Match Reports – 09/04/22

14 Apr Match Reports – 09/04/22

Posted at 14:10h in General News by

CYFC u14’s 1-3 Maiden City

Last Saturday the 2008’s finished their season in the NIBFA National League Division One away to Maiden City at Lisneal College. Cookstown started nervously against Maiden who dominated early possession with Benjamin Patterson in goal making a couple of smart saves from distance.

An obvious offside decision was shockingly waved away by the ‘local’ referee on 12 minutes as Maiden plundered the opener in utter disbelief to both travelling coaches and supporters.

Striker Kelso then tested the home keeper from the edge on 15 minutes after good work from captain McKenzie and James and Brendan Mulgrew. McCrory and McElhatton were working hard up front to try and create chances but it was Maiden who doubled their lead after a through ball found their winger who deftly slotted home just before halftime.

In a reshuffle up front for the Blues, McElhatton found space and time to get Cookstown back into the game on 45 minutes after good work from Russo and McCrory from the right. Cookstown now had their tails up with Talbot going close before another controversial moment from the referee.

McCrory looked to have plundered the equaliser only for the ref to determine the whole of the ball hadn’t crossed the line on 55 minutes again to everyone’s amazement. Jack Patterson came on as a substitute on the left with him and full back Price trying to create something down the left hand side. Mulgrew, Long and Irwin all went close as Cookstown pushed and pushed for the equaliser. But as they pushed Maiden broke free down Cookstown’s right to capture their third goal in the game.

A disappointing end to the season with everyone questioning two key decisions after the final whistle.

It’s been a really tough season for the 2008’s in many respects but particularly in the two serious injuries to both Jake Donnelly and Jake Ferguson. Hopefully both players will fully recover over the pre-season period and be ready for next season.

I would just like to thank all the lads and our wonderful parents for all their support throughout the season come rain)hail and shine. With only 5 defeats over the season over the two leagues I think the lads have performed fantastically well with a great future ahead in the National League.

A big shout out to our manager Nigel Donnelly and coach Jack Turkington for all their hard work and total commitment over the last 12 months for CYFC and the 2008’s.

And of course Senior coach Stevie Hunter who has helped develop the boys so much and helped make them NL players.

TEAM: B. Patterson, G. Russo, E. Long, E. Irwin, J. Price, A. McElhatton, J. Mulgrew, H. McKenzie, B. Mulgrew, C. McCrory, I. Kelso, C. Talbot, J. Patterson.