Match Reports – 09/10/21

29 Oct Match Reports – 09/10/21

Posted at 18:48h in General News by

CYFC Colts U11s v Top of The Hill – Defeated in penalty shootout 

A trip to Derry City was to end in cruel disappointment for this hardworking and talented squad.

The Colts dominated the first half, the backine of T Gormley, R Rushe and R Cooke keeping the home team at bay. The midfield of E McElhatton, T O’Hare and J Mulligan controlled the midfield and passed their way around in the opposition half. Chances were opening up, and following a good passing move, T O’Hare surged inside the box and then cut the ball back for E Montgomery to smash home. 

The 2nd half remained the same as the Colts pressed for a second goal but the ball just wouldn’t fall for the dangerous attack of J Mulligan, M Ward and E Montgomery. Despite many corners and free kicks, the scored remained 1-0. TOTH opted to just kick the ball long to the Colts half without any real threat. However, with 6 minutes remaining a throw-in deep in the Colts half slipped behind the defence, the ball bounced unfortunately for goalkeeper R Watters, and was knocked in at the back post. 

With no extra time, the match went to penalty kicks. 

TOTH scored the first but E Montgomery’s well struck effort was saved by the keepers knee -1-0 TOTH

TOTH then missed their second, but a fine M Ward penalty to the left corner was saved by the keeper’s feet. 

Riley Watters then showed his heroics when saving low and denying TOTH a 3rd, followed by RRushe thumping home for the Colts to make it 1-1 after 3 pens each. 

TOTH scored their 4th penalty, and J Jeffers coolly slotted the ball into the left corner to make it 2-2. 

TOTH scored their final penalty to lead 3-2, and a well-hit penalty by T O’Hare, who done everything right, was saved dramatically by the feet of the TOTH keeper to steal victory from the Colts who had never looked like losing the game.

The Colts now look forward to the Plate and will no doubt get better luck than they did today.

Team; R Watters; R Cooke; T Gormley; R Rushe; E McElhatton; T O’Hare; J Mulligan; M Ward; E Montgomery. Subs C McKeever/ J Jeffers / W Redford/ H Jordan    

CYFC u14’s 3-2 Oxford Utd

The young sizzlers faced what looked on paper a tough opener to their NIBFA Cup campaign in the form of Oxford Utd from the National League.
On the 3G at MUSA, Oxford raced into the lead when a powerful header from a corner flew past Cookstown keeper Patterson from the tall striker in the opening 5 minutes. Oxford nearly doubled their lead 3 minutes later when a powerful shot from just inside the area struck the woodwork with Cookstown’s defence struggling to clear their lines. Striker Beatty then went on a jinking run beating three men before slotting home the equaliser past the advancing Oxford keeper on 11 minutes. A mistimed tackle from a Cookstown defender in the box gave Oxford a great chance to go ahead on 22 minutes but keeper Patterson blocked the ensuing penalty with his right foot to keep Cookstown in the game. Just before halftime a quick break and sharp finish gave Oxford the lead they probably deserved – 2-1 HT.
In a game of 2 halves Cookstown came out with all guns blazing when Mulgrew scuffed a good chance just wide from 12 yards after a great cross from McElhatton from the right. Beatty then pulled a half chance just wide on 40 minutes after good work from Donnelly, McCrory and Kelso in midfield. Patterson then pulled off another fine save on 50 minutes before Long glanced a superb Donnelly corner just wide at the back post. Mulgrew tested the Oxford keeper with a stinging shot after cutting inside from the edge on the hour mark before Beatty hit the deserved equaliser 3 minutes later when Oxford failed to clear on several attempts. Beatty had another chance well saved before Kelso fired home the winner from 30 yards with 7 minutes remaining. Oxford pushed hard for an equaliser but the back four of Irwin, Long, McKenzie and Price were resolute to the final whistle.
A hard fought but deserved win for their second half efforts against an excellent Oxford side. Ards at home in the second round in a fortnight.
TEAM: B. Patterson, J. Ferson, E. Long, H. McKenzie, J. Price, A. McElhatton, J. Donnelly, I. Kelso, B. Mulgrew, C. McCrory, D. Beatty, E. Irwin, J. Wilson, C. Talbot, E. Redford, J. Patterson.

Castlecaufield  2-2 CYFC u15s

Cookstown were favourites to continue their great recent form but form went out the window in the first half as defenders Alex Dallas, Charlie McElkearney, Nathan Bloomer and Corey Loughran got stretched with a makeshift midfield of Eoghan McGurk, Thomas Greaves, Lorcan McMurray, Alex Clements and Jamie Colvin failing to fill the gaps in front of the back four. Castlecaufield deserve credit though for two great strikes giving Nathan Hughes little opportunity to save. A free kick from Lorcan McMurray sqeezed in at the far post to provide Cookstown with a renewed hope.

Cookstown were fortunate to still be in the game although everything changed in the second half as Cookstown began to boss the game with in particular Alex Dallas, Jamie Colvin, James Brownlow and Lorcan McMurray playing a high energy and direct style which their opponents found hard to curtail. James Brownlow showed blistering pace but shot straight at the keeper and just as time was running out a moment of magic from captain Eoghan McGurk as a similar free kick to that from the opening goal went in off the post to bring the sides level. A pulsating finish saw Castlecaufield almost steal victory with a good effort shaving the bar though Cookstown were now rampant and could have scored from a sucession of corner kicks. A great point for the boys as they showed a strong mentality to bounce back from a poor start.