5th May 2016 1418 Views

CYFC UPDATE FOR SATURDAY 30th APRIL 2016

Cookstown Youth U12s v Rathfriland Youth U12s

Saturday saw Cookstown U12s play their last league game of what had been an unbelievable season which the previous week saw them crowned MUYL plate champions welcome Rathfriland Youth to MUSA for a 11am kick-off. With a day of all seasons weather wise seeing anything from hail to rain to the sun shining Cookstown made the progressive move from 9 a side to 11 a side football.

The first half kicked off and from the off it looked as though Cookstown had been playing in the bigger pitch all season as they met the challenge of it with ease. They bossed the play and were on the front foot from the off with the midfield of Donaghy, O’neill, Larmour and Murphy pushing up enabling the strike duo of Armstrong and Leek to create chances and give the Rathfriland back four a headache. Cookstown were rewarded for their dominance as Armstrong after a fantastic piece of skill between him, O’Neill and Leek linked up to put it on his left and Cookstown 1 to the good. Building on this Cookstown pressured their opponents and a flurry of goals from Murphy, Armstrong and Donaghy saw the game put beyond doubt with the pick of the bunch being from Donaghy with a well worked corner from Murphy in which nobody picked Donaghy up saw him run to the edge of the 18 yard box and thunder it through the crowd of players leaving the opposing keeper watching it go by. With their heads in front a dubious decision from the referee saw them penalised when in the dying minutes of the first half Rathfriland got a penalty with which they converted.

The secong half started and as with the first it was all Cookstown and spectators were left simply wandering when the next goal was going to come and as with the first up stepped Armstrong as a delightful ball was played in from the right for him to tap in for his hat trick. On a day that there was no stopping Cookstown another chance and another goal for Armstrong ensured the game was over and leaving the manager the chance to give his fringe players a run out who like everyone else on the pitch did not fail to impress.

Man of the match on the day was Armstrongs honour as with his four goals and his shear torture of the oppositions back four he simply could not be handled on the day.

A fantastic performance from a team that seems to be growing by the day saw them make the huge step up to 11 a side giving a performance that would make you think they had been doing it all season. A great way for this team to end their season and begin preparations for next year.

Cookstown:Monaghan,Jeffers,Whitten,McCaliion,Morrison,Heagney,McAleer,Murphy,O’neill,Donaghy,Larmour,Graham,Derby,Leek,Armstrong

Cookstown Youth U13’s played TTBS at Gordon Playing Fields, Lurgan recently. Cookstown settled quickly putting the home team under immediate pressure; Cookstown took an early lead when Ekiert latched onto a through ball and fired past the keeper. Cookstown scored again soon after when Smith hit the net from a corner taken by Young. A quick break out of defence saw Martin play a long ball to Smith who turned inside the defender and took his goal well. Two further goals for Ekiert saw him complete his first half hat trick. Early in the second half Smith completed his hat trick from a free kick that the keeper got a hand to but was unable to keep the ball out. TTBS pulled two goals back late on denying Cookstown a clean sheet. That’s five wins in a row for this young team who are finishing the season strongly.

Final Score: – Cookstown 6 – TTBS 2

CYFC 14s v Loughgall

Cookstown entertained Loughgall at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena on Saturday. Without a game in the last two weeks the Cookstown side didn’t show any signs of rustiness and started the brighter of the two sides with the midfield of J. Donnelly, E. O’Neill, J. McElkennon and B. Tereso controlling the game with their passing and movement. J. Patterson and A. Traill where causing problems for the Loughgall defense and it was A. Traill who opening the scoring cutting in from left and scoring from the edge of the box. Cookstown doubled their lead shortly after, with E. Donnelly quickly distributing the ball to A. Traill who beat the keeper to score his second of the game. The defense of D. Banas, C. Robb, S. Connelly and P. Monaghan where solid throughout making the necessary tackles and blocks before bringing the ball into midfield to set up numerous attacks. Cookstown scored their third as the ball was played into B. Tereso feet who played a through ball to A. Traill to square to D. Devlin for a tap in. D. Devlin got his second of game following good link up play down the right hand side, before racing into the box and slotting past the keeper. A. Levsins came on for B. Tereso in midfield and Cookstown continued to dominate the game. Loughgall scored a late goal but it was a very good performance from the Cookstown side who finish their league campaign at home to Banbridge next weekend.

E. Donnelly D. Banas C. Robb S. Connelly P. Monaghan J. Donnelly E. O’Neill J. McElkennon A. Traill D. Devlin B. Tereso J. Patterson A. Levsins

REMO 0 COOKSTOWN YOUTH SENIORS 4

Cookstown youth seniors took a massive step towards clinching promotion and possibly the league title when they travelled to Glengormley to play local side Remo and came away with an emphatic 4.0 victory. Megarry had an opportunity to open the scoring but seen his shot go wide of the post. Barrie Kelly had a golden chance but he managed to head wide. Remo had a freekick on the 10th minute and McEllhatton had to be at his best as he parried the shot over the bar. Slowly the chances were coming and the scoring was opened when a missle throw from Kelly was headed by Megarry and the ball ended up in the net . 5 mins later the youth doubled their lead when another Kelly special was met by O,Neill and he duely obliged by heading the ball into the net. Within a minute the score was 3.0 to Cookstown when Megarry and Mcmenemey connected well and it was Mcmenemey who shot low and hard from 18 yards out giving the Remo keeper no chance. Remo were making it tough at times for Cookstown when again Gareth McEllhatton made another terrific save from a shot that looked destined to hit the back of the Cookstown goal.

At the start of the second half Mcmenemey got his second goal. In the box and surrounded by 2 defenders Mcmenemey managed to turn and send rifle of a shot into the Remo net with the keeper rooted to the spot. The youth back 4 were containing the Remo assault with ease in the second half . Mckenna and Danny McEllhatton over the past few weeks have created a ruthless partnership in midfield and this was showing as both the midfielders wee allowing Remo,s midfield no joy. Drew Kelly and Mcmullan came on as subs and both the young lads made an immediate impression on the game. Kelly who has been out the past 5 months with an injury had a lovely chance to get on the score sheet when on goal and one on one with the keeper he chipped the keeper from 25 yards out but the ball just scraped the top of the cross bar. Cookstown youth seen the match out safely without conceeding and have now moved up to second in the table 2 points of the leaders Brantwood and with 2 games in hand.

This week there is no league action as Cookstown youth seniors make their first final appearance in the Canada Trophy against 3rd ballyclare old boys. This match will take place on Fri 6th May at Chimney Corners ground Allan park in Antrim with a 7pm ko

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Due to the senior teams Cup Final this coming Friday 6th May the Development Centre will take place on Thursday 5th May at MUSA , 6.30pm – 7.45pm , sessions will be outside for all age groups .

Anniversary Exhibition

CYFC are holding an exhibition of pictures , old kits and trophies spanning our 25yrs history. The Exhibition takes place for the Month of May upstairs in The Burnavon Cookstown , so why not drop in and take a look.