16 Sep Match Reports – 14/09/24
CYFC u13 Youth 2 – 1 Rathfriland
This weeks game was a night under the lights for the Town lads. A 7.30 kick off at Annagh, something new for us.
We knew it was going to be a tough game, but having been knocked out of the League Cup last season by Rathfriland it was a chance to get one over them.
Both teams started well and were creating a good few chances, but both keepers kept the score at nil-nil. Our lads were defending well too, Big Riley and keegan were strong in the centre not much getting through them. Both wingers, Liam Montgomery and Cameron Donnelly were getting good balls in but we couldn’t get that first goal.
A good clearance by Connor Sherman (who was making his first appearance) deep in our half seen Jamie run onto the through ball, knock it round the keeper and tap the ball into the open net to make it 1 nil. Rathfriland came close by rattling the bar but the Lads lead 1 nil at the break.
Rathfriland came flying out second half and it was attack after attack. The 2 centre mids Zack and Cillian were having a busy night both covered every bit of the pitch. Rathfriland equalised when we failed to clear, 1 each. All credit to our Lads they were under some pressure for most of the 2nd half, but they defended with alot bravery and fought as a unit. Two minutes from the end we finally got deep into the Rathfriland half, the ball was knocked in from the left, just to edge of the box were Zack was waiting who hit it first time on the half volley, and it felt like a lifetime before it hit the back of the net, 2-1 Cookstown, with 2 minutes left. Rathfriland were still putting pressure on but the boys dug in and held tight for a great smash and grab job, credit to Rathfriland a really good side, but more credit to our Lads, they rallied round and dug in and just wanted it more! 3 points and up the road, 2 wins from 2.
Next up another tough one, Ridgeway Mill, a team we’ve never played but going by what we know, they look good, but we know on our day we can mix it with the best.
Our man of the match this week was our ex goalkeeper and new centre half Big Riley (van dijk) Donnell, won everything in the air and tackled well. He has breezed into that position, well done Riley.
Squad: D. Pavel, R. Hughes, R. Donnell, K. Kelly, C. Sherman, L. Montgomery, C. Conway, Z. Nellins, C. Donnelly, N. Young, J. Loughran, D. Kelly, C. Devlin, C. Ohagan, K. Kilgore, J. Donnelly
CYFC u15 MUYL 3 – 2 Seapatrick Fc
A second win on the bounce for the Cookstown lads, this time a trip to Kernan Playing Fields to take on newly promoted Seapatrick Fc. Game started brightly for the town lads as Dobson & Rogers were driving them forward at every opportunity. Majority of the first half was played in the Seapatrick half but Davidson up top, had no clear cut chances early on despite Bell, Conway and Clements all seeing a lot of the ball in the first part of the game.
Seapatrick took the lead, against the run of play, when a long diagonal ball ricocheted off the Cookstown full back and fell kindly to the opposition striker who made no mistake from close range.(0-1) A deserved equaliser came only minutes later when Davidson finished off an excellent team goal. L.Compton played a one-two with Keane and then moved ball inside to Rogers who fed it wide to Clements and his first time through ball found Davidson who used his upper body strength to shake off defender and calmly slot ball into far bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper no chance.(1-1) A sublime team goal! (HT )
Again it was Seapatrick who drew first blood, in the 2nd half, this time their big #10 strolled through from midfield, completely unchallenged, leaving him one on one with Neville who had no chance once again. (1-2) The introduction of Quinn and Mc Gurk from the bench added some much needed energy and within minutes Mc Gurk got in behind the full back and forced the keeper into a great save. From resulting corner, Cookstown nearly equalised only for the goalkeeper to make two more excellent saves, first from Davidson and then Clements. It was only a matter of time before boys got their equaliser, this time it came from the penalty spot. Mc Gurk skinned the right back and drove into the box, only to be pulled back by the covering defender. Up stepped Rogers to score from the spot, keeper guessed the right way and despite his best efforts the ball spun back and trickled over the line.(2-2) This spurred the lads on and it was Quinn, whose drive and pace was causing the left back of Seapatrick serious problems. He received a great through ball from the midfield, knocked it by the left back and whipped in a pin point cross for the onrushing Rogers to head into top corner. (3-2) This left a tense finish to the game as Seapatrick pushed for the equaliser, very seldom did they get in behind though as resolute defending from Keane and M.Compton kept them at bay but the one time they did break the lines, Neville was out of his goal like a flash, to deny a certain goal, using his feet & bounced straight up to tackle the oncoming midfielder who thought he’d time to pick his spot but Neville had other ideas. Brave goalkeeping from the Cookstown #1. Lads held on and seen the game out, two wins on the bounce for the boys, with great football on display today again
POTM – J.Davidson
Squad: •B.Neville •L.Compton •A.Keane •M.Compton •E.Mc Elhatton •B.Dobson •T.Rogers •S.Clements •S.Conway •C.Bell •J.Davidson •D.Quinn •C.Mc Gurk •H.Martin
CYFC u17 MUYL 2-1 Lurgan Celtic
After the disappointing defeat last week the u17s were keen to get their first points on the board but knew they would have to be at their best with a tough trip to Lurgan to face Lurgan Celtic.
The Cookstown boys started the game very well ,getting the ball down and playing some good attacking football with the front 2 of Talbot and Gibson causing the Lurgan defense all sorts of problems. It wasn’t long before Cookstown got their just reward when Wilson reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and he Cooley slotted the ball past the Lurgans gks outstretched left hand .
Cookstown continued to control pocession and create chances but often that final ball just wasn’t right to put the game to bed.
Cookstown did get their 2nd with a good finish from Talbot after good work from Donnelly and Gibson 2-0.
With Cookstown 2-0 up they seemed to take their foot off the gas and credit to Lurgan they started to create a few chances of their own without troubling Mcelhatton too much in goals. 2-0 half-time The 2nd half Cookstown knew that a third goal would kill the game but it was Lurgan who got a goal back after a great strike leaving Mcelhatton with no chance.
A pretty even 2nd half with both teams going for it, Gibson chipping the gk from 30 yards out but just going past the post.
Ferguson and Cassidy entered the fray adding much needed fresh legs to the team.
Last 10mins and Lurgan were really going for it but massive credit must go to the back 3 of Mcmurdie , Russo and Ferson who were fantastic on the day and equal to everything that Lurgan threw at them. Final score 2-1.
Brilliant to get the first win for this new look team against a big physical team. And we’ll done to the boys for keeping their heads after some meaty tackles in the closing stages of the game
Squad: Mcelhatton, Mcmurdie, Russo ,Ferson ,Price ,Patterson , Motta , Donnelly (c) , Wilson , Gibson, Talbot , Cassidy, Ferguson
CYFC u18’s 5 – 0 Culmore Youth
After opening wins against Moyola and Top Of The Hill Celtic in the NL, Culmore Youth were up next at Meadowbank for the young Sizzlers of Cookstown.
The Blues were straight out of the traps when good work between Ferson and McGurk opened the door for Burns who unfortunately miscued his shot wide in the opening 5 minutes of the game. Ferson and captain McKenzie linked well down the right flank creating several half chances for McGurk and Burns up front and combining well with Donnelly, Cichero and Colvin in central midfield. A headed effort by McGurk was latched unto by Quinn at the back post who superbly looped his header over the onrushing Culmore keeper to take the lead on 15 minutes. Culmore responded with a long punt upfield which fell to the speedy striker who shot just wide minutes later. Just before halftime good work between Cichero and Colvin led to Quinn being upended in the Culmore box and a penalty which he superbly dispatched – 2-0 HT.
The coaches demanded a third to finish the game off as a contest early in the second half and were duly rewarded by a fantastic finish by striker Burns on 50 minutes. A few minutes later Colvin matched that effort with a thunderbolt into the roof of the net as Cookstown took control of proceedings. A great run and finish by Quinn produced his third of the game and the Blue’s fifth as Cookstown ran out deserved victors.
Loads of goals and another clean sheet from the back line superbly marshalled by young keeper Nathan Ferson. Ballyclare up next.
Squad: N. Ferson, H. McKenzie (c), L. McMurdie, J. Burton, J. Ferson, J. Quinn, J. Donnelly, C. Cichero, J. Colvin, E. McGurk, R. Burns, C. Loughran, R. Grimes, G. Russo.