09 Apr Match Reports – 06/04/24
CYFC u14’s MUYL 6 – 2 Riverdale
All the talk before the weekend’s football was of Storm Kathleen and how she would affect fixtures, Kathleen couldn’t stop this one from going ahead. There was only one storm that blew through Drumcoo this Saturday morning and they were decked out in all navy! The Cookstown lads dominated possession for the entire first half. The midfield three of Conway, Rogers and Dobson assuming total control in the middle of the pitch, recycling the ball if forward pass wasn’t on and releasing the front men when it was. First goal came in the eleventh minute, after a wonderful twenty yard, defence splitting pass from Rogers released Timoney in on goal and he made no mistake with the finish.(1-0) Ten minutes later and it was two, this time Mc Gurk from left back linked up brilliantly with Loughran, exchanging passes before finding himself twenty five yards out from goal. He dummied with his left before cutting in and unleashing a fierce strike with his right which flew past the Riverdale keeper. (2-0)
In the second half the boys played against the wind but continued to keep control of the game and five minutes in it was three nil. A beautifully driven corner from Conway was despatched by Timoney, he rose highest at the back post to finish with a bullet header. (3-0) There was no let up for Riverdale as Cookstown lads were looking for more goals and got their fourth less than ten minutes after the third. This time Timoney turned provider. After great forward play from Davidson, this saw him receive the ball from Bell in midfield, hold off the centre half, spin and slip in Timoney out wide, he then whipped a first time ball across the Riverdale box and Martin was on hand at the back post to slot home. (4-0) Five minutes later and it was five nil, Timoney picked up the ball thirty yards out and drove forward with the ball before letting fly, leaving Riverdale’s keeper no chance, completing his hat-trick and moving onto twenty goals for the season.(5-0) Riverdale pulled two goals back in quick succession but the backline could not be faulted on the day. They were starting every attack and dictating when and where these would come from whilst dealing with anything Riverdale threw at them. Both full backs bombing on and creating overloads in wide areas, causing serious problems for Riverdale. The centre half’s showing real composure on the ball but also being aggressive without it, a real mature performance led by a vocal keeper behind them. Heads didn’t drop and with five minutes remaining Martin got his second and Cookstown’s sixth of the day. Again, Davidson with a brilliant pass to unlock Riverdale’s defence. He dropped short, receiving the ball from O’Hare on the half turn and played a perfectly weighted pass between the centre half and full back which had Martin in on goal. He calmly lofted the ball over the onrushing keeper before wheeling away in celebration. (6-2)
This result puts the boys into their second final in as many seasons, where they’ll hope to better last year’s result and get their hands on some silverware. Final to be played Saturday 27th April at Lurgan Town Football Club.
“The boys were excellent from start to finish today and this was one of the most complete performances we have seen from them to date. Riverdale always pose a threat with their physicality and directness but they couldn’t get near our lads at times, they were in total control. There was a real maturity in every aspect of today’s performance, from keeper right through to the forward line. Few boys disappointed not to make starting eleven and rightly so as they’ve all been pushing hard in training but massive credit to them, they got behind the team and were very effective when coming off the bench.” Ryan Martin
Squad: Benjamin Neville •Luke Compton •Andrew Keane •Matthew Compton •Colm Mc Gurk • Brooklyn Dobson •Shea Conway •Tyler Rogers •Aodhan Loughran •Orann Timoney •Hayden Martin •Jonah Davidson •Caleb Bell •Tommy O’Hare •Lewis York •Ruairi O’Hagan •