Moyola U16 beat Draperstown

Moyola U16 4 Draperstown 1

One of the few U16 games to survive the weather last weekend was played at Mill Meadow between Draperstown and Moyola.

Always an eagerly awaiting fixture these two teams drew one each earlier in the season. Moyola entered the game missing three regulars but others had the opportunity to step in and show their worth.

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The early minutes saw half chance fall to each side, Cassidy saved well from a shot through a crowded penalty box and Darragh made the opposing keeper work from a well-placed free-kick. O Doyle and McElhatton on the wings were proving a handful for the full backs but it was Cassidy in the Moyola goal who was tested again.

He came to push away a Draperstown cross which fell to an opponent who could only poke the ball wide. McAtamney made a superb break from the full back position, beating three as he sped into the Draperstown half, and neatly laid the ball off to Stuart who blazed his shot high and wide.

Midway through the half and Moyola finally broke the deadlock. Flanagan broke in from the left, holding off his marker, and playing the ball across the edge of the area to Stuart who moved the ball onto L Doyle. Doyle’s first touch took him past the defender and he calmed slotted the ball back across the stranded keeper into the far corner for his first goal of the season.

The half continued to be an evenly contested fixture, centre-backs Connery and Downey proving worthy opposition for the DC strikers.

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Draperstown came out in the second period and right from the start showed a greater zest than the Moyola side and deservedly drew level after ten minutes.

A throw-in fell to a Draperstown player on the edge of the area and he looped the ball over Cassidy. With the goal Draperstown continued to push forward but credit to the Moyola lads they showed fantastic discipline to defend astutely and for all their possession Draperstown failed to seriously trouble Cassidy in the Moyola goal and Moyola always looked dangerous on the break.

L Doyle headed just wide from a free-kick and had a long range effort comfortably taken by the keeper. As the game entered the last fifteen minutes Cassidy pulled off a point-blank save to keep the score level and with ten minutes left on the clock Moyola were awarded a free-kick on the right. Darragh swung the ball in and Flanagan rose to beat the defender at the near post getting the faintest of touches and the ball hit off the back post into the net.

Draperstown now threw everything into attack but as Cassidy gathered the ball, he quickly sent his kick far into the opposing half with Flanagan in chase. The sole defender could not cope with his pace and as Flanagan nipped in to take the ball goal wards the defender recklessly brought him down in the box leaving the referee no other choice than to award a penalty and send the offending player off.

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Darragh stepped up and accurately placed the ball high to the left of the keeper to extend Moyola’s lead.

In the dying minutes McKee broke out of defence on the left and a fine passing movement with L Doyle and Stuart moved the ball cross field to Flanagan. He cut in along the by-line and passed the ball back to Darragh 8 yards out whose goal bound shot deflected off the heels of McElhatton and trickled past the stricken keeper.

This was another fantastic display from the Moyola lads watched by an enthusiastic crowd.

The U16s play Windmill Stars on Saturday at Lurgan Public Park at 10.30am.

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This Saturday Moyola Park take on Annagh United in the Championship 2 at Tandragee Road at 2pm.

The highly successful Football Development Centre returns for the 11th successive year on Saturday 23rd February 2013.

The cost per week is £2 which is excellent value for coaching by IFA qualified coaches and is open to all boys and girls from the age of 4 up to 11 and parents are asked to bring their children along by 10.15am in order to give sufficient time for registration and thus allow the coaching to commence at 10.30am sharp.

All children must come to each session appropriately dressed for the weather and also must be wearing football boots and shin-guards and also must bring a water bottle. Parents are also asked to note that all players using the pitch must only use moulded/plastic football studs and moulded/plastic blades.

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Also, each boy/girl attending the centre this year will have to pay a £5 registration fee which must be paid within the first 5 weeks of attendance. A discount will be available for more than one child with a family paying a maximum of £10. On paying the £5 registration you will receive a 10% discount card for Sportsworld, Rainey Street.

For more information contact Gareth Stewart on 07892687503 or Steven Kenning on 07731845954.

Zumba Class takes place on a Wednesday night at the Mill Meadow and will run from 7-8pm and the instructor is Jana Ivanovova.

The Lucky Numbers drawn for Saturday 26th January 2013 – 4, 17, 19 and 21 and the £50 consolation prize was won by Claire O’Kane. The Jackpot Prize for Saturday 2nd February 2013 stands at £5000. Tickets are available in the Social Club or from committee members and please note that the jackpot has now been capped at £5000.