18 Mar Match Reports – 16/03/24
CYFC u14’s 3 – 1 Riverdale
The Cookstown lads got off to the best possible start with the opening goal scored after three minutes. It came after great link up play between Mc Gurk and Loughran, on the left hand side, with the latter whipping the ball in for O’Hare who’s first effort was blocked but the midfielder steadied himself to volley in the rebound. This had the boys tails up and they went looking more goals, straight from the kick off. Loughran, Hampsey and Martin all going close but only to be denied by resolute defending from Riverdale. Cookstown dominated the entire first half with the midfield three of Rogers, O’Hare and Dobson snapping into tackles and pushing their team forward at every opportunity. Despite this dominance, it wasn’t until the half hour mark they doubled their lead. Compton, at right back, surged forward with the ball & fed Martin, he then worked the ball inside to Dobson who floated ball into the Riverdale penalty area but their centre half missed his clearance, allowing Loughran to punish this mistake by calmly slotting the ball home.
Second half saw a rejuvenated Riverdale come out and be very direct but the Cookstown backline were more than a match for anything they threw at them. Centre back pairing of Keane and Compton were very impressive and in both full backs (L.Compton & Mc Gurk) Cookstown had a real threat going forward. The third goal was a great team goal, Martin skipped past a few challenges, bringing the ball infield before feeding Loughran out wide left, he worked a lovely one-two with Hampsey before cutting the ball back for O’Hare on the edge of the box. Everyone in attendance was expecting him to drive the ball goalwards but instead he played a clever backheel, leaving Riverdale’s defence & goalkeeper helpless, to the onrushing Martin who rifled it in! Excellent goal. The lads had several chances to extend their lead, only for poor finishing and good goalkeeping stopping them.
A lapse in concentration saw Riverdale get their goal on the hour mark, ball was lost in midfield and this left defence exposed & despite O’Hagans best efforts the attacker made no mistake. This left for a nervy last ten minutes but boys dug in and seen out the result. A really impressive performance all round from the boys, bar a 5 or 6 minute spell they dominated the entire match. Few lads not at 100% but put in a serious shift regardless.
Squad: Benjamin Neville • Luke Compton ©️ • Andrew Keane • Matthew Compton • Colm Mc Gurk • Caleb Bell • Tommy O’Hare • Brooklyn Dobson • Hayden Martin • Conall Hampsey •Aodhan Loughran • Ruairi O’Hagan • Lewis York • Tyler Rogers
*Next week the lads are in the quarter final of MUYL Plate vs Ashgrove Rovers. Time & Venue TBC