16 Feb Match Reports – 12/02/22

CYFC u12 Colts defeated Loughgall

Magic Montgomery’s double delight for Colts 

The final group game for the Colts needed a patient approach against a competitive Loughgall side. The Colts created problems on the right flanks winning several free kicks bout no real goal threat resulted. C McKeever and E McElhatton kept the centre of the pitch well marshalled, and J Mulligan and T Gormley created the threats on each wing. Despite good possession, in the strong wind it was difficult for the Colts to get a clear chance on goal. The defensive duo of R Cooke and R Rushe held a solid line catching the Loughgall strikers offside on many occasions. A long range cross field pass by RRushe found T Gormley who crossed to M Ward but the Loughgall centre backs were quick to shut out any possession near their penalty area. The Colts had not yet found their passing game but worked hard as a team to keep in control of the match. 

Second half, the Colts introduced J Jeffers to the centre of midfield to add his abilities. A midfield tussle resulted in M Ward pouncing on the lose ball to play a first time through ball perfectly for the pacey E Montgomery to latch onto. He broke from 20 yards out and couldn’t be caught as he took a couple of touches before slotting the ball into the far left corner leaving the keeper with no chance. The Colts then dominated the remainder of the game from here. Pressure from J Mulligan robbed the right back of the ball who then fouled Jake just on the edge of the box. The resulting free was struck by J Jeffers – hitting the outside of the post. Man of the Match Riley Watters was reliable as ever and when needed to come off his line was always first to the ball.  J Hamill and Djorkaeff entered the fray and really boosted the Colts display with well-timed tackles and linking up well with the front two of Montgomery and Ward. 

One of Loughgalls few shots on target was a direct free kick on the edge of the box. It was struck with venom but Riley Watters leapt across for a wonder save to keep Colt’s 1-0 up. A timely interception by John Hamill cleared the danger and the opposing keeper played short but the switched on Montgomery intercepted the pass, quickly controlling and lobbing the keeper from outside the edge of the box, a super finish to seal the points for Colts.  Making it 4 games unbeaten and another convincing win. Colts finish second in their group just 1 point off Cookstown Youth and look forward to the quarter final of the cup draw. 

Team: R Watters, RRushe, R Cooke, T Gormley, j Mulligan, C McKeever, EMcElhatton, M Ward, E Montgomery, J Jeffers, Djorkaeff, J Hamill 

CYFC u14s 2-2 Oxford Utd

Last Friday night the 2008’s made the long trip to the Vale Centre in Greysteel to face Oxford Utd in NIBFA Division One.

In awful wet and windy conditions u14’s captain McKenzie won the toss for the Blues and took full advantage of the conditions when Russo plundered his first goal for the club driving home through a melee of players on 6 minutes. Cookstown kept up the pressure with the wind on their backs with speculative drives from Donnelly, Mulgrew and McElhatton. As both teams adapted to the elements Oxford carved out several half chances as the game moved on equalising from a corner on 25 minutes. Cookstown needed to regain the advantage of the wind and did so from a poor Oxford keeper kick out just before halftime. Striker McElhatton controlled the loose kick out to deftly finish into the bottom right hand corner to finish the half 2-1.

Into the second half it was all players to the pump as Cookstown now had to deal with the high winds and rain in their face. Cookstown started well with good work between Ferguson, McCrory and Mulgrew creating a half chance for McElhatton. As the game progressed the back five of  Patterson, Russo, Long, Irwin and Ferguson had to work extremely hard to withstand the Oxford pressure. This pressure led to a succession of corners with Oxford equalising on 50 minutes. Both teams struggled to create chances for the winner. Mulgrew saw a great strike curl just wide on 60 minutes before Price and Talbot came on to replace tiring legs. Patterson made a couple of saves from distance as the game finished 2-2.

A real fighting performance from the young sizzlers in terrible conditions against one of the contenders for the league with special thanks to Stevie Hunter for helping out on the sidelines on the night.

TEAM:- B. Patterson, G. Russo, E. Long, E. Irwin, J. Ferguson, J. Ferson, J. Donnelly, H. McKenzie, B. Mulgrew, C. McCrory, A. McElhatton, C. Talbot, J. Price, J. Patterson.