Football: Derry Colts just too good for naive Cookstown Youth U15

DERRY COLTS U15 3 COOKSTOWN YOUTH U15 0
CYFC U15 player Stevie ArrellCYFC U15 player Stevie Arrell
CYFC U15 player Stevie Arrell

The U15s made the long journey to the Maiden City to play the league leaders and cup favourites, Derry Colts.

Without a number of key players again the Cookstown players put up a great fight but in the end were just a fraction short of the Derry level.

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Things started poorly, a cross wasn’t dealt with by any Cookstown player and the forward ghosted in to head home past Young. The keeper was in supreme form from there on in and made a few stunning saves to keep the boys in the game.

Hughes, Arrell and Devlin had great chances to level before half time but it wasn’t to be. Rocks and Dingley tried to start attacks but it just wasn’t falling to the navy shirts of Cookstown.

At half time the coaches, Kelly and Wilson, were emphasising that they were still alive in the match but that the intensity needed to be raised and the players heeded these words as the second half started.

Devlin started to come alive, as did Keane, as Cookstown influenced the match and while McCrum and Larmour defended heroically, ably assisted by Donnelly and Wilson, the ball wouldn’t go in at the other end.

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Buchanon and Thom were introduced to the game as an equaliser was on the cards but it was from a Cookstown corner that Derry Colts put the game to bed. Arrell’s corner was cleared and the boys lacked the energy and speed to get back as Derry broke free and scored with five minutes left.

This attack, as a whole, summed up Cookstown’s season: a team who threaten to beat the big teams but just can’t get the decisive goal when on top. Another breakaway goal sealed a generous three goal win but with all three goals preventable Cookstown, for the umpteenth time this season, will wonder what might have been.

Men of the match were Ryan Rocks and Mark Larmour.

CYFC: Young, Donnelly, McCrum, Larmour, Wilson, Rocks, Keane, Dingley, Hughes, Devlin, Arrell, Kelly, McMullan, Buchanon and Thom.

MONEYSLANE U18 1 COOKSTOWN U18 1

Cookstown Youth U18s took a share of the points last Saturdays when the drew 1-1 with Moneyslane.

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The local lads had the first effort on goal when Hull put Scott away on the right and his good cross found Ferson inside the box but his shot was just wide on 10 minutes.

A few minutes later a long ball found Abell in on goal and as he lobbed the onrushing keeper his goal bound effort was cleared of the line by the home defender.

The home team started to come more into the match but the Cookstown back 4 of Adams, Hopper, Glasgow, and Shields were well on top of anything that came at them and never give the home team a chance inside the box. Ferson then had another good chance inside the box but again wasted the chance.

On 30 minutes Cookstown took the lead with a well worked goal when Shields pass found Abell and he played a good ball into Hull in centre Midfield and Hull picked and great pass splitting the two centre-halves and sending Abell clear to score past the keeper. The home team had two good chances after this to draw level but Chris Reynolds Pulled off two good saves to keep his side 1-0 up at half time.

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The home team started the better in the second half and a well worked moved on the right put in the winger but his shot was wide. On 60 minutes Abell picked the ball up 25 yards out on the right and when on a mazes run beating three defenders but his shot was wide.

The home team started to get on top after this as the local lad kept giving the ball away but the back 4 once more were defending really well which resulted in long range shot that did not trouble Reynolds in nets.

Now playing on the break and Abell and Scott always a threat up front, Scott created an opening on the right and his cross found Hull free on the penalty spot but he somehow shot wide. minutes later the home team were Level when Hopper made a late tackle inside the box and the ref awarded a penalty which the home team scored from for 1-1 on 75 minutes.

The last 15 minutes say the home team have most of the ball with Cookstown playing on the counter. Glasgow and Hopper had to do some last ditch defending inside their box to get the ball clear and on the break Scott twice set up Luke Johnston on the edge of the box but the home defence cleared the danger.

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Reynolds was then called into action and made two great saves in the final five minutes and with the last chance of the match Scott again beat his marker and picked out Hull who shot just wide to leave the scores all square at 1-1.

CYFC: C Reynolds, G Adams, S Shields, A Glasgow (Capt), J Hopper, G Hull, Wilson T(L Johnston 65mins), K Scott, J McIvor, Abell F, J Ferson(K McMullan 55).

Cookstown U18 are away to league leaders Enniskillen Rangers this Saturday.

RESULTS

CYFC U12 beat Dungannon

Colts defeated by Coleraine

CYFC U13 1 Sion Mills 0

CYFC 14 3 Damolly 3

Derry Colts 3 CYFC U15 0

Portadown 5 CYFC U16 2

CYFC U17 1 Glentoran 3

Moneyslane 1 CYFC U18 1

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Our ever popular Development Centre returns to the Mid Ulster Sports Arena this Friday 4th April 2014. Coaching sessions will start at 6.30pm sharp , and players are asked to attend MUSA from 6pm to facilitate registration. The sessions will finish at 7.30pm. The cost is £3 per night for the duration of this incoming Development Centre term.

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