14 Oct Match Reports – 12/10/24
CYFC u15’s 2-3 Ballyvea FC
Cookstown headed to Banbridge in search of much needed points as they were coming off the back of 3 defeats on the spin. Unfortunately today was not to be there day, leaving them 4 games without a win.
Ballyvea started the sharper of the two teams but it was Cookstown who took the lead after 10 minutes. Davidson powered down the left flank and fizzled in a great cross for Ward, who cleverly opened his body up, using the pace of the ball, to steer his effort into far corner with his right foot. Cookstown were resolute defensively and nearly scored a second, after good work from Rogers and Dobson teed up Davidson, but his shot just skewed wide. Boys were looking good to see out the half 1 nil up but a collapse in defence let Ballyvea go in 2-1 up, with 2 goals in as many minutes. Once again, lack of communication and hesitation cost the team dearly.
Heads were down at half time and only one team came out raring to go in 2nd half. Ballyvea deservedly got their 3rd goal of the game, after their number 15 waltzed past a static backline to finish easily into the corner, leaving keeper no chance. Cookstown mustered a bit of a fight back with Clements, Rogers, Martin and Quinn showing some urgency to get the ball forward at every opportunity. Ten minutes to go this pressure paid off when Clements skipped past two challenges out wide, and drilled ball up towards Ward, his deft flick on with his head released Rogers who lobbed the onrushing keeper. Tails were up and boys piled pressure on the Ballyvea goal, winning corner after corner but could not find the equaliser that their spirited fight back deserved.
SQUAD: B.NEVILLE • E. MC ELHATTON • A.KEANE • M.COMPTON • L.COMPTON • T.ROGERS • B.DOBSON • S.CONWAY • J.DAVIDSON • H.MARTIN • M.WARD • C.BELL • S.CLEMENTS • D.QUINN
Potm – S.CLEMENTS
CYFC u17’s 7-1 Markethill Swifts
On Saturday the u17s were on their travels once again, this time Kilcluney 3g was the venue to face Markethill Swifts on a crisp Saturday morning in the Autumn sunshine.
Cookstown started the game very well pinning Markethill back into their own half with Cookstown on the front foot from the start.
Talbot and Gibson were causing them problems with their movements and direct running and so wasn’t long before the breakthrough was made after good work down the right from Russo and Ferguson and aided by Gibson the ball broke kindly to Talbot 18 yards out hitting his shot first time low into the bottom corner 1-0 . And just like busses the 2nd goal came after good work from Cassidy down the left the ball into Gibson was met by him on the volley again low into the corner 2-0. A few more chances fell to Mcmurdie and Wilson from Donnelly Corners but just not finding the target . Then a mixup allowed their attacker in to half the deficit just before half-time 2-1.
2nd Half and the boys were aware that the next goal was going to be kee to winning this game and 2 minutes in they got it . Wilson’s lovely free kick was met by Gibsons head giving their gk no chance. At this stage the boys were enjoying themselves , Donnelly and Mota totally controlling midfield aided by Patterson and price on the wings . Price got in on the scoring finishing with a half volley from 16 yards over the goalkeepers head . Markethill at this stage looked a beaten team with Russo ,Mcmurdie and Ferson once again solid in defense. Gibson took advantage and finished beautifully from a cross from the left and following that up with another in quick succession. McGirr came on making his debut and showed some good touches but the day was Gibsons with him grabbing his 5th of the day and Cookstowns 7th completing a good squad performance from everyone, Well Done lads. Full-time 7-1
Squad: Mcelhatton , Ferson , Mcmurdie , Russo , Ferguson , Cassidy , Mota , Donnelly , Wilson , Talbot , Gibson , Price , Patterson , McGirr
CYFC u18’s 0-1 Institute
The 18s made the short journey to Meadowbank to play Institute on Friday evening. After last week’s defeat at the hands of Coleraine Cookstown were looking to get back to winning ways.
Cookstown started the brighter of the two sides dominating the ball and attacking in numbers forcing some early corners which Institute dealt with . Jake Quinn found himself in space but his shot just the wrong side of the post with the goal at his mercy . Then almost immediately Cookstown conceded a free kick 40 yards out , unfortunately everyone followed the ball into the box with their striker standing his ground and hitting the 2nd ball on the volley giving Ferson in goals no chance.
Cookstown continued to have the lions share of the ball and nearly leveled proceedings after a goal mouth scramble involving Mcgurk and Colvin but unfortunately for Cookstown the Institute gk was equal to everything. Half-time 0-1
2nd Half started again with Cookstown on the front foot ,really turning the screw on Institute. Lucas Mcmurdie seen his bullet header from a Donnelly corner just go over the bar . At this stage we were thinking the goal is coming but when a ball over their goalkeepers heads fell to Jake Quinn with just a tap in and unfortunately the ball miscues of his foot an out of play we started to think it was going to be one of those nights. Donnelly also found space at the back post with his shot well saved by the gk . Chances also fell to Burns and Colvin but again the gk was on top form. At this stage of the game Cookstown were in total control but with pushing forward Institute did force a couple of saves from Ferson in quick succession.
A Quick Free kick from Mckenzie found Colvin 18 yards out and his first time shot heading for the top corner was unbelievably tipped over the bar by the Institute no1 . With time running out Burton was pushed forward forcing another incredible save and just at very end Jamie Ferson hitting a ferocious shot that just whizzed over the bar to the relief of the Institute players an Coaches . Full-time 0-1
A loss for the Cookstown boys but really pleased how we played against a good side. We continued to play out from the back and keep good pocession of the ball and but for their goalkeepers man of the match performance the score would of been very different. Hard Luck lads.
Squad: Ferson , Mcmurdie ,Mckenzie ,Burton , Ferson , Quinn , Cicero , Donnelly , Colvin, Mcgurk , Burns , Talbot , Mota