Hard earned 2 nil win for Rearcross U-15 Boys

Rearcross U-15 Boys welcomed Killavilla ‘A’ to Rearcross FC Grounds last Thursday evening for this league fixture played under lights. The early exchanges were well contested and it was the visitors that had the first effort on goals when Ciaran Matthews latched on to a loose ball but the shot was just off target. Rearcross were starting to grow in to the match as Jonathan Dawson’s free kick found Liam O’Dwyer who was luckless to see his effort go just left and wide. Rea kept the high press as Jonathan Dawson set Conor Nolan through on goal but Killavilla custodian Jack Ryan advance to smother the danger. The Roscrea side were also having their moments with Darragh Reynolds in the Rearcross goal gathering a Lorcan Nolan delivery from distance, while at the other end Jonathan Dawson chased down a block on the Killavilla keeper but the ball drifted wide. Rearcross took the lead when Killavilla’s defence didn’t clear their lines effectively and Patrick Carr took full advantage with a beautiful finish from the edge of the box. The hosts were on top after this and a Conor Nolan run saw him whip in a dangerous ball as the in-rushing Liam O’Dwyer was unlucky with his effort. The Rearcross defence was immense during this period to quell all that came their way. Conor Nolan had his strike saved and then Jonathon Dawson pulled a double save out of the visiting keeper who was by far the busiest of the two keepers. Killavilla tried to play the ball out from the back, but strong pressure from Conor Nolan, Ciaran McLoughlin and Patrick Carr saw the latter play Jonathan Dawson in, but the strike was just wide.
A well drilled Killavilla outfit with three of their players on the NTSFL U-14 squad, came out with all guns blazing in the second half, but met stiff resistance from the Rea boys with firm tackling to the fore. Jonathan Dawson forced a fine save out of the Killavilla custodian after James Costello drilled the ball up the line and then Conor Nolan’s effort was gathered by the away keeper. It was end to end for most of the second half as Rearcross tried to get a second and Killavilla searched for that elusive equalizer. The woodwork came to the rescue for the Villa Park side when Jonathan Dawson’s free kick from out on the right was forced on to the crossbar by Shane Lee, before the ball was cleared. The incessant pressure from Rea was driving Killavilla to concede a lot of frees in midfield and it was from one of those dead ball deliveries that the Slieve Felim side sealed the win, when Jonathan Dawson’s free kick from the middle of the field broke to Ciaran McLoughlin who finished from close range to secure an important three points for Rearcross.

Rearcross U-15 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Jack Hickey, Matthew Ryan, Stephen Ryan, James Costello, Ciaran McLoughlin, Micheal Collins, Patrick Carr, Conor Nolan, Jonathan Dawson, Liam O'Dwyer
Subs: Cathal Hickey, Conor McInerney. Shane Lee

Killavilla United ‘A’: Jack Spencer Ryan, Jacob Nolan, Luke Marks, Lorcan Nolan (Capt), Cillian Moloney, Jack Nash, Kelly Egharevba, Ciaran Matthews, Billy Rooney, Joey Moloney, MJ Quinlivan
Subs: Devin Feehan, Harlei Loughnane, Sam Kenneally

Referee: Robert Mandrila

Report by Shane Reynolds

Jonathan Dawson's free kick clips the Killavilla crossbar