SFAI CUP U13 Laytown Utd 3 – 4 Johnstown Fc
the Old adage a game of TWO halves was alive and well out at the coast on Sunday Morning, in possibly Phil & Joe’s team best first half ever, ‘’ footballing wise’’ JFC stormed to a 4 – 0 lead by half time.
Recent weeks sluggish starts were put to bed right from the start with some slick passing and quick forward movement. Ironic so that JFC took the lead when Cormac Walsh lobbed the keeper Beckham Style from the halfway line, a stunning goal. But we didn’t have to wait long for possibly that goal to be topped by Abraham who took on the full back and cut in to the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner , so hard it bounced back out of the net !
Soon after Abraham added a 3rd and Adam Murphy continued his scoring streak to make it 4 – 0. Finn Malone skilfully controlling some neat midfield play and Kian Merrigan’s engine had us well in control at half time.
All the right talk was made at halftime to keep the lads focused , but a change in in style of play in the second half with some long balls over the top to there Tall physical centre forward soon reaped rewards. To their credit the same play had Laytown not once , twice but three times back in the game 4- 3 in what seemed a blink of an eye. Pressure on and momentum with the home side it was time for some players to step up to the plate and they didn’t fail to deliver. Lee Fitzgerald and Jamie Byrne having been caught out with the change of attack against them , gained their composure and adapted their play to combat the attacks.
Patrick Warren and Jo Jo Hanningan also adding to the back four trying to regain a foothold in the game. Despite the switch of dominance in the early part of the second half we still had chances to put the game to bed and as the last 10 Minutue’s of the game ebbed and flowed back and forth in a game worthy of knock out cup football. The JFC Goal Keeper Oisin coming to the rescue with a stunning save at the feet of the on rushing Laytown centre forwards feet in virtually the last kick of the game. Never has a touch line been so relieved to hear the full time whistle , great game , credit to both side’s efforts and now on to the regional Semi Finals for Johnstown after a thoroughly entertaining morning out near the sea.