24 Oct Match Reports – 15/10/22
CYFC u15’s 1 -0 Ballymena Academy u15s
NIBFA Cup
Last Friday evening the Whites faced Section A side Ballymena in the second round of the NIBFA Cup at MUSA. On paper this fixture looked like a nailed on away win for the Antrim side especially after Cookstown’s poor showing against Larne the previous Saturday. But there’s something in this wee team that really likes to prove people wrong and upset the stays quo and Friday night turned into a prime example of a cup upset.
From the off the Cookstown lads showed great resilience and togetherness and deservedly took the lead albeit through a deflected pile driver from Russo 25 yards out on 15 minutes. Ballymena’s wingers started to find a bit of space as they pushed for the equaliser but Patterson in goal was superb throughout making one fantastic near post save from 15 yards. Defender Burton was also forced into a wonderful last ditch tackle with the Ballymena striker about to pull the trigger on 20 minutes. Good interplay between Brendan and James Mulgrew then created a wonderful chance for Talbot who nodded just wide from 12 yards. Ballymena kept going but it was Cookstown who should have been 3 up when Kelso robbed the ball off their full back only to slice his effort just over the crossbar on the half hour.
Into the second half Ballymena came out with all guns blazing after a rollicking from their coaches. Cookstown’s luck was in as the Antrim forwards hit the woodwork and missed one really glaring chance on 50 minutes. But the back four of Irwin, McKenzie, Burton and Ferson worked tirelessly to guard Patterson’s goal. In midfield and up front the players gave all with Kelso fighting through the pain of cramp to get the win over the line.
Near the end of the game McCrory and Talbot combined well on the edge of the box with McCrory thwarted by a last ditch tackle as he closed in on goal.
A deserved result for the young Sizzlers who gave everything on the night for their parents and coaches. Onward and upward. Great to see Jake Donnelly donning the boots once again after recovering from a serious knee injury at the end of last season.
TEAM: B. Patterson, E. Irwin, H. McKenzie, J. Burton, J. Ferson, C. McCrory, G. Russo, I. Kelso, B. Mulgrew, J. Mulgrew, C. Talbot, J. Patterson, J. Price, J. Donnelly.