30 Sep Match Reports – 28/09/24
CYFC u13’s Youth 2 -1 St Mary’s
This weeks fixture was against our bitter rivals St Mary’s, its fair to say there’s no love lost when we meet. Our record against them isnt great, losing 4 times last season, including a final and when they showed up with last year’s trophy, the Lads had seen enough, now is the time to get stuck into them!
Both teams showed signs of early nerves and struggled to get any rhythm going but the Cookstown boys had probably the best few chances but couldn’t get that first goal we badly wanted.
Against the run of play it was St Mary’s who took the lead, a cross in from the right and mix up at the back seen them go 1 up. But the heads didn’t drop, they rallied round and dug deep and some nice link up play up the right seen Jamie get away from his marker then got deliberately fouled. Up stepped Zack to hit a wonder free kick from 25yards out, straight over the St Mary’s keeper into the roof of the net, just 3 minutes from half time too, 1 each at the break.
St Mary’s weren’t used to us matching them all over the pitch but as we said at half time we knew they would come at us, and they did, the defence stood strong Cathal, Riley Keegan and Reece and some great saves by Daniel again kept it level. The Town lads were creating some chances themselves but just couldn’t get the final delivery. But on the 57th minute, a wee chip by Zack over the top of the defenders head seen Jamie run onto it, he was 1 on 1 with the keeper, with the defender chasing him, this was it, our chance to finally beat st marys, the keeper came running at him, cool as you like he rounded the keeper and tapped it into the open net, 2. 1 Cookstown. 3 minutes left and the boys held tight to make it 3 wins from 4. Few shouts for man of the match this week, Daniel, Cathal, Caiden all had great games but were just pipped by DJ Liam Montgomery, played a new position today and done it really well, very impressive.
Next up for the Lads is another night under the lights, next Friday against Riverdale who are in good form too, all support welcome.
Squad: D. Pavel, R. Hughes, K. Kelly, R. Donnell, C. Devlin, L. Montgomery, C. Ohagan, C. Conway, Z. Nellins, J. Loughran, K. Kilgore, J. Donnelly, C. Sherman, C. Donnelly, N. Young, D. Kelly
CYFC u17’s MUYL 6 – 0 Oxford Sunnyside
After last week’s disappointing defeat at the hands of Dunnaman the u17s players and coaches were hopeful of a positive result against Oxford Sunnyside.
After a pretty even 10mins the Cyfc boys began to stamp their authority in the game trying to play quick passing pocession based football. It wasn’t until 20 minutes that Cookstown made the breakthrough when Donnelly’s quick free kick found Patterson in space and his inch perfect cross was met by Wilson first time to sweep the ball home to the joy of the traveling support.
From this point on Cookstown never looked back and it wasn’t long before it was 2 with Daniel’s Levsins curling effort from 20 yards out. Half-time 2-0.
The 2nd half and Cookstown knew that the next goal would be key and they didn’t have to wait long with Ben Gibson smashing the ball into the corner of the net from 8yards out .
The young Cookstown lads were now enjoying this and the back 3 of Mcmurdie, McMullan and Russo solid on the day, giving nothing to the Sunnyside strikers. Cookstown continued to dominate and Gibson added another after the gk couldn’t hold onto a Donnelly shot. Cassidy ,M Donnelly, Harkness and Ferguson all came on and Cookstown continued to turn the screw with Cassidy unlucky not to score with a header. Mota was working his socks of in midfield and a good passage of play from him an price found Harkness in space but the gk saved his shot well. At this point Oxford heads were dropped and Gibson capitalized adding 2 more to take his tally to 4 on the day. Full-time 6-0.
A good result for the u17s and we will be looking to kick on now and keep the momentum going. A home game against Lurgan Town next Saturday awaits.
Squad: Jorge , Mcmurdie , Russo , McMullan , Price , Patterson , J Donnelly , Mota , Wilson , Levsins , Gibson , M Donnelly , Cassidy , Harkness , Ferguson
CYFC u18’s 2 – 1 Ballymoney
For the first time in nearly a season and a half CYFC u18’s had a home fixture at MUSA Cookstown in the National League having played all their home fixtures at Meadowbank Magherafelt.
Despite a slow start to the game on the grass the young Whites created two fantastic chances for attackers Colvin and McGurk who were both thwarted by the travelling keeper after breaking clear of their markers. Those missed chances looked like they might come back to bite the young Sizzlers when Ballymoney took the lead after a quick break down their right led to the opening goal of the half on 20 minutes. But Cookstown’s newfound resilience and self belief this season was rewarded by a bullet header from defender Burton at the back post from a Donnelly corner 10 minutes from the break. The game finished 1-1 at HT.
Into the second half the game became a midfield battle with both teams failing to get any real control of proceedings. A wonderful chance for the homesters fell to striker Burns who was again thwarted by the impressive Ballymoney keeper. As the game progressed wing back Loughran shone against the Ballymoney full back providing good movement and crosses down the right. McGurk had another half chance denied before winger Quinn latched unto a wonderful free kick from McKenzie to hit Cookstown’s second with minutes remaining. Ballymoney threw everything including the kitchen sink at the Cookstown goal but keeper Murray pulled off two great saves to give the White’s their fifth straight win and remain the top of the National League.
Squad: C. Murray, H. McKenzie (c) , L. McMurdie, J. Burton, C. Loughran, J. Quinn, J. Donnelly, C. Cichero, J. Colvin, R. Burns, E. McGurk, G. Russo, C. Talbot, J. Wilson.