Lavery hat-trick helps U16s on their way to victory

The local boys were hoping to put last week?s disappointing performance behind them, and put it behind them they surely did.

Several changes saw players hoping that a strong disciplined performance would help cement a place in the starting lineup, the first 15 minutes suggesting a real determination to put right the mistakes of the previous game.

Dromore were rewarded after 20 minutes, a handball resulting in Callum Barnes placing his penalty down to the keeper?s right and into the net.

Dromore threatened from several free kicks and on occasions the slightest touch might have extended the lead.

Craigavon threatened as well, the visitor’s strike partnership having pace to burn, but central defensive rock Keith McGuigan held solid with keeper Matthew Donaghy coming to the rescue when necessary.

Dangerous attacks from good passing play between Stuart Wilson and Barnes on the right, and Jack Rice and Connor Mallon on the left ensured that the lead at the break was deserved.

If the first half was all about the passing, the second half was all about centre-forward Brian Lavery. Only a few minutes had gone by before Lavery had doubled the lead, with a good turn in the penalty area and a strong shot, which he soon followed up with a carbon copy.

Two wasn’t enough though, for only a few more minutes passed before he got another chance in the box from a loose ball. The tricky Lavery lost his marker and smashed home his third to put Dromore further ahead.

Craigavon then managed to claw one back, a break from the halfway line seeing a clever finish. Dromore weren?t done though, first Wilson scoring a perfectly-directed header, and Robert Gibson hitting home a strong shot. Craigavon got another at the end, the score finishing up 6-2 to Dromore and the local lads sitting at the top of the Mid Ulster Youth League table.

Man of the Match was eventually made easy. Hat trick hero Brian Lavery claiming the plaudits.

Squad: Matthew Donaghy, Stuart Wilson, Jack Rice, Keith McGuigan, Robert Gibson, William McCutcheon, Callum Barnes, Connor Mallon, Neil Herron, Neil Cherry, Brian Lavery, Ryan Cunningham.