U17 Passage 3 Youghal 1, Wed. Sept 17th 2014
U17 Passage 3 Youghal 1, Wed. Sept 17th 2014
Passage came into this league match with one good win, one close win, and a loss – against Evergreen – that should have been a win.
On a balmy evening in Rockenham, they got off to the perfect start against Youghal, scoring in the first minute. A lovely through ball from Sam Mealy was taken in his stride by Joe Bintou and curved round the keeper into the corner of the net.
That, unfortunately, was all the excitement the team had to offer for a while as Youghal enjoyed a period of sustained pressure, though for all their possession and the amount of time they spent in the Passage half, they had no goals to show for it.
Kevin Byrne was solid at the heart of the defence, making some great clearances and organising those around him.
Eventually Passage got back into the game, retaining control of the ball with some slick passing. In attack they showed that Youghal were vulnerable at the back. In one move Craig Crowley jinked his way past two defenders and hit a rasper of a shot that the keeper managed to keep out.
Youghal had their chances too, and played some nice football. Near the end of the half Joe Brown fired over a cross from the right and Matthew Scannell, haring into the box, did it justice with a great downward header. 2-0 to Passage.
The re-start saw both sides creating chances. In one move Maciek Jany won the ball in midfield, and slipped it to Joe Browne, who was unlucky not to score.
Then Youghal attacked, one of their players hitting the crossbar from distance. Passage came back, again showing their superiority with some quality play. Craig Crowley receiving a pass on the edge of the Youghal penalty area, saw the keeper advance, and chipped him to score the goal of the match.
The goals could have kept on coming, Mohi Parata and Cian Fleury getting numerous chances to stretch the lead. But luck wasn’t with them, and the Youghal keeper did well by coming off his line to make it that much harder.
Youghal did get a goal, but the result was never in doubt. Passage gave hints of what they are capable of when they get into a rhythm. A little more consistency and they’ll be a real force in the league.
