CYFC u17’s MUYL 4-1 Portadown
The u17s had a 10am ko at Brownstown Portadown on Saturday and Coaches Donnelly and Warwick were keen to keep the winning run going but knew that this was no easy fixture.
However Cookstown started very well dominating the ball and creating a couple of half chances for Talbot and new signing Nani but Portadowns defense was equal to everything. Portadown did start to come into the game a bit without troubling our defensive trio of Mcmurdie, Russo and Ferson supported by Jorge in goals.
With 10mins on the clock Talbot opened his account for the day after a fine move, Donnelly feeding Nani and his cross finding Talbot who made no mistake from 6 yards out . Just Five minutes later it was 2-0 , Mcmurdie with a lovely header from a pin point cross from Donnelly.
Cookstown at this stage were in cruise control and their gk pulled of a great save from Price who found himself bearing down on goal.
Out of nowhere Portadown got a goal back after Jorges clearance fell at the feet of their Striker who duly dispatched 2-1 half-time.
2nd half and Cookstown were having to work hard with a rejuvenated Portadown pushing to get the equalizer. Cookstown however were continually knocking on the door aswell but often that final pass just letting us down .
10mins left on the clock and Talbot put the game to bed after he broke clear of the defense and found the roof of the net 3-1.
Cookstown continued to turn the screw and Patterson was unlucky not to get on the score sheet when his shot rattled the crossbar , another new Signing Trevonn did manage to find the net with his lovely shot 25 yards out giving their gk no chance 4-1.
Credit to Portadown they kept on going and never gave up but this was Cookstowns day who were continually asking questions of the Portadown defense. Cassidy did get on the end of a cross but couldn’t direct his header on target , final score 4-1.
Squad: Jorge , Mcmurdie, Russo, Ferson , Ferguson, Price , Patterson, Cassidy , Mota , Donnelly , Wilson, Trevonn , Nani , Talbot, Mcgirr
CYFC u18’s 0-1 Don Bosco’s
Last Friday evening CYFC u18’s made the short trip to Meadowbank 3G in Magherafelt to face National League leaders Don Bosco’s.
With two games remaining before the league split before Christmas, manager Nigel Connelly knew a home win or possibly even a draw against the runaway leaders could promote the young Whites into the top section.
A tweak to the normal team setup by the homesters set the tone in a cagey opening 20 minutes with both defences dominating and nullifying both attacks. Both teams eventually created a couple of decent chances each with Burns stinging the travelling keeper’s hands from distance and nearly latching unto two superb crosses from Quinn and Burton from the left.
Into the second half great runs and passes between McKenzie, Loughran and Colvin caused Don Bosco’s a few problems. A great pass from Cichero almost played in Burns whose extra touch ended up being blocked in the box.
Don Bosco’s continued with their long ball play to their powerful striker and tricky wingers and with 10 minutes remaining a half cleared ball found their left winger free who squared to an onrushing attacker to thunder home the opener from 12 yards.
Cookstown threw caution to the wind pushing substitute Talbot into an attacking three with Burns and McGurk but it was all to little too late in a game where a draw would have been a better reflection of chances created and overall play.
Home to Limavady next week in a must not lose fixture before the split.
TEAM – N. Ferson, H. McKenzie (C), L. McMurdie, J. Burton, C. Loughran, J. Donnelly, C. Cichero, J. Colvin, J. Quinn, R. Hughes, E. McGurk, C. Talbot, G. Russo, D. M. Mota.
