24 Mar Match Reports – 22/03/25
CYFC u13’s 2-1 Dromore Amateurs
Saturdays game seen us back at Kernan playing fields for a match against Dromore. Dromore were the last time team to beat us way back in November, since then our Lads have went on a great run of 10 games unbeaten, winning 9 and drawing 1.
Our Lads struggled to get any sort of rhythm going and were far from our usual selves.
Both teams looked very nervous of each other and weren’t creating much in the final third and it was all even at the break.
Dromore were starting to get on top of us in the second half and its was only for some good goalkeeping by Daniel that kept it all square, that was until Dromore striker was given too much space at the edge of the box and hit one high into the top of the net, 1 nil Dromore.
That goal seemed to spark a bit of life into our Lads and we then put them on the back foot. We were desperate not to lose our unbeaten run and hoped to sneak even a draw. Some nice passing between our Lads seen kyle race away and go 1 on 1 with the keeper and slot it neatly into the corner, 1 each with 4 minutes left!
Dromore were rattled and our Lads were full of adrenaline, should we sit back and take a point, no chance. We pushed on for the winner, we got a corner in the second minute of injury time, it was whipped in by Cillian it fell in the 6 yard box and the bounced down to kyle who banged it home to seal the win! Super mentality from the Cookstown Lads, they dug in and got the job done and continued their fine form.
Man of the match today was Keegan Kelly, showed good leadership at the back and hit a few crunching tackles, well done skipper.
Next up is our biggest game of the season, a semi final of the knockout Cup with Armagh, who caused a big cup upset in the quarters. Our lads will be trying to get to get to the final for the second season in a row
The game is next Friday night, 6.45pm at Drumcoo 3g, all support is welcome.
Squad: D. Pavel R. Hughes K. Kelly L. Montgomery C. Devlin J. Donnelly C. Donnelly C. Conway Z. Nellins N. Young K. Kilgore D. Kelly
CYFC u18’s NL 2-2 Institute
Last Friday evening the u18’s made the long trek to Greysteel 3G to face league contenders Institute in the Premier Section of the NIYFA.
The absence of Donnelly and Elechi left the squad light in options for manager Nigel Donnelly against one of the top teams in the Premier group.
Institute flew out of the traps from the first whistle causing Cookstown all sorts of problems with their movement and technical ability. They went close on several occasions and eventually took the lead on 20 minutes through an error in the Cookstown box.
Loughran and Talbot went close with two great chances in response but a deflected shot from the edge of the box off a Cookstown defender led to Institute’s second on the stroke of halftime.
Cookstown gathered themselves and tried to curb Institute’s attacking moves. Substitute Edwards-Schweiso had an immediate impact with his long throw into the box eventually landing to Talbot who thundered home from 12 yards – game on.
Cookstown went long with their play with Institute struggling to cope with the White’s direct style and unnerving their defence after Talbot’s goal.
A succession of fouls on midfielder Mota led to a free kick from captain McKenzie with his effort deflecting in off a Stute defender with 15 minutes to go. Quinn then drove over the bar with both Talbot and Burns going close with chances. Stute then saw an effort sail over the bar as the game finished all square at 2-2.
A fantastic effort by the young Cookstown squad to fight back into the game and nearly snatch it right at the end.
SQUAD: N. Ferson, C. Loughran, L. McMurdie, H. McKenzie (c), J. Ferson, J. Quinn, J. Colvin, D. Mota, E. McGurk, R. Burns, W. Edwards-Schweiso.
