Under 14A Report – Palmerstown Rangers 5 Greystones 1

Our Under 14A team were under the "kosh" today as they faced into a battle for survival from relegation.

From the start this was a good game of football and both teams were guilty of missing clear scoring chances. However as half time approached a quality delivery from Stephen Johnston on the right found Ian Kavanagh, as the keeper dived at the striker’s feet, Kavanagh coolly rounded him to place the ball into the net, 1-0 to Rangers at the break.

Manager Vivian Jackson offered lots of encouragement to the lads at half time and got the desired response from the boys. The half was only 4 minutes old when Brian O’Toole slid a ball into the path of the oncoming Ian Kavanagh who slotted number 26 of the campaign and his second of the game.

Greystones upped their game and with some superb passing moves came close on a few occasions to reducing the arrears. The Rangers defence stood firm with Niall Jackson in commanding form and Eoin Daly coming into form in midfield with some crucial tackles. The aforementioned Daly could have scored soon after as Kavanagh set him up from the right but pulled his shot wide of the target (but he did manage to nail a crow that was perched on a pillar 10 yards wide of the goal!)

Brian (Jose) O’Toole was guilty of missing a couple of good chances on 21 minutes after good work from Kavanagh but he did make amends by setting up Kavanagh for his hat-trick and the clinching goal of the game. Ian was to extend his match tally to a magnificent five following a goal-keeper error who threw the ball straight to the home striker’s feet followed by a through header from Ronan Flynn to allow Mr. Kavanagh convert goal number 30 for the season.

A frustrated Greystones lost their composure at this stage and some ongoing dissent led to a flurry of yellow cards and three Greystones players were sent for the early shower by the referee. The "Greystones 8" held on and scored a cracking individual goal but the day belonged to ace marksman Ian Kavanagh and the Rangers team who consolidated their position in the 14A League.