setback in their stride and roared back to score just before halftime. Stephane Weber flighted an excellent free kick and Charlie Twomey evaded his marker to coolly score a low volley to the bottom corner of the net.

St Kilian’s opened the second half brightly and within sixty seconds. Andre Otto, Marc Garrigos and Daniel Barker combined to create an opening for Hugo Heisterkamp but he pulled his low shot inches wide. St Kilian’s continued to press and their adjusted formation, together with a driven desire, were giving St Aidan’s some real problems. Andre and Hugo continued to work well upfront and Marc was linking well with Eoghan and Stephane in midfield. Half chances continued to come their way but their conversion into tangible goals proved elusive. St Aidan’s continued to be on the backfoot but they were threatening on the counter attack. On one such counter, with only seven minutes remaining,  disaster struck as a deflected shot went past keeper, Adrian Jesoniek, who had been performing with aplomb, denying the St Aidan’s forward with their long range shots. Whilst deflated, the team rallied and forced two corners before succumbing to another counter attack which sealed their fate and St Aidan’s lifted the trophy.