23 Oct Match Reports – 21/10/23
CYFC u18’s 0 – 1 Moyola Park FC
Last Friday evening the u18’s faced high flying Moyola at Allen Park Antrim in a local derby in the NIBFA National League.
Cookstown found their feet quickly and moved the ball really well in windy conditions, with wingers Kudrenko and De Campos finding space and linking well with striker Murphy and attacking midfielder McLean. Murphy shot just wide of the left post on 20 minutes after clipping the ball over the Castledawson centre half. Moyola grew into the game showing good pace up front on the break but stand in keeper Keturakis was well protected by the back four of Devlin, Martin, McKenzie and Burton.
Arguably the pivotal moment of the game came when Burton’s shot from a corner on 25 minutes saw the Moyola defender clearly hand the ball on the line and prevent a certain goal only for the referee to waive play on. A resulting penalty and likely red card probably would have had a strong bearing on the final score line.
A great through run by substitute Og Shields saw another chance go begging just before halftime.
Moyola stepped up a gear after a stern team talk with Whitten and Donnelly in midfield having to work really hard in and out of possession. Moyola missed a great chance from a headed corner on 45 minutes with Keturakis considerably more busy in the Cookstown goal than in the first half.
The Moyola keeper then made a fantastic save with a point blank shot from Og Shields. Substitute McKnight then forced another good save at the back post on the hour mark. Minutes later good work from McLean then produced a good chance for De Campos whose half hit shot from the edge was gladly snaffled up by the Moyola keeper. Two minutes into injury time Moyola’s speedy attacker outpaced two Cookstown defenders and produced a good cross for their number 11 to drive home from 10 yards and the unlikely winner right at the death. Heartbreak for the young Whites and supporters. A home fixture to Armagh City in the cup next weekend.
Squad: B. Keturakis, S. Devlin, H. McKenzie, J. Burton, L. Martin, A. Kudrenko, J. Donnelly, A. Whitten, D. De Campos, P. McClean (c), J. Murphy, S Og Shields, J. McKnight.