29 Oct Match Reports – 16/10/21
CYFC u12s 2 – 3 Castle Juniors
Visiting team started the brighter of the two, applying the pressure right from the kick off. Cookstown’s defence were marshaling things well up until a speculative Juniors cross into the box was surprisingly spilled by the Cookstown goalkeeper, this left an easy tap in for the striker.(1-0)
The Youth boys started stringing few more passes together and began to grow in confidence as the half went on. A little spell of sustained pressure resulted in Cookstown getting a couple of corners back to back but it was from their own corner that the second goal was conceded. A rapid counter attack saw Juniors, left with another easy tap in, after great wing play down their right. (2-0) The lads didn’t drop their heads and soon pulled one back from a direct free kick, scored by Hayden Martin. (2-1)
Second half saw a similar pattern to the first, Castle Juniors dominating possession but Cookstown being dogged and standing up to it. Castle’s 3rd goal came halfway through 2nd half, neat finish into bottom left hand corner left O’Hagan no chance. Conall Hampsey pulled one back with minutes remaining, again, from a direct free kick. This set it up for a grandstand finish but it wasn’t to be for the Cookstown lads and Castle proceeded to the next round of the NIBFA Cup, worthy winners.
Team lineup: Ruairi O’Hagan • Adam Mc Aleer • Andrew Keane • Jonah Davidson • Tyler Rogers • Shea Conway • Aodhan Loughran • Hayden Martin • Orann Timoney • Calum Walshe • Conall Hampsey • Matthew Compton
Player of the Match – Adam Mc Aleer
CYFC u14’s 3-2 Tristar
Last Saturday the Blues entertained Tristar at a misty Beechway in Cookstown in the NIBFA National League. The young Sizzlers started positively after a good run of recent results with striker Beatty going close on 12 minutes. Mulgrew saw a good effort well saved 3 minutes later before McElhatton and McCrory forced a fabulous double save from the travelling keeper. Patterson in goal made his first big save of the game on 24 minutes when the Tristar striker powered clear of the Cookstown defence. A quick break counter attack from a Tristar corner saw a drive from Long blocked on the line by a defender’s hand leading to a red card and penalty. Unfortunately a delay by the over exhuberant ref led to Beatty striking his pen over the bar.
Beatty went just wide with a header on 37 minutes before Mulgrew’s shot ended up in the Tristar keepers arms. Beatty then tested the keeper again with another effort before a powerful run by the Tristar forward delivered the opener on 42 minutes. A superb pass from Mulgrew was met by McElhatton on 46 minutes as the Blues responded to falling behind. Beatty then had two great chances in quick succession before a sublime finish by McElhatton settled the home side down.
Mulgrew and Wilson both had good chances before substitute Talbot reacted first in the box to snatch Cookstown’s third of the game. Irwin and Redford entered the fray before Tristar struck a consolation right at the end from a free kick. Ards at home in the second round of the NIBFA Cup next Saturday. 3-2 FT
TEAM:- B. Patterson, J. Ferson, E. Long, H. Mckenzie, J. Price, A. McElhatton, J. Donnelly, I. Kelso, B. Mulgrew, C. McCrory, D. Beatty, J. Wilson, C. Talbot, E. Irwin, E. Redford, J. Patterson.