Fine displays of teamwork from Youth sides

On a very chilly Saturday morning Lisburn Youth started the first period very brightly.

They took the game to Taughmonagh from the off with Ben Martin leading the attack for Lisburn Youth. He proved to be a real handful for the Taughmonagh defence as they struggled to cope with his presence and strength. It was also a more rewarding display from Ben as he raised the bar from last week’s display and went one better with some sublime finishing.

Lisburn Youth also started the game with a new back line of Lucas Orr, Elliot Reid and Morgan Mullholland. The trio worked well together closing down quickly and passing the ball through the midfield to allow Lisburn Youth to break swiftly. Lisburn Youth showed some fantastic football during this period.

The second period saw more of the same from Youth. They hunted the ball as a team and their reward was turning the ball over quickly and turning defence into attack. Taughmonagh started to cause uncertainty upon the Lisburn back line with a succession of corners.

The third and final period saw a more even display of football. After the delightful showing of football during the first two periods, Lisburn rung the changes with players being tried out in unfamiliar positions. An exercise used to test the versatility of the squad.

With players playing in unfamiliar positions gaps appeared and it was only a matter of time before Dylan Breik was called into action. Lisburn Youth were still learning their new roles as Taughmonagh finally saw their attacks find the back of the net with some great finishing. With all the hard work from the first two periods looking a distant display some minor alterations were needed. Corey Prigent returned to the centre of midfield assured that Lisburn finished strongly and on the front foot. In whole a good technical display from Lisburn Youth with some fantastic one touch passing displays. Lisburn Youth look to raise the bar yet again as they return to Lough Moss to face Carnmoney in another 9.30am kick off next Saturday.

The Lisburn Youth Under 15’s maintained their place at the top of the U15 Lisburn League with victory over Ballyclare Colts at Suffolk.

Ross Hull got the scoring underway when he collected a short corner from Thomas McComb and sent a looping effort from the right corner of the 18 yard box over the keeper and into the net. The second goal also came from a corner. This time Hull was provider when he sent the ball to the back post, Lorcan McIlroy showed great intelligence to head the ball back across goal for Kyle Patton to nod it in. Moments later, Thomas McComb sprinted out of defence with the ball and ended up on the right wing, his cross was met again at the back post by McIlroy who cushioned the ball back for Conall Smyth to smash it into the net. Ballyclare kept going and got a goal back before half time to make it 3-1 at the break.

The second half was a bit more of a physical battle which the young lions of Lisburn were more than ready for. McIlroy turned provider again for substitute Conaill Murray to come in off the left wing and curl the ball across the keeper with his right foot. McIlroy then set up right winger Chris Singleton with a low cross from the left that Singleton swept into the net. Singleton returned the favour for man of the match McIlroy to get a well deserved goal. There was still time for Ross Hull to score a brilliant 30 yarder and Ballyclare to get a consolation but Lisburn can be happy with the victory and look forward to another game next week.