Soccer School begins new term

The training takes place on grass at the University of Ulster playing fields, therefore football boots and shin pads will be required.

Returning players should already be aware but we kick-off at 10am until 11.30am so boys and girls if your 5 years or over join in the fun from come along fill out a registration form, fee of £20, if your new two passport-sized photographs and £2 per Saturday. Further information can be obtained by visiting www.colerainefcacademy.com or visit Facebook page Coleraine FC Academy.

Please make sure children are dressed warmly. In the event of a cancellation due to frozen pitches we will do our best to post the information on the Academy web pages/Facebook.

Under-9s

Coleraine Academy 04’s took on league leaders Oak Athletic in this week’s league action at Ballysally.

A sleepy start saw Oak take the lead straight from the kick off. Rather than feel sorry for themselves Coleraine woke up and fine attacking play by Reece Watton, Lewis Tosh and Oliver Henry set up Rafferty McKay for a sweet shot into the roof of the net to level the scores. An end to end match with some fine footie on display saw both the Oak keeper and Jake Speers in fine firm to keep things level.

A fine cross ball from Lewis Tosh rebounded off the bar and the smallest man on the pitch Rafferty MacKay was there with a header that the ref adjudged to have crossed the line to put the wee stripes 2-1 up. Peter Nevin and Daniel Forsythe in defence were going well to contain the strong Oak attacks but a series of missed tackles allowed the skilful Oak midfielder to level the scores just before halftime.

This was an exciting game played in very sporting manner with some excellent passing from both teams but again Oaks central midfielder latched onto a loose pass to hammer the ball into the net.

Coleraine pushed forward looking for an equaliser and perhaps should have at least converted one of a number of chances their fine play created but Oak stood firm.

With the one man defence of David Huffington repelling any of Oaks attacks with trademark tackling Coleraine were again unlucky to score their fifth own goal of the season leaving the score 4-2.

Man of the Match: Rafferty McKay

Coleraine Olympic’s recent run of good performances came to an end on Saturday when they were beaten by a more determined Ballymoney side on Saturday morning. The young Bannsiders were sluggish from the start with Ballymoney hungrier in the tackle and chasing down every loose ball. Despite rallying towards the end Coleraine were beaten 2-1 with Fletcher White scoring the goal.

Hopefully the boys will have learned that they have to match their opponents work rate in every match. One bright spot on Saturday morning was a promising debut from young Jake Scott who has just moved up from the 05 age group, well done Jake!

Man of the Match: Fletcher White

Under-10s

The score line failed to reflect this fiercely contested fixture against Carniny Amateurs, which really was the proverbial game of two halves.

A first half of total dominance from Coleraine was only rewarded with two goals from Lennon McKeeman and Dylan Paine. The second half saw a determined Carniny team match their opponents across the pitch as the game developed into a highly entertaining spectacle.

Carniny’s attractive football was rewarded with an early goal to bring the score line to 2-1. A late flurry of goals from James Watters, Adam Scott and an own goal flattered the Coleraine team with a 5-1 win.

Man of the Match: Scott Wilson

Under-11s

The Coleraine boys had their first taste of 9-aside football as they took on Magherafelt Sky Blue Galaxy in this Cup tie played on a cold still afternoon. The lads adapted to their new positions quite well early in the game but the much larger pitch took more getting used to after a season on the 7-a-side parks.

Coleraine never really managed any sustained periods of possession and their usual sharp passing was rarely on show. Despite the obvious size advantage of the Magherafelt U11s the Coleraine tackling was strong throughout however Galaxy eased to a 3-0 lead by half time.

Playing up a slight slope in the second half it was always going to be difficult for Coleraine to take anything from the tie and Magherafelt added to their tally with some good play helped by a couple of really unfortunate own goals.

This tie will have given the boys plenty to think about for next season and should be the start of a learning curve leading to continued success in their ongoing development.

Man of the Match: Mark Lowry

Under 11 Academy Team

COLERAINE FC ACADAMY U11 1 – 6 LISBURN YOUTH

Coleraine U11’s travelled to Lisburn today to play Lisburn Youth in the NIBFA Cup 3rd round. This was unfamiliar territory for the U11’s who struggled to adapt to 11-a-side playing football in the air instead of their customary passing and move game. Lisburn Youths kicked off and within the first five minutes were one up.

Coleraine continued to struggle and conceded three poorly defended goals. The boys tried hard but failed to compose themselves on the game and the early start may have had a detrimental effect on the squad. After a stern talking to by the management team and a few positional changes the boys started to boss the match with their flowing pass and move football on the ground.

A great team move passing the ball from defence to James Symington in midfield, he held off two defenders to set up Scott McDonald for a finish in the top right hand corner. The boys with their tails up continued their sublime passing football with Charlie O’Neill running the channel; unfortunately this failed to deliver any goals. Again to their credit Lisburn Youth cleared their lines and scored on the break twice more leaving the final score 6-1.

If the boys had played the first half as they did the second this would have been a very different result. The boys should be very proud of themselves for getting to the latter stages of this prestigious competition and have shown that 9-a-side football requires more technical skills within the players.

The referee commented on Coleraine’s ability to pass and play football on the ground and they resisted from playing this match with the ball in the air.

A very big thank you to the large contingent of parents and friends who travelled to Lisburn to support this fantastic bunch of kids, who despite the result were a credit to themselves, the coaching team and Coleraine FC Academy.

Best wishes to Lisburn Youth as they take on Carniny in the next round.

Under-10s

The score line failed to reflect this fiercely contested fixture against Carniny Amateurs, which really was the proverbial game of two halves.

A first half of total dominance from Coleraine was only rewarded with two goals from Lennon McKeeman and Dylan Paine. The second half saw a determined Carniny team match their opponents across the pitch as the game developed into a highly entertaining spectacle.

Carniny’s attractive football was rewarded with an early goal to bring the score line to 2-1. A late flurry of goals from James Watters, Adam Scott and an own goal flattered the Coleraine team with a 5-1 win.

Man of the Match: James Symington & Jamie Stewart.

Under 13 Community Team

A depleted Coleraine side travelled to Limavady to play the league leaders on Saturday morning. The first half proved to be a tight affair with the Coleraine defence of Kyle, Matthew, Caolin and Bradley shackling the Dungiven forward line.

The Coleraine midfield three of Dylan, Adam and Jordan were battling for every ball and holding their own. Although Dungiven enjoyed most of the possession the hard working Coleraine team restricted them to half chances none of which troubled the Coleraine keeper. Towards the end of the half fell to Adam Purvis who burst through the Dungiven defence from a quick break, running from the half way line with only the keeper to beat he placed his shot just the wrong side of the post.

Both teams started the second half strongly but Dungiven got the breakthrough within five minutes. Dungiven then enjoyed most of the play and scored a second against the tiring Coleraine team. As the game opened up Coleraine started to create good chances with the Dungiven keeper saving well from Adam Purvis twice and John Stewart. From a break Dungiven added a third before Adam Purvis was unlucky not to be awarded a goal when he had a shot which crossed the line but was missed by the referee.

The game ended with both teams pushing for a goal and with the last Coleraine attack Joel Greene struck the post from close range.

Under-10s

The score line failed to reflect this fiercely contested fixture against Carniny Amateurs, which really was the proverbial game of two halves.

A first half of total dominance from Coleraine was only rewarded with two goals from Lennon McKeeman and Dylan Paine. The second half saw a determined Carniny team match their opponents across the pitch as the game developed into a highly entertaining spectacle.

Carniny’s attractive football was rewarded with an early goal to bring the score line to 2-1. A late flurry of goals from James Watters, Adam Scott and an own goal flattered the Coleraine team with a 5-1 win.

Man of the Match: Caolin Gibson and Bradley Clarke

Under 15 Community Team

Coleraine picked up another three points on Saturday at the Crescent with a

comfortable 5-0 win against Tobermore. Despite dominating play in the first half Coleraine squandered a number of chances and it was once again the Coleraine captain Ryan Kane to thank for getting the opening goal. A superb corner from Jamie Smyth saw Kane head home.

The second half started in the same manner but the introduction of Stewart, Walker and Govan seemed to give Coleraine a kick start. In a ten minute spell goals from McCook, McKinney, Govan and McGuiness put the game out of sight at 5-0. Tobermore battled hard but at the final whistle the score reflected the dominance Coleraine had during the game. Man-of-the-match goes jointly to Conor O’Kane and Leon Govan for a faultless performance from O’Kane at left back and for the sheer effort and a goal from Govan in the second half.