23 Sep Match Reports – 21/09/24
CYFC u17’s MUYL 1-2 Dunnaman
Once again the u17s found themselves on the road again, this time the venue was in Woodlands Park Gilford to face Dunnaman. After a good performance last week the coaches and players were in confident mood going into this game.
The Cookstown boys started the game very well ,dominating pocession of the ball and creating cances on goal , after 5mins Wilson played a delightful ball into Price who drove into the box and forced an exceptional save from the Dunnaman no1. As the half wore on Cookstown continued to control pocession with Talbot and Donnelly winning the midfield battle assisted by price and Patterson on the flanks . Mcelhatton found himself bearing down on goal and was in two minds if he should shoot or pass to Gibson for a tap in , unfortunately his pass just too far for Gibsons outstretched leg. A long punt upfield caught our defense out and their striker raced clear to slot past Tam in nets 1-0 . Once again Cookstown continued to dominate and Wilson forced a couple of saves from their gk half-time 1-0.
The half-time team talk was simple keep playing football and take your chances when they come. The 2nd half started the same as the first with the Cookstown boys dominating the ball without creating much in front of goal. A dazzling run from the half-way line from Donnelly beating 4 Dunnaman players with the gk forcing him wide but still managed to find Gibson in the box for a tap in to level the scores 1-1 . At this point Cookstown looked the more likely to go on an win the game but just like the 1st half a long ball upfield wasn’t dealt with and Tam sticking out a leg to concede the penalty to which the striker duly dispatched . Cookstown huffed and puffed but just couldn’t find a way through to get a equalizer full time 2-1 .
Was tough to take this one ,but once again missed chances proving to be costly . On the plus side some good passages of play and dominating pocession against a big physical side, on to the next one .
Squad: Tam , Russo , Mcmurdie , Ferson , Price , Patterson , Donnelly, Talbot , Wilson , Mcelhatton , Gibson
CYFC u18’s 3 – 2 Ballyclare Comrades
After three superb wins on the bounce, the young Whites travelled to Allen Park to face Ballyclare last Friday evening in the National League.
Manager Nigel Donnelly knew this was going to be a tough test for his Cookstown lads based on last season’s experience. Cookstown started the game well against the Comrades creating several half chances for forwards McGurk and Burns and attacking midfielder Colvin. But as the game progressed Ballyclare’s pace and power started to dominate phases of play with their rapid left winger spurning a great chance on 15 minutes. On 25 minutes a contentious foul on McMurdie was waived away by the ref when the Comrades defender powered home a header from a corner to take the lead. Comrades tails were up with them dominating possession and half chances up to halftime.
The game looked beyond the young Sizzlers when Comrades struck their second of their game early into the second half after Cookstown failed to clear their box on two attempts on 50 minutes.Grimes and Loughran were introduced to the fray with defender Burton pushed into midfield for an injured Colvin. This change by manager Donnelly proved inspired with Burton linking well with McGurk and Burns and winning several arial battles against the dominant Comrades defenders. Great play between the three attacking players created a chance for McGurk who found the back of the net on 57 minutes – game on. Then it was the Burton show as Cookstown went for the jugular. With 10 minutes remaining McGurk was pulled back just outside the Comrades box by the last defender resulting in a free kick and red card. From the free kick Burton pounced on a loose ball in the box for the equaliser.
With minutes remaining great work between the 3 attackers found Burton free on the edge of the box. He danced round the Ballyclare defender before thundering home the winner to the glee of the travelling Cookstown supporters. Four wins out of four with eleven scored and two conceded – Ballymoney at MUSA up next.
Squad: N. Ferson, J. Ferson, H. McKenzie (C), L. McMurdie , J. Burton, J. Quinn, J. Donnelly, C. Cichero, J. Colvin, R. Burns, E. McGurk, C. Loughran, R. Grimes