2nd March 2022 411 Views

Match Reports – 26/02/22

Dungannon Youth 0-2 Cookstown Youth

Cookstown made it six games unbeaten with a convincing display and win over in Dungannon early on Saturday morning. The Cookstown team dominated possession from the off, the midfield trio of Conway, Mc Aleer and Davidson stamping their authority on the game within the first few minutes. All three were getting on the ball regularly, brrakjng up play and linking up with the front pairing of Martin and Mc Cabe. Despite the dominance, the Dungannon keeper wasn’t forced into any big saves. Mc Cabe made some space for himself but finished with a tame effort and Martin blazed over after great work from Conway to get him in. Davidson had a free kick that went over the bar also. Breakthrough came late in first half when an innocuous back pass was chased down by Martin and despite there being no real sign of danger, the keeper missed his kick and the ball trickled into his own net.

Second half started much like the first with Cookstown pressuring Dungannon high up the pitch and being first to every breaking ball. The second goal came from great work by Davidson who beat two Dungannon midfielders before playing the ball down the channel for Mc Aleer to chase. Defender got across first but Mc Aleer never give him a second and won the ball back, he then squared it to young Mc Cabe who dropped the shoulder, sending one of the defenders to the shops before unleashing a fierce strike into the bottom left hand corner. A raft of changes were made but the intensity and work rate did not drop, the hunt for that third goal continued. Timoney and Corrigan were causing trouble up top, Timoney created a glorious chance for Hampsey at the back post but his firm strike was well saved by the Dungannon keeper. Remainder of the game was spent in the Dungannon half of the pitch but when called upon the Cookstown makeshift backline dealt with any threat. Loughran and Halligan impressed in there after their second half introduction. Great team performance all round on the day.

TEAM: Ruairi O’Hagan • Andrew Keane • Tyler Rogers • Matthew Compton • Jonah Davidson • Shea Conway (C) • Adam Mc Aleer • Hayden Martin • Joshua Mc Cabe • Conall Hampsey • Aodhan Loughran • Kori Halligan • Orann Timoney • James Corrigan • Calum Walshe

Player of the Match – Shea Conway

Cookstown Youth 4-3 Killymoon Rangers

This local cup derby had it all. 7 goals, sending offs and a late late winner.

Cookstown took the lead on 20 minutes through Captain Johnny McKenna and soon made it 2-0 when on 25 minutes a great free kick from McKenna was headed up by Adam Watson. Killymoon then went close on 30 minutes when Gallagher Hit the post and then Richard Donaghy had a shot clear of the line, Cookstown should have made it 3-0 on 35 minutes when the broke clear but a great blocking tackle from Eoin Coyle Kept out Jack Turkington should from 5 yards out. Killymoon pulled one back before half time when Donaghy broke clear of his marker to finish past Luke Donaghy in the Cookstown net.

The 2^nd half was on 2 minutes old when Cookstown threw Killymoon a life line when the awarded them a penalty after a foul on the edge of the box and it was Max Brady that made no mistake to bring the scores level at 2-2. Both team had chances after this in this end to end game and it was Cookstown that when in front again on 65 minutes when a cross come shot from Robbie Brown found the back of the net for 3-2. With the game closing to a end Killymoon were awarded another penalty after James Leslie was judged to have handled the ball inside the box and worst was to follow for the Cookstown Left back with the ref showing him a red Card after an exchange of views on the call. Once more it was Brady who stepped up to bring the teams level once more at 3-3. Cookstown kept taking the game to Killymoon with the moon not really using the extra man advantage and looked to be playing for extra time and a long throw in from Turkington found an unmarked McKenna but his shot was wind of the post. With the game deep in injury time Cookstown once more forced a corner and with what turned out to be the last kick of the match the ball fell to Philip Caufield how hit a shot that found the corner of the net for 4-3. It was that late in the game the ref did not have time for Killymoon to take centre with Cookstown going into the next round.

Team: L Donaghy, J Turkington, J Leslie, A Watson, P Caufield, J Mckenna (capt), M Megarry, F Silva, C Robb, L Glasgow, R Brown, L Patterson, J Kilpatrick, C Murphy

Next week Cookstown are home to Ballynure OB in the cup again 1.30pm kick off at the Mid Ulster Sports arena

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