BALLYER BOWLED OVER

St Kevins 9, Ballyfermot Utd 0

MATCH report will follow here shortly.

FIRST POINTS DROPPED

SKB 0-0 HOME FARM

In what was a typical local derby in Ellenfield Park, Home Farm took the short trip back to Whitehall with a very fortunate point, the first point that has been taken off our lads all season. The game was always going to be tight considering we'd beaten them 5-2 in the VEC. We knew that Home Farm would raise there game, as is usually the way when teams come up to face the top sides. SKB dominated for the majoruty of the game and while creating many chances, failed to convert any of these, which caused many headaches for the coaches as given the scoring records so far it was almost expected that at least one chance would be converted. However it wasn't to be, and in the dyng minutes, a timely interception from Cathal Culligan prevented the visitors from stealing 3 points. This excellent tackle was crucial as not only was Cathal backtracking, but he was also left 2-on-1, having to fend off two Home Farm attackers. best chances on the day fell to Sean Ryan and Stein Sheridan. And so the game ended, with Home Farm the happier of the two teams, and it must be a testament to the quality of our side to see the celebrations that followed from the visiting team and support and lets not forget, this was the first game in over 15 for both sides that the opposition has kept a clean sheet (Lets hope that trend doesnt continue for too long!!) The local derby also saw Brandon Curtis make a long-awaited return from a serious injury, and his introduction in the last few minutes was on of the positive notes for the management.

P5 W4 D1 L0 F18 A6 PTS: 13

R

FIRST PAID SKB PLAYER

Congratulations go to young Sam Ennis form the Sunday team, who's 3 lucky numbers came up in the Klotto, which won him €5,800. Hopefully this shows parents and players the importance of contributing their weekly subs, as if Sam had not paid that week he would have been unable to claim his prize. And many thanks to his dad for contributing some of the winnings to the squad in order to get some new gear!!

UNITED THUMPED

Malahide 0-6 SKB

Another tough game for the Sunday team, this time in the form of Malahide, who had given the Saints a tough run in Ellenfield park. The windy conditions in the ground before kick off led to the coaches opting for a strong, battling formation to play against the breeze in the first half, with the foresight that if the game was still tight at half time we would be able to introduce certain players who would be able to take advantage of shooting with the wind behind their strike. And it turned out that these tactics were absolutely spot on. A tough first half saw us create many chances going forward, but also saw some players called to do a bit more work than usual, and in fairness to the players, they done their job excellently. David O'Hanlon had an excellent first half, doing exactly what was asked of him, by coming out of the middle to look for the ball and to help link up the play between both wingers. At half time, we moved Joe up front, who done wel, to earn a penalty, which he confidently converted to make the breakthrough. Stein was introduced onto the left wing, given direct instructions to get in and hastle their defenders and to shoot on sight. This was done to perfection, as within 2 minutes of the restart he had won the ball off the right back and had rocketed the ball into the top corner. 2 more goals, one from Robert Dunne, which he didn't seem to know much about(He was running out of the box as Stein let fly, it appeared to be going wide until it deflected off the inside of his leg) but as anybody will tell you, they all count!! Joe Manley netted another with 5 minutes remaining and Stein completed his first competitive hat-trick with a 3rd cracking strike... So the 100% record was maintained emphatically and lets hope it keeps going next weekend!!

P4 W4 D0 L0 F18 A6 PTS:12

PHOENIX FIRE PUT OUT

SKB 5-1 PHOENIX

If this game was due to be the biggest test for the Saturday team, then surely the passed it with flying colours following this fantastic footballing display. As, it was Phoenix who were the only team to have taken points off the lads. It was a glorious morning for football with the sun shining, a nice cool breeze, and the pitch in a perfect condition. This performance from the lads must match any other perfomance by any other team in the league. It had the perfect mix of great attacking, great defending and some excellent passing. Things started brightly for the team and it wasn't long before the lead was taken when, following some great interplay, and some fine fancy footwork by Josh Anyaegbunam, led to an opening for Jamie Casserly with which he took full advantage and put us into a 1-0 lead. More good teamwork led to a cracking crossfield pass from Josh to Jamie O'Brien and he finished with a sublime right footed strike which rocketed into the far bottom corner. The lads then went fully in control of the game with another goal from Jamie C, and a smart follow up strike from Paul Pettigrew, who pounced on the ball after the Pheonix goalkeeper made a good save from a Jordan Brady free-kick. Phoenix did grab a consolation goal after their striker capitalised on a short kick out from Ian Brunton. And not to be outdone, Jamie Casserly bagged his hat trick just on the full time whistle with a great shot which dipped just below the crossbar and over the goalkeepers head. So a cracking performance by the Saturday team sees them take sole lead of the A1 league, having won 5 and drawn 1 from 6.

P6 W5 D1 L0 F35 A7 PTS:16

COMEBACK KINGS

Tolka Rovers 3-4 SKB

This game will go down as one of the best games ever witnessed by all those in attendance. Not having played for 2 weeks beforehand didn't aid our team, as we found ourselves 1-0 down early on to one of the softest penalties that has been given by a referee. Things didn't get too much better when Tolka raced into a 2 goal lead after some poor defending from our lads. However things started looking up when David O'Hanlon was put through on goal and bagged a sublime lob over the keeper from 25yards out. But soon after, Tolka were awarded a second penalty by the man in the middle which they coverted, making it 3-1 at the break. Our lads were given a fairly strict teamtalk at half time and told that they had to start getting into the game, because if they played the football which they can, then it would have only been a matter of time before we got back on top. And it wasn't long into the second half when a great team move saw Stein Sheridan bag the goal which woke us up again, and rattled Tolka. With less than 5 minutes left it was Sean Ryan's turn to grab the game by the collar, when he smashed in a 3rd goal for the Saints, making it a 3-3 thriller. However, things got even better when SKB were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds, which Jamie Casserly stepped up to take, and............................missed!! But all was not lost, when Joe Manley curled in a 20yard screamer which sent the away line into great scenes of celebration!! And as Tolka tipped off they had one more chance when the ball scrambled into the box, but there was the ever improving Ian Brunton to smother the ball and end the danger. Following that kick out the full time whistle was blown, and our unbeaten streak continued..

P3 W3 D0 L0 F12 A6 PTS:9