Young Offenders started the game very slowly and were punished for the lacklustre beginning when Catenaccio striker Luca scored a very early goal to put his side 1-0 up.
The Young Offenders didn’t react, and the lack of energy continued throughout the half. They couldn’t get into the game and found themselves 2-0 down at the break when Luca doubled his tally towards the end of the half.
Falling Further Behind
After the break, Young Offenders brought on Harry Johnson and Billy Johnson in an effort to get back into the game and despite Billy gaining his team more possession, creating a few chances and Harry having a few shots they couldn’t change the Young Offenders fortunes in the game.
Shortly into the second half, Luca completed his hat trick when he got behind the defenders and slotted his effort past Henry Thurman in goal.
Catenaccio’s main man Luca was a constant thorn in the side of the Young Offenders defenders and scored a fourth and fifth goal in short succession half way through the second half, when his efforts were far too accurate for Thurman to save.
Catenaccio’s central midfielder continued the scoring when he had a shot parried into his path, three yards out for an easy tap in to make it 6-0
Consolation Goals
With the score at 6-0 and the game out of the Young Offenders hands, Catenaccio slightly stepped off the gas and this allowed Young Offenders to create a few chances with Harry Johnson having his effort saved onto the post and Fergus O’Sullivan seeing his shot go wide of the post.
This increased pressure was rewarded when Louie Ramsay headed home a cross from O’Sullivan to score a consolation goal for his team and his third of the season.
With Young Offenders constantly attacking in an effort to limit the damage, they were caught on the counter attack which allowed Catenaccio winger Angelo to score his sides final goal of the game to take all three points.
In the final moments of the game, Young Offenders scored a second goal when Finn Walsh went on a solo run past three defenders and fired home from long range to make the score 7-2, which is how the game finished.
Consequential Loss
This defeat means that the Young Offenders can no longer win the league, with third being their best possible finish with only two games remaining. Whereas Catenaccio are now level on points with first place Stoke Azzo who they play in their next game in a title-deciding clash.
Edited Gregg Baxter
