Cookstown Youth U-11s into final after shoot-out

(AET - CYFC win 4-3 on penalties)

MOM: Dean Bigger

LAST Saturday CYFC U11s reached their first ever league cup final after over coming a resilient Armagh City in sudden death penalties after extra time.

The day got off to the worst start when both teams were sent to White City in Dungannon when actually the fixture was to be played at Dungannon Park.

After a quick scrambling together of players and kit both teams kicked off half an hour later on a rather poor sloping pitch. Cookstown played down the slope in the opening half and started brightly with Iairlaith Donaghy, Luke Patterson, Jamie Marlin and Joseph Donnelly testing the Armagh keeper. A coming together of keeper Stephen Black, centre half Robert McLean along with the Armagh striker presented Armagh the opening goal after fifteen minutes. Black then made a couple of good saves as Armagh threatened a second goal with their left winger causing all sorts of problems.

To their credit the back four of Mullan, McLean, Kenning and Gault worked really hard for the team to soak up the Armagh pressure with chances at the other end at a premium. Donnelly looked to have got the equaliser just before half time when his thunderbolt struck the underside of the bar and bounced downwards possibly over the line and back out in 1966 World Cup style. Unfortunately the referee couldn’t be sure and denied the goal.

Into the second half Jamie Campbell replaced Black in goal with Dean Bigger moving to left back and Craig Bigger replacing Luke Patterson and Bobbie Patterson replacing Rian Mullan. Donnelly broke clear on the right in the opening moments of the half and was unlucky to strike the Armagh post from an acute angle. He then lashed the crossbar with another shot to be denied. A wonderful through ball by Dean Bigger found Donnelly with ten minutes to go and this time he finished with aplomb. Cookstown finished the stronger with Armagh starting to fade in the last fifteen minutes but the game was then taken to twenty minutes extra time.

Captain Marlin saw a goal bound free kick fantastically saved before Jamie Campbell pulled off several brilliant saves before having to go off injured. Aaron Hailing and Harry Wilson came on to try and find or create a winner. Neither team could find a winner in the dying minutes but it was Cookstown through Stephen Black who went through after saving the final sudden death penalty to meet Coleraine in the final.

Team: S. Black, R. Mullan, R. Mclean, W. Kenning, K. Gault, J. Dallas, J. Marlin, D. Bigger, I. Donaghy, L. Patterson, J. Donnelly, J. Campbell, B. Patterson, A. Hailing, C. Bigger, H. Wilson.

Armagh City U18s 4

Cookstown Youth U18s 1

CYFC U18s played title chasing Armagh last Saturday and were beaten to put the Armagh side top of the league.

Armagh took the lead on 30 minutes after a sustained spell of possession. Cookstown failed to deal with a harmless looking throw in and two defenders missed their clearances as the ball fell to an Armagh forward who slotted home.

Armagh added their second on 41 minutes when a long goal kick from the Armagh keeper was completely misjudged by the CYFC back line and the striker run through to score past Hill to leave the half time score 2-0.

Armagh continued to dominated in the second half and really should have added to their score. The Cookstown lads continued to hand the home team goals when Kelso’s poor past was cut out by the forward who ran clear to score past Rainey.

Cookstowns first shot on goal came on 70 minutes when Ramsay created a little space for himself but the keeper made a good save. Armagh scored their fourth on 75 minutes when again it was presented on a plate to them.

This time it was Leslie who was robbed off the ball leaving the striker a free run and score. Cookstown pulled one back on 82 minutes when Stewart cushioned a header on the edge of the box for Corcoran who hit a volley that gave the keeper no chance from 18 yards. Both sides had a few half chances after this but failed to add to their scores

Team: K Hill (M Rainey), G Dickson, J Leslie, G Stewart (R Greer), G Kelso, A Jordon, S Gates, E Corcoran, D Kelly, J Cohen, S Ramsay

Cookstown Youth FCs Development Centre has its last coaching sessions this Saturday 31st March , before the Easter break, at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena.

Details of our final term of the season will appear in the local press and on our Facebook Page.

CYFC would like to call on any footballing enthusiasts , either still playing or retired , who would have an interest in coaching on a Saturday morning. Our Development Centre has kids from 5yrs old and above , of all abilities , so why not give the number below a call and become involved in our vibrant and ambitious Club !

For any queries or concerns please contact the CYFC Dev. Centre mobile on 07771195353 or for all the latest update’s you can check the Cookstown Youth FC Facebook page.

Fixtures For Saturday 31st March

Mid Ulster Youth League (Kick-off 10.30am)

Portadown v CYFC 11s (KO Cup) Kernan

Craigavon City v CYFC 12s (SF - KO Cup ) Kernan

Lurgan Town v CYFC 13s (SF - KO Cup ) Kernan

Midway Utd v CYFC 15s (QF - KO Cup ) Kernan

CYFC 14s and 18s have no games next week.