18 Jan Match Reports – 07/01/23
CYFC u15’s 2-0 Oxford Sunnyside
Last Saturday the u15’s got 2023 off to a flyer with a fantastic home victory over Lurgan based Oxford Sunnyside in the opening round of the NIBFA National League Cup.
After a couple of weeks off celebrating Christmas, the Blues started brightly on the grass pitch at Fairhill with several good passages of play between Donnelly, Mulgrew, McCrory and Kelso in the last third. As the half moved on Sunnyside grew more into the game with their powerful striker proving a handful for McKenzie and Long in central defence. Home keeper Patterson was forced into two fantastic reactive saves before a tremendous pass from Burton fed in Mulgrew to thunder home the opener on the half hour. Two minutes later McCrory saw a great chance blocked in a last ditch tackle from the Oxford defender. 1-0 HT.
Into the second half it remained a dogged affair with both defences dominating proceedings with Russo and Ferson having great games at full back for the young sizzlers.
Good work from Mulgrew down the right eventually led to a free kick 5 yards from the Oxford box with 20 minutes remaining. Once again Burton showed his free kick prowess against Oxford with a stunning left footed drive into the roof of the net to double Cookstown’s lead.
McElhatton, Talbot and Price all came on to replace tiring legs with Talbot going close minutes after coming on. Captain McKenzie superbly marshalled the back line in the dying minutes with Kelso up front providing a great out ball as Cookstown deservedly went into the draw for the next round of the cup.
A nice birthday present for manager Nigel Donnelly on the day.
TEAM: B. Patterson, G. Russo, H. McKenzie, E. Long, J. Ferson, C. McCrory, J. Donnelly, J. Burton, B. Mulgrew, J. Mulgrew, I. Kelso, A. McElhatton, C. Talbot, J. Price.