22 Nov Match Reports 20/11/2021
CYFC u14’s 1 Oxford Sunnyside 7
Last Saturday the 2008’s came crashing back down to earth in the NIBFA Cup to an excellent Oxford side from Lurgan.
After a dazzling victory away to Don Boscos in the National League the previous Saturday, Cookstown fancied their chances of progression to a team in the Lisburn League.
Unfortunately Cookstown’s preparations were hampered with three players including keeper Benjamin Patterson missing.
Midfielder Isaac Kelso bravely dawned the gloves in his absence making several excellent saves throughout the game. Despite a fantastic 30 yard run and finish from striker Daniel Beatty, Sunnyside raced into a 4-1 lead by halftime.
Things didn’t improve much for the young Sizzlers in the second half. They were limited by a shot from Bruce Lennox, a saved effort from Jamie Ferson from 10 yards and a couple of long distance frees from Beatty, with Oxford striking another three goals without reply and comfortably through to the next round.
A bad day at the office for the boys hampered by the loss of three players against a slick and ruthless Oxford side.
TEAM:- I. Kelso, J. Ferson, E. Long, H. McKenzie, E. Irwin, C. McCrory, B. Lennox, J. Donnelly, B. Mulgrew, C. Talbot, D. Beatty, J. Patterson.
CYFC under 16 (0) – Maiden City (4)
NIBFA Cup (Round 2)
Venue : Vale Centre, Greysteel
A rather cold and blustery Saturday morning saw the Under 16 team travel to the Vale Centre to
taken on Maiden City in the second round of the NIBFA Cup. The Cookstown lads started brightly
against the much fancied National League team holding their shape and defending the early
pressure well. The Defensive line up of Kerrigan, Neeson, Devlin and Martin looked strong and
worked as a unit. Despite the best efforts the home team took the lead after 18 minutes. Some nice
link up play down the left wing provided an opening, a nice pass into the box was latched onto by
the striker leaving Keturakis in goal with no chance of stopping the shot. The goal seemed to give the
CYFC lads a bit of a boost and there was some very nice link up play in the middle of the park by
Whitten, McClean, Barry and Devlin. There were a number of shots on target and Peter McClean was
very unlucky not to open the account with a shot from 20 yards that just went over the bar. While
pressing for the equaliser the Maiden City team were able to counter and a well-timed cross into the
box was despatched with ease extending their league as the half time whistle went.
With some strong words of encouragement at half time from Manager McMullan and the
introduction of McHugh, Kudrenko and Bell gave the lads an extra burst of energy. Kudrenko in
particular was proving a real handful down the wing with a real turn of pace that Maiden defence
couldn’t handle. They were however unlucky to concede a further goal with some nice link up play
from Maiden City down the left wing. They did create some chances of their own and James Bell
looked dangerous on a number of occasions having recently just returned from injury. The game
was effectively over with five minutes remaining as Maiden City made it four and will progress to the
next round away to Bangor.
Squad – Benas Keturakis,Leon Martin, Sean Devlin, Luke Neeson, Jamie Kerrigan, Tom Wilkinson,
Ciaran Devlin, Aren Whitten, Peter McClean, Jamie Barry, Jude Murphy, James Bell, Aren Kudrenko,
Darragh McHugh.