Match Reports – 26/11/22

                                                                     CYFC u15’s 0-1 Coleraine Academy

Last Saturday the 2008’s faced North Coast giants Coleraine in the third round of the NIBFA Cup at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena. A fantastic win over Ballymena in Round 2 followed by great league wins over Larne and Maiden City put Cookstown in a good place to face the Section A Bannsiders.

With the wind on their backs the Whites matched Coleraine in all areas of the park in a very close affair with few chances created against two strong defences. The back five of Patterson in goal and Long, McKenzie, Burton and Irwin defended stoically against Coleraine’s attacking threats. Donnelly had a couple of decent attempts from free kicks from distance with McCrory, Kelso, and the two Mulgrew’s working really hard in midfield to try and create an opening. That opening nearly came from striker Talbot who struck the inside of the post which rolled along the line and back out just before halftime.

Into the second half both teams continued to cancel each other out until Patterson was forced into a dramatic save with his feet on 45 minutes from close range. This was a warning of what was to come. A quick break down Cookstown’s left and a pinpoint cross by Coleraine broke the stalemate with their striker nipping in between 2 defenders to deliver the opener on 50 minutes.

Cookstown pushed hard for the equaliser with a couple of half chances falling to Talbot, McCrory and Mulgrew. McElhatton, Ferson, Russo and Price all came on as the coaches desperately tried to create one last chance to get back into the game but Coleraine saw it out to seal their place in the last 16.

TEAM:- B. Patterson, E. long, H. McKenzie, J. Burton, E. Irwin, C. McCrory, J. Donnelly, I. Kelso, B. Mulgrew, J. Mulgrew, C. Talbot, A. McElhatton, J. Ferson, G. Russo, J. Price, J. Patterson