Match Reports – 13/01/24

CYFC u10’s Colts 2 – 2 St. James Swifts

On Friday night Cookstown Youth Colts U10 made there Sbyl debut vs St James Swifts at the Blanchflower Stadium Belfast.

Cookstown Youth got off to a positive start in the match with some fine passages of play, and always looking to play forward to try and penetrate the St James Swifts defence. Captain for the night was James Lennox who in the centre of Midfield lead by example with commanding runs forward and also tracking back to help with his defensive side of his role. Caleb in goals when called upon showed great handling skills and great distribution and calmness. William, Logan and Jude put in a fantastic shift in defense, working together as a unit and sniffed out several St James Swifts attacks with great timing tackles and communication skills. Adam, Philip and Pippa caused St James Swifts endless problems in Midfield. Using the width of the pitch when attacking they thrived upon several 1 vs 1 situations and played several fantastic balls into the box. Reuben playing as our striker may not have scored, but his determination to keep in a ball which everyone thought was going out for a throw, lead to Cookstown’s first goal. He spotted James Lennox making a bursting forward run and James effortlessly finished by the St James Swifts keeper. This pair linked up again in the 2nd half which was a recreation of the first goal to put the Colts 2-0 ahead. To St James Swifts credit they kept working hard and scored 2 quickfire goals to level the match 2-2 which was the final score.

Coaches Chris, Stevie and Andy were delighted with the team’s debut in the Sbyl. The work rate and desire in attack and defence was very pleasing with so many positives to take from the game. Thanks to all the parents for taking the kids down to the Blanchflower Stadium.

CYFC u10’s Youth 6 – 1 Antrim Soccer Academy

Friday night saw the return to the SBYL for the u10 Youth team as they faced Antrim Soccer Academy at Blanchflower Stadium.

The game got off to quite a slow start from our boys, who then found themselves 1 nil down inside the first 5 mins with a well taken goal from Antrim SA. With our lads finding it hard to get any rhythm going, Antrim continued to press for their 2nd goal but Zach Johnson & Jack Kilpatrick kept the score at 1 nil with some brilliant defending. With 10 mins gone our lads began to settle and the midfield players started to get a hold of the ball and press for an equaliser. A lovely corner from Ruairi Kelly found the feet of Kyle Chambers who found the back of the net to make it 1-1. Goal 2 soon followed, with Jenson Bell winning the ball in midfield, who played the ball out wide to Ruari who then played a great ball down the middle for Kyle to get his second of the night. Antrim, who themselves were playing some excellent football almost got their equaliser only for Harris Hill to rush of his line to make a fantastic save to keep it at 2-1 going in at half time.

The 2nd half started well for Cookstown with a goal each for Ruairi and Ryan MC Cullagh. Cookstown at this stage now were playing some excellent football with some great link up play from Adam Toal & Jenson in midfield and Luke Fearon working tirelessly up front with Ryan playing some great football. Antrim continued to battle on looking another goal but could not find a way through the formittable duo of Zach & Jack at the back. A good kickout from Harris found Adam in midfield who played in Kyle for his hat-trick, much to the delight of his mum Emma, who’s cheering drowned out the aeroplane’s taking off at the nearby George Best Airport. With the game more or less over the lads started passing the ball around and created a few more goal opportunities with Luke & Ryan coming close. The last corner of the game Ryan found Luke who tried a back heel into the goal which then found Kyle who pounced for his 4th of the game (yes 4). An excellent all round team performance and a easy man of the match choice this week in Kyle Chambers. Up the road with another 3 points.

CYFC u18’s 1 – 0 Foyle Harps

Cookstown had to deal with a lot of direct attacks from the Derry based team in the early stages but coped easily and soon were asking a few questions at the other end. They took the lead after 10 minutes with Peter McClean firing in a low shot which spilled out and Jamie Kerrigan applied the finish. Jac McKnight sent in a great cross from the right but no one could get on the end of it.

Foyle Harps started the second half on fire but the Cookstown back four of Aren Kudrenko, Josh Burton, Harry McKenzie and Benas Keturakis just about kept them at bay and gradually grew as an attacking force. Tom Wilkinson put in some excellent tackles in the midfield area which allowed his team to gain possession and from one of these counter attacks Sean Og Shields sublime flick sent Aaron Whitten clean through but a last ditch tackle saved a certain match clinching goal. Cookstown came under serious late pressure as one effort skimmed the crossbar and Josh Burton toe poking the ball away with the Derry striker about to pounce.

Cookstown held firm for an emotional victory and credit to both teams as the game was played in competitive but good spirit throughout.

Squad: Ethan Gordon, Aren Kudrenko, Josh Burton, Harry McKenzie, Benas Keturakis, Tom Wilkinson, Peter McClean, Jamie Kerrigan, Aaron Whitten, Jac McKnight, Sean Og Shields, Jude Murphy, Leon Martin