Football: Cookstown Youth U13 victorious over Larne in Plate competition

The first half saw the Cookstown side dominate the half and bombard the Moira side with shots and it took Ben McNally to get one and Terry devlin to get two goals and make a 3-0 scoreline at half time.

Moira had a few counter attacks in the first half but for tactically putting Peter Bell on Moira’s biggest goal threat and Peter did his job and out marked that threat.

The second half saw Cookstown make a few changes with a large quality bench and it paid off with Stewart Wylie breaking into the game and Aaron Traill getting a goal to make it 4-0 .

The Moira side managed to scramble a goal back when a mix up at the back saw a player toe poke a goal under the keeper and make it 4-1 .

It was Terry Devlin who finished off the game with an exquisite free kick into the top corner and leaving the keeper stranded to finish the tie off at 5-1 .

The Cookstown management praised the U12 side for there teamwork and commitment through the game especially those who came off the bench and showed their character.

CYFC: Matthew Gibson, Caleb Robb, Sean Monaghan, Joshua Turkington, Eunan O’Neill, Terry Devlin, Paul Monaghan, Peter Bell, Ben McNally. Subs: Stewart Wylie, Jake Donnelly, Aaron Traill, Dominic O’Neill

FOYLE HARPS 3

COOKSTOWN U13 0

With the weather delaying fixtures there was a necessity to get matches played midweek; the young sizzlers hosted Foyle Harps in the cup on Tuesday at Meadowbank and with almost a full squad available they match was well contested.

Cookstown dominated for more than 40 minutes and came close on more than one occasion; Dean Bigger’s driven shot from twenty five yards hit the bar and was a early indication of how luck can play its part in any game.

The breaking point came in the second half when a corner was not defended and a free header saw the relieved Foyle take the lead. Spirits raised, the Derry starlets went on to score another two somewhat against the run of play.

COOKSTOWN U13 2

LARNE 1

A good performance by the sizzlers and some very positive play made the decision to take on Larne in the plate an easy call; despite Tiernan Mackle suffering an injury the management agreed to the scheduled Friday evening kick off at Brownstown Park as all local pitches were allocated.

The squad were reminded of the league form against Larne and the challenge ahead; silverware in mind a determined team put the sea siders on the back foot from the off despite their attempts to play football.

Belief, desire and passion with the injection of pace from Thomas Mackle, Iarlaith Donaghy and Fernando Da Silva saw the sizzlers dominate the early play. Attacks by Shane Murphy and Lee Glasgow kept Larne very busy in defence and with confidence growing the Larne keeper was called on more than once to keep the sea siders in the game.

With big Tiernan Mackle missing in mid-field there was a need for a play maker. This was the role wee Tiernan O’Neill took on and with skill and composure wee T opened up the midfield. A threaded ball to Iarlaith Donaghy was sent diagonally across the defence which Thomas Mackle raced on to and making no mistake slotted the ball past the big Larne keeper to give CYFC a deserved lead.

Larne started again with the same desire and urgency and came close a number of times however the resolute defence of Patterson, McLean, Kenning and D Bigger were complimented by Jamie Campbell’s reaction saves and confidence in the goals.

As with many matches the battle for midfield was key and Cookstown dominated, after another passage of play which saw a series of attacks the result was a deft pass to Lee Glasgow who doubled the sizzlers lead with half time in sight.

At half time the management reminded the young sizzlers of past league results and the danger from the Larne opposition which was understood and acknowledged; the game in the second half saw more chances for Cookstown but the Larne keeper was the difference on more than one occasion and kept his team in the game. So much so that the Larne team raised their game and threatened winning a series of corners which CYFC dealt with only after a cleared shot to find the Larne attackers coming again with pace; a neatly passed ball beat the defence and gave Larne a deserved goal.

There were a number of changes made during the second half, Rian Mullan came on for Bobbie Patterson in defence and Harry Wilson replaced Lee Glasgow to get fresh legs in and secure the result. This was not assured right to the last few minutes and a couple of nice touches by Craig Bigger on for Shane Murphy almost found the path of Mackle and Wilson to close out the game.

A well contested game of football and a much deserved result for Cookstown; with a only a few games remaining in the league the team are looking forward to the next round draw and the opportunity to progress to the final.

CYFC: Campbell, Patterson, McLean, Kenning, D Bigger, Donaghy (c) Da Silva, Thomas Mackle, Galsgow, T O’Neill (MOM) Murphy, Wilson, C Bigger, Mullan

COOKSTOWN U14 0

LISBELLAW 1

Cookstown suffered Cup semi-final heartache as they went down to a late strike.

Ryan McFarland and Adam Montgomery both tested the keeper but Cookstown had to defend stoutly against a stiff breeze and could have conceaded after slack marking at a corner kick. Cookstown now had the elements in their favour and started the second half with complete domination.

Curtis Simpson was close to giving his team the lead twice as he shot inches wide of the far post. A quick punt over the top stretched Cookstown`s defence but as Afonso Tereso advanced the Lisbellaw winger struck a brilliant dipping effort into the far corner of the net.

Cookstown kept plugging away and squandered a couple of late half chances to level it up. A much improved display from the Cookstown lads that came up agonisingly short. Tyler Anderson and Jack Turkington both impressed for Cookstown.

CYFC: Afonso Tereso, Jack Turkington, Erik Banas, Curtis Hay, Adam Montgomery, Tyler Anderson, Nathan Connolly, Ryan Murphy, Brendan Davey, Mark Espie, Ryan McFarland, Jordan Ferguson, Joseph Wilson, Curtis Simpson, David Wensley, Jordan Scott.

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Our ever popular Development Centre returns to the Mid Ulster Sports Arena this Friday 14th March 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 present Development Centre term.