BANDON A. F. C.

Clon AFC Youths vs. BOYS U12 WCSL

Mar. 13th 2010

The boys under 12 west cork side continued their good form in the league as they pulled off a 3-2 victory away to Clon.

Bandon started poorly though. They were sloppy in the opening minutes as they persistently lost possession too easily. This led to the first goal of the game as Bandon’s failure to clear the ball properly from a long Clon ball allowed the Clon striker to slip in behind the Bandon defence and he finished in cool style to make it 1nil to Clon after 12min. This was far from a disaster though as after this, Bandon seemed to wake up. They began to keep possession better and were winning the ball well in midfield from the goal kicks with Rhys Earl working his socks off right across the midfield as per usual. Bandon could not get a clear chance to equalise though. Jack Lang was working tirelessly up front making some great runs but after 3 bad fouls had been inflicted on him, he was forced to come off with injury. This was a blow to Bandon as he was certainly Bandon’s best player in 1^st half.

In the second half, Bandon made a few changes to their system. Shane Creag Piper came on for Lang and went in at left back. Jordan McCarthy happily switched in alongside O’ Mahony at the center of defence. This allowed Lee Holland to move up front. Lee’s job was simple, get us goals!!! He obliged and within 5 min, Bandon were level. A ball over the the top bounced up invitingly for Holland and his neat header looped over the keeper and into the back of the net. 1-1 and game on!! A few minutes later and Bandon were in the lead. A brilliant clearance by McCarthy found Holland and he slotted the ball home along the ground. It went in despite the best efforts of the Clon keeper who got a touch. Bandon hit a third when Lee Holland found some space outside the box. He was all of 25 yards out but his powerful drive found the top corner. An unstoppable shot to finish off his hat trick. 3-1 now and with 8 minutes to go Bandon looked safe. Clon pushed and pushed for a goal to make it a good finish but Bandon defended well. In the last kick of the game a Clon midfielder hit a great goal to make it 3-2. That was how it finished and here’s to hoping Bandon can continue their unbeaten run next weekend away to Togher.

Team:

Dylan Shiels, Jordan McCarthy, Joe O’ Mahony, Lee Holland, Ryan Twomey, Cian O’ Connell, Dan O’ Mahony, Rhys Earl, Cian Harrington, Jack Lang, Luke McCarthy

Subs:

Aran Burnes, Shane Creagh Piper.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Lee Holland( Lee was also WCSL player of the week) Well done Lee.

Kilmicheal vs. Boys U12 WCSL

FEB. 13TH 2010

With Bandon�s performances improving game by game, they were well up for this away tie hoping to come out of it with a result.  It was a very scrappy game at the start with a lot of the play happening in the midfield but it was an even contest with both teams creating half chances. Bandon were told going into the game that there defence would have to be much tighter and they stuck to their task well. They were very solid at the back with a tremendous performance from Joesoph O� Mahony at center half. Unfortanetly, Bandon�s defence were caught out twice in the last 5 min of the first half. 2-0 Kilmicheal at half time. The second half was a disaster as Bandons heads completely dropped and they conceded a further 6. This was not helped by the Ref awarding the opposing team 3 penalties in the second half. One though was brilliantly saved by Dylan Shiels. It was a bad day for Bandon but lets hope they can pick themselves up for the next game. Best for Bandon was Rhys Earl.

Boys U12 WCSL vs. Leeside

FEB. 7TH 2010

The lads entered this game on the back of an encouraging performance against top of the table Skibb a week before where they held a one nil lead for a long period of the game. Bandon started well, creating 2 chances in a matter of minutes early on. A powerful shot was saved well by the Leeside keeper who parried over his crossbar. From the resultant corner, Joeseph O� Mahony rose well to head the ball onto the back-post where Rhys Earl was waiting and his looping header bounced off the cross bar before being cleared by the Leeside defence. Bandon continued to press but were caught badly on the break as Leeside countered well. Bandon were caught twice on the break and because they had been unlucky with their chances finished the half 2nil down undeservedly. Bandon came out in the second half all guns blazing but were again caught on the break. Heads began to drop and Bandon went 4 nil down. Finally a bit of luck went the home sides way when Dan O� Mahony played a nice ball through to Lee Holland who was in acres of space and he finished well to make it 4-1. Halfway through the second half, was it game on? One would think not but minutes later Dan O� Mahony was played through and he rocketed a shot into the top right hand corner to make it 4-2. With ten minutes left it was Bandon who were playing the better football and were finally starting to defend well. 2 min before full time, some good work by Jordan O� Driscoll set off Lee Holland who was uphended in the opposing box, a penalty was awarded. This was sublimely slotted home by the captain and man of the match(not for the first time) Holland. This made the scoreline 4-3 and Bandon raced to get the ball but not long after the tip off Referee John Reidy blew the final whistle. Although it ended in defeat, it was a much improved performance from Bandon. A bit of work on the defensive side of things and they could be a fine side. Best for Bandon were Lee Holland and Dylan Shiels

OCT 24^TH 2009

Leeside 5 – 0 Bandon U-12WCL

Bandon were looking forward what they hoped would be their 1^st away win of the season. They had trained hard for this one and were up for it. Unfortunately a disastrous day from start to finish ended in a 5 nil win for Leeside. It started with Bandon travelling with only ten players. 5 or 6 of the regular starters for the team had come down with the flu. It was going to be a very tough task for Bandon to get anything out of this game. The game started with both teams wasting possession in the middle of the park and giving the ball away very easily. It was after ten min though when Bandon’s makeshift defence was opened up and a nice finish made it 1 nil to Leeside. You would expect that a team starting with ten men would automatically fold and play as if they had absolutely no chance of getting a result but this lot of players showed tremendous attitude as they worked tirelessly to keep out the Leeside strikers whilst creating two chances on the break but they just couldn’t find the net. It looked to be going to half time at 1-0 but just on the stroke of half time, Bandon were caught out again, this time from a corner. The ball was floated in with the help of an extreme wind that was overhead. Bandon failed to get a head on it and it was slammed home at the back post by the unmarked Leeside player. A good finish but poor defending. Best for Bandon in the first half was most certainly Lee Holland who never stopped running and making tackles. The second half started with Bandon breaking down the Leeside defence with a good run from James McCarthy but his weak shot was easily saved. It was only seconds after and Leeside were awarded a dubious penalty to the anger of Manager Richard O’ Regan. 3-0 and the game was now well and truly over but Bandon kept fighting to maintain respect with Cian O’ Connell going in goal for the first time ever and making some terrific saves. They conceded 2 more goals but Manager of Bandon was very proud of his players for their effort. They played with 10men in stormy conditions whilst also missing key players because of illness. As the players said themselves, last year with eleven and a full squad, a result like this was very hard to gain. The positives were taken from this experience and Bandon will look forward to their next game where they hope they will not suffer the same misfortune.

STAR PLAYERS: Lee Holland and Cian O’ Connell

Starting team: C O’ Connell, S C Piper, Jor McCarthy, T Gifford, J O’ Driscoll, J Lang, James McCarthy, L Holland, J O’ Driscoll, I Forde

Bandon U-12's(WCSL)  2 - 8  Clonakilty AFC

NEXT GAME WILL BE AT HOME SO MAKE SURE TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE LADS!!!

This was the opening game of the West Cork Schoolboys League Division 1 for Bandon. 
Bandon entered this game on the back of a very hard season last year. 
All of that was put to bed with a fine performance against a very good Sullane side. 
Bandon started well creating a few early chances. Bandon looked sharp, impressing the 
handy sized crowd with their good passing. After a few early chances, the breakthrough 
came on 15min. Cian Harrington portrayed Ronaldo like skills on the left before 
unleashing a powerful low cross which eventually fell to Lee Holland who struck a 
tremendous shot which was palmed into the net by the Sullane goalkeeper. 
After that, Bandon sat back and were punished by a very well worked Sullane goal. 
Into the second half and Bandon again started the better side. There were plenty of 
chances for Bandon during the second half but they weren't getting that bit of luck 
they needed to put it into the back of the net. Sullane attempted to catch Bandon on 
the break a number of times but a fine performance from Jordan McCarthy at center half 
kept the Sullane strikers at bay. Both teams worked very hard throughout the game and 
coped well with the very warm conditions. 
After 52 min, it was Bandon who made the breakthrough. Great work from James McCarthy 
created the chance for Sub Jordan O' Driscoll who tucked the ball away nicely to the 
delight of the home crowd. Bandon defended extremely well for the last few minutes 
with Rhys Earl and Tristan Gifford doing well in keeping possession to maintain the lead. 
A great day for Bandon U.12's. 

Star players: Lee Holland, Jordan McCarthy, James McCarthy, Rhys Earl. 

Starting team: J Coleman, R Twomey, Jordan McCarthy, D O'Mahony, S Creagh Piper, 
R Earl, L Holland, James McCarthy(C), Cian Harrington, L Collins Nagle, L McCarthy
SUBS: Tristan Gifford, Jordan O' Driscoll, Jack Lang, Dylan Shiels