A game of two halves for Coleraine Under 15's

In the 16th minute, good play from Johnathon Gawne saw him win a challenge against the odds, and release the ball for Mathew Kirkpatrick to control and skillfully strike the ball low past the keeper.

Three minutes later, Andrew Crawford kept his composure and struck the ball wide of the keeper.

But minutes before half time, against the run of play, Institute retrieved a goal.

The momemtum had switched and the equaliser came from failure to maintain concentration and tackle with determination.

The goals then followed rapidly as confidence faded.

Only when the sixth goal went in did Coleraine re-assert themselves and the best that can be said is that they ended the game on a strong note.

It was a salutary lesson about never relaxing and how failure to take your chances usually results in a team being punished.

U10’s

Coleraine Academy Under 10’s had to play two cup games this week to reach the final.

They started off with a tough game against Institute One. Both teams had chances and the opening goal came when after some good play as Louis McAlary slipped the ball past the keeper.

In the second half both teams continued to attack but the Coleraine defence held strong. Paul Adams and George Little played well, and the score remained 1-0 seeing the Academy team progressing to the semi-final.

The under 10’s met their under 9 counterparts in the semi final. Having produced a fine display in their first game, the under 10’s started the tie on the back foot.

The under 9’s took advantage of this and grabbed an early goal. The under 10’s fought hard to try and get back into the game, but it was the under 9’s who made it through to the final.

The Coleraine Colts Under-10’s had a very tough game in the cup against Limavady One.

The Coleraine youngsters started well, but Limavady took the lead.

Limavady were strong in every department and despite the efforts from the Colts they could not break through the Limavady defence.

The Roesiders grabbed two more goals. Max Beattie did get one back for the Colts, but in the end Limavady added another two goals to reach the final.

U13’s

Well done to Coleraine Community Under 13's for their win against Magherafelt Sky Blues.

The team went 1-0 down in the opening 10 minutes of play when the referee awarded the opposition a penalty. The team responded well though with time running out in the first half to make it 1-1.

Coleraine reshuffled their squad at half time and this move proved successful going 2-1 up shortly after the break. Whilst the Coleraine defenders where dropping back deep into their own half Magherafelt seized the opportunity to grab a goal back. However 10 minutes before the final whistle The Bannsiders answered the jeers coming from the away players with the winning goal coming from Lukasz Silakowski.

Man of the Match: Dan Henderson.

U16’s

Coleraine Community Under-16’s travelled to Limavady on Saturday and with the home side undefeated all season they were in confident form. The visitors started lively with Mark Donnelly going close with a long range shot.

Then after a mix-up between the home keeper and defender Donnelly nipped in to score. Limavady came back hitting the post and were then awarded a penalty which they converted to level the score line. The Bannsiders had the edge during the first half and again scored from a right side cross which Darryl Wills converted.

The Coleraine defence looked to have held firm in the second half, however with five minutes to go the hosts were awarded a dubious penalty which they converted. Coleraine pressed forward and scored again, but the referee chalked it off for a foul on the keeper.

U17’s

In their first game for five weeks Coleraine Academy U17s ground out a good 1-0 win over a determined Warrenpoint team at Cookstown.

The win takes the Coleraine lads to the top of the league with a final game decider against Cookstown to come, a win in that game will secure the league title.

It was a battling performance with the midfield of Stephen Doherty, Josh Rhodich, Danny Austin and Luke Bradley all working hard throughout. There wasn’t too many chances for strikers Danny Lauder and Gordon Douglas but they worked hard closing down and putting the Warrenpoint back four under pressure.

The work rate from Coleraine at the start of the second half was impressive. Rhodich hit the bar with a great effort from 25-yards and minutes later he converted Jordan O’Neill’s the winner with a fine header.

All in all a vital win after a break of five weeks and match fitness not at its peak. Victory over Cookstown will secure the league title.