Cookstown U14s hit Dromore for six
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
A group from the Cookstown Youth Developement centre are pictured with coaches Kyra Kelly and Andy Kelly. sc46305
Dromore Amateurs U14 0. Cookstown Youth U14 6.
AFTER defeating table topping Warrenpoint 2-1 in their previous game, Cookstown were in good form going into this game against Dromore. Dromore sitting in mid-table were also coming of a good win so it was going to be an interesting encounter.
Cookstown had made four changes to the starting line up, Jason Rocks, Adam Glasgow, Michael Meenan and Stefan Shields all coming into the fray. Jason Rocks came close to getting Cookstown off to the perfect start but was denied by some good defending. Craig Breen then shot past the post as Dromore struggled to get to grips with Cookstown's advances.
Cookstown opened their account with ten minutes gone. Craig Breen and Terence O'Brien combined from a corner to set up Gary Dickson who finished from six yards. Dromore were relying on long balls over Cookstown's defence but they were expertly cut out by Paddy McElroy and Adam Jordan. Craig Breen shaved the crossbar from twenty yards after being put through by Stefan Shields.
Intricate play from Michael Meenan and Craig Breen saw the ball laid off to Terence O'Brien who scored a great goal from thirty yards. Dromore were pinned in their half and kept in the game by some good goalkeeping and desperate defending. Nicky Hudson had a good header well saved and a fine effort from the edge of the box also saved.
The second half was much the same as the first - all Cookstown and Dromore defending in numbers and rarely getting out of their half of the pitch. Connor Stewart beat two defenders only to see his shot also well saved by the 'keeper for a corner form which Cookstown went further ahead; a well rehearsed corner catching Dromore asleep Terence O'Brien and Craig Breen combining again and Breen scoring from the edge of the box to put Cookstown 3-0 up.
James McIvor had a great shot superbly saved by the Dromore 'keeper who was in top form. Connor Stewart scored goal number four capitalising on sloppy defending and chipping the 'keeper. Craig Breen got his brace and Cookstown's fifth beating the off side trap and drilling a left footed shot past Dromore's 'keeper. James McIvor rounded off the game with fantastic individual goal beating five Dromore players and finishing under pressure to leave the score 6-0.
Cookstowns U14s manager said: "We are progressing well with every game. Dromore were a bit of an unknown to us and defended well until we scored, but if it wasn't for their 'keeper I feel it could have been double figures today.
“On the other hand Luke Donaghy didn't have a save to make all game which is a testament to our defence who had a great game".
This week Cookstown have another tough game against top team Glenavon who have yet to drop any points and are also in a rich vein of form.
Cookstown U14 vs Glenavon U14 at Fairhil,l Cookstown, 10.30am.
Scorers: Craig Breen (2), Connor Stewart, Gary Dickson, Terence O'Brien, James McIvor.
Man of the Match: Paddy McElroy.
Banbridge 3 Cookstown U11s 0
Cookstown U11s travelled to Lurgan on Saturday past to play Banbridge and came away unlucky to be defeated 3-0.
Cookstown took the game to Banbridge from the start pining them back in their own half creating chance after chance which the young Cookstown lads failed to score as they tried to walk the ball into the net rather than shoot.
Josh McAdoo went on a mazy run taking him past four players and with the goal at his mersy he could only shoot straight at the 'keeper. Banbridge could only cause Cookstown trouble on the break and as the half progressed it looked only a matter of time before Cookstown took the lead but on the stroke of half-time Banbridge took the lead when lack of communication between Matty Sloan and Gary Adams resulted in Banbridge scoring.
The second half started much the same as the first half with Cooksown again attacking and Banbridge defending and catching Cookstown on the break. Numerous chances fell to the Cookstown players and poor finishing was their downfall. Banbridge went two ahead when Lee Hutchinson handled the ball in the box and the resulting penalty found the back of the net.
After this, Hutchison, Coney, Corr and Donnelly had chances to score but it just wasn't their day. Banbridge went three up when their number seven ran from his own half to finish with the ball in the back of the net. Cookstown again pressed forward and Keiffer Scott was guilty of two misses near the end but the game finished 3-0 Banbridge.
Manager Stephen Hunter said: "I couldn't give off to the boys at the end because I couldn't understand how we didn't win that game by double figures. We outplayed them all over the pitch. The boys played some great football but they have to learn not to walk the ball into the net. They took their chances and we didnt, so I think shooting practise is in order for training on Monday night."
MOTM: James Kilpatrick.
Cookstown Youth U18s 1 Larne U18s 4
After gaining their first win of the season away to Larne the week before it was a confident Cookstown Youth U18s who ran out at the Mid-Ulster Sports Arena to play that same Larne team on Saturday. Cookstown were without several key players including influentual captain David Hutchinson and with ten minutes to kick-off young Drew Kelly was drafted on to the subs bench where he became Cookstowns one and only substitute.
The game started well for the home team and they were showing some nice touches , testing the Larne defence with chances from Campbell and Devlin. Larne were awarded a dubious penelty after 15 minutes and even the Larne defenders seemed confused as to the reason but converted it to take the lead. The game continued to flow with both sets of players playing good football and on the half hour mark Cookstown were given a free-kick 25 yards from the Larne goal. Campbell cooly stepped up and hit a screamer of a shot which nestled nicely in the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Unfortunately, Campbell had to be carried of just before half-time after coming second best in one of the many hard but fair tackles and young Kelly came on as his replacement. 1-1 at half-time and the second half started as the first had finished with both teams playing end to end football and creating good chances for both sets of forwords.
Larne took the lead on 55 minutes with a well finished shot although an offside shout was dismissed by the referee. This seemed to spur Larne on and they scored their third five minutes later and again Cookstown's claims for off-side were rejected.
Cookstown continued to assert themselves well and Devlin, Chapman, Kelly, Millar and Creaney all pitched in with good performances and Hodgett in goal was steady pulling off some great saves. Larne sneaked another goal in the final five minutes to give thm a flattering 4-1 victory in what was a very tight match.
Cookstown manager Janusz Piecha said after the game: "I am frustrated because we are playing well and are not getting any luck. I am very pleased with all the Cookstown players and their efforts today."
Results
Banbridge Jnrs 3 CYFC U11s 0
Man of the Match: James Kilpatrick
CYFC U12s 2 Sunnyside 0
Magarry.
Man of the Match: Dylon Coyle
CYFC U13s
No game.
Dromore Amtrs 0 CYFC U14s 6
Breen 2, Stewart, Dickson, O'Brien, McIvor.
Man of the Match: Paddy McElroy.
CYFC U15s 3 Celtic Boys 0
Treanor, Potter, R Bell.
Man of the Match: M Bell.
CYFC U16s 4 Newry Celtic 1
McBrearty, Rafferty, Heagney 2.
Man of the Match: Connor Rafferty.
CYFC U18s 1 Larne 4
Campbell.
Man of the Match: David Millar.
Fixtures
Saturday 15th November
Kick-off 10.30am unless stated.
Dungannon v CYFC U11s, Dungannon;
CYFC U12s v Tandragee, Mid-Ulster Sports Arena;
Sunnyside v CYFC U13s, Away;
CYFC U14s v Glenavon, Fairhill;
Annagh Utd v CYFC U15s, Away;
CYFC U16s v Glenavon, Mid-Ulster Sports Arena;
Limavady U18s v CYFC U18s, Limavady, 12noon.
