SOCCER: EA SPORTS U19 NATIONAL UNDERAGE LEAGUE
Jonny The Hero For Klub Kildare
KLUB KILDARE: 3
WEXFORD FC: 2
By Daire Walsh
JONNY Adedeji struck a 75th minute goal at Maynooth Town FC on Sunday afternoon to earn Klub Kildare all three points against Wexford in the EA Sports MU19 LOI Academy League.
Without a win since getting the better of Waterford FC at the same venue on 30 July, this result comes as a much-needed morale boost for Kildare. It also helps to move them two points clear of CK United at the foot of the table after the basement side played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with the aforementioned Waterford at the SETU Arena earlier on the same day.
Although there was adverse weather on Sunday, the fact this game took place on Maynooth’s pristine astro turf ensured there was plenty of attacking flair on display from both teams. It was Wexford who offered the greater threat in the early exchanges, however, and they ultimately broke the deadlock on 16 minutes.
After Kildare goalkeeper Aodh Conway and the woodwork had denied Slaneyside skipper Evan Farrell, centre-half Kyle Foley was on hand to powerfully head a corner to the net. While this was a blow for the hosts, it took them just two minutes to get back on level terms.
From an enticing Ruairi Morgan delivery on the right-flank, Ryan Markey rose superbly to nod the ball beyond the reach of Wexford netminder William Hayes. This injected fresh life into the Kildare challenge and Hayes was subsequently called into action to turn away a Dean Owens shot just shy of the first-quarter mark.
Markey and Morgan had efforts in the 34th and 37th minutes respectively that missed the mark in agonisingly fashion, but Wexford centre-forward Jakub Wasilewski also went close at the opposite end.
Nevertheless, Kildare had grown into the game on home soil and this was reflected in the fact that the Wexford management introduced Richard Lapite and Mark Imiren as substitutes for the start of the second period. Yet it was the home team who drew first blood on the resumption and in spectacular style.
Sizing up the target from all of 35 yards, Kildare captain Caden Walsh unleashed a sensational right-footed strike that left Hayes completely rooted to the spot. There was now a sense that maximum points were up for grabs and Owens had a couple of chances to double their advantage as the tie progressed.
Wexford were struggling to play with the same cohesion as they had at the start of the proceedings, but received a lifeline on 64 minutes when Karl Chambers was fouled inside the area by Adedeji. Farrell was a constant danger for the boys from the south-east and he coolly dispatched the resulting penalty into the top right-hand corner of the net.
Even though this meant the game was delicately poised moving into the final-quarter, Kildare were not to be denied. Matching the heroics of fellow full-back Walsh, Adedeji got on the end of a Kyle O’Connell pass and hammered the ball home from a right-hand angle to propel his side towards a precious win.
KLUB KILDARE: Aodh Conway; Jonny Adedeji, Sam Kelly, Egor Vassenin, Cadem Walsh; Callum Crowley, Kyle O’Connell; Dean Owens, Ruairi Morgan, George Ndebumadu; Ryan Markey. Subs: Vuyo Mosea for Ndebumadu, Stephen Odiashi both 65; Tofumi for Owens 80; Ogunsiakan Emmanuel for Adedeji 88.
WEXFORD FC: William Hayes; Kaylem Harnett, Ewan Russell, Kyle Foley, Daniel McGrath; Dylan Hunston, Karl Chambers; Sean Fitzpatrick, Eoghan O’Lionain, Evan Farrell; Jakub Wasilewski. Subs: Richard Lapite for Wasilewski, Mark Imiren for O’Lionain both 46; Robbie O’Toole for Fitzpatrick 77; David Holden for McGrath, Brandon Rossiter for Chambers both 85.
REFEREE: Darragh White.