Match Reports – 29/01/22

Cookstown Colts U12’s 4-1 Dungannon Youth

Another convincing display and win for the Colts against local rivals Dungannon Youth. 

It was a dominant first half performance and Colts were fired up from the first whistle. After a string of attacks, a throw in was laid off by M Ward for J Mulligan to whip in a dangerous cross, the keeper could only push the ball away to the feet of T O’Hare. His shot was blocked by a Dungannon defender, who attempted to clear, but T OHare blocked that clearance and then spun to score with a right foot effort. 

The Colts continued to press and as a well delivered corner by Johnny Jeffers was knocked down by T O’Hare, a goal mouth scramble ensued with M Ward getting the final touch – only for the goal to be disallowed for a questionable infringement. 

The Colts high defensive line meant Dungannon struggled to play out from the back and a half clearance was pounced upon by O’Hare who broke down the left wing and delivered a perfect cross for birthday boy Ethan Montgomery to react first and steer home for the Colts’ second goal. 

Defensively, the Colts duo of T Gormley and R Rushe were under control throughout and the only shot on target resulted from an unfortunate attempt to play out from a goal kick, the long ball attempt was blocked and fell to the Dungannon striker who lobbed the keeper who was unlucky not to keep it out. Further Colts attacks led to more chances and another J Jeffers corner was headed down by O’Hare to bounce and skim off the crossbar with the Keeper stranded.

The second half remained as before, the Colts on top all over the park and dominating possession. 

 Jeffers, Montgomery and O’Hare combined resulting in a shot just over the crossbar. Man of the match T Gormley continued to link up with J Mulligan and J Jeffers to cause constant problems. 

A superb move from a short Colts’ kick out almost resulted in the 3rd goal. R Rushe played into midfielder O’Hare who flicked to E McElhatton. His 1st time touch found E Montgomery who again played first time to M Ward. Ward beat his marker and delivered a cross, which the Dungannon keeper spilled, and E Montgomery slid in to hit the post. 

Colts introduced R Cooke, H Jordan and C McKeever to create more problems for Dungannon. The 3rd goal finally came when a misplaced Colts goal kick fell to a Dungannon striker, however E McElhatton saved the day with a sliding taking to win possession. Dungannon cleared that attached but E McElhatton won the 3rd phase ball and played to the feet of E Montgomery. He laid it off to the supporting T Gormley who slipped a perfectly weighted ball back to Montgomery who crossed perfectly first time to the incoming T O’Hare who volleyed home with his left foot, a fantastic goal –Roy of the Rovers stuff! 

T O’Hare almost scored again when his right foot effort went narrowly wide. Cathal McKeever replaced the impressive E McElhatton and fitted in perfectly to dominate the midfield battles. Dungannon failed to register a single shot on target the entire 2nd half. 

Colts fitness levels were evident as they continued to outpace the opposition. The final goal resulted from a free kick on the right wing. As Dungannon defenders retreated to the back post, quick thinking T Gormley played a short ball to M Ward who drove a long range powerful effort goal bound with the defender unable to head clear, glancing off his head into the roof of the net. 

A fine hard working performance from the Colts showing their hard work at training is really paying off with both their football and their fitness. 

TEAM: R Watters, R Rushe(C), T Gormley, E McElhatton, J Jeffers, T O’Hare, J Mulligan, M Ward, E Montgomery, H Jordan, R Cooke, K McKeever

CYFC u14s 2-0 Portadown

Last Saturday the 2008’s succumbed to their first defeat of 2022 to Portadown Youth in the NIBFA league.

With Talbot and Kelso both absent due to illness and injury manager Nigel Donnelly knew this would be a tough fixture even at home to league leaders Portadown. And it proved to be the case with the skilful and pacy Number 9 for the Reds forcing the Cookstown keeper Patterson into a fine save with his legs on 7 minutes.

A high Portadown press on the Cookstown goal kick forced a lose pass under pressure and the opening goal for the Reds on 15 minutes. Captain McKenzie fired a shot over the bar on 21 minutes before Long headed a free kick just wide on the half hour. Donnelly then stung the keeper’s with rasping free from 25 yards. Just before halftime Patterson made another superb save from the Portadown striker.

Into the second half Cookstown huffed and puffed against Portadown’s massive centre half who physically dominated Cookstown’s attack. Despite half chances falling to Mulgrew and McCrory Portadown doubled their lead after a quick break on 50 minutes. Russo and Patterson came on to freshen up the tiring Cookstown line up but it was the Co Armagh boys’ day as they run out winners against a Cookstown side both not at their best and hampered by player absentees.

TEAM:- B. Patterson, J. Ferson, E. Long, E. Irwin, J. Price, B. Mulgrew, H. McKenzie, J. Donnelly, J. Ferguson, C. McCrory, A. McElhatton, G. Russo, J. Patterson.