Keane proves the difference
Killian shines for Ashford
ASHFORD ROVERS B RATHNEW AFC 2 0
A well taken double from Killian Keane was enough to see Ashford Rovers B crowned the Under-12s A3 Wicklow Shield champions as they defeated Rathnew AFC 2-0 at Travers Insurance Park on Sunday morning.
Throughout the game, there would be little to separate the teams as they both enjoyed good spells of pressure.
It was Killian Keane’s early goal for Ashford that proved to be too much to overcome as their defence held strong throughout the game.
The goal came only seven minutes in following end to end action.
Jack Gill picked up the ball just outside the Rathnew area and slid a beautiful through ball in for Keane to run on to.
Keane latched onto the pass and tucked the ball away with great composure to give his side the early lead.
After conceding the goal, Rathnew started to dictate play as the team went in search of an equaliser.
Jack Byrne found himself with space and time on the ball at the edge of the Ashford box but his finished trickled just wide of the post.
Next, it was Jordan Brady who came close for Rathnew, but his effort was well saved by Nicholas Horbko.
Just past the twenty-minute mark it almost looked as if Rathnew had levelled things up.
The ball was swung into the Ashford box and bounced just in front of an unmarked Brady. Brady’s shot came off the outside of his boot, hit the inside of the right post and bounced along the goal line before it was cleared.
At the other end Toby Murphy forced Rathnew goalkeeper Scott Doyle into a diving save following a well-struck freekick from outside the box.
As the second half went on Rathnew looked the more likely to score as they played lovely passing football throughout the midfield.
Despite their endeavour, they were continuously met by walls of rock-solid Ashford defence and both teams went into the break with the score remaining 1-0 to Ashford.
After the break, it was all Ashford as the team looked to extend their lead in the final.
Five minutes into the second half, Murphy hit a cracking half volley from 20 yards which looked like it was heading in but for tremendous goalkeeping from Doyle who managed to tip it over the bar.
A minute later it looked for certain that Keane would secure his brace as he went through one on one against Doyle. Again, it was tremendous goalkeeping from Doyle that kept his team in the game, as he rushed out and spread himself well to deny Ashford a second.
Keane looked to turn provider next when he dribbled down the left-wing and pulled the ball back dangerously across the Rathnew goal. The cross came to Jack Conyard who struck the ball cleanly, but his effort was just wide.
Against the run of play, Matthew Kavanagh almost grabbed a late leveler for Rathnew, however, his driven shot scraped the post as it went wide.
That would prove to be the last chance for Rathnew in the game as with a minute to go Keane buried another goal from inside the box and the game was effectively over.
In the end, it finished 2-0 to Ashford Rovers B as they were awarded the Under-12s A3 Wicklow Shield.
Despite the loss, Rathnew should also be commended for their part in a highly competitive and highly entertaining shield final.