Maiden City lads beat the frost in Larne

MAIDEN City managed to beat the frost at the weekend as they travelled to Larne on Sunday.

The match was played in calm conditions on an immaculate surface. As has been the case for most of the season City got off to a poor start and soon found themselves behind within ten minutes.

They conceded a free kick in the Larne half which the home side took quickly. The pass was perfectly weighted into the run of the forward who got between Conor McGee and Dylan King before finishing well.

Despite not being in top form City still saw the majority of the ball but just couldn’t find the right pass in the final third.

The one Maiden City player who was making things happen was Dylan McCorkell, his cross eluded everyone inside the area before Callum Moorehead fired in into the side netting.

Both Chris McLaughlin and Declan Sharkey also had half chances but nothing that had the Larne keeper worried.

The second period saw City push Larne back for long periods although the home side looked comfortable playing on the break. City did manage to be more dangerous in the final third of the pitch .

The lively McCorkell picked out Moorehead at the back post but his header couldn’t find the net. Shortly after that McCorkell thought he had won a penalty for his side when he skipped past three men before being knocked to the ground. The referee waved play on.

City were made to rue their missed opportunity when minutes later a mix up between full back and goalkeeper allowed the Larne striker a simple finish. Although two nil down City knew they were in the game with twelve minutes still on the clock. Andrew Ross won City a penalty when tripped inside the box and McCorkell stepped up to coolly slide the ball past the Larne keeper.

With the game now becoming more stretched as City pushed to get back on level terms the next goal would be vital.

The chance to square the game fell to Adam Dougherty 15 yards from goal but his shot only managed to find the goalkeepers mid rift.

The visitors then hit the self destruct button when they lost possession from their own goal kick gifting the game to the home side.

Maiden City played well in stages during the game but will have to cut out the mistakes if they are to progress as a team. Next up is the visit of last year’s runner’s up St Oliver Plunketts with the venue to be confirmed. Pictures from the game can be viewed on the website at maidencitysoccer.net by clicking on gallery and then into Under 13 photos. A full set of fixtures involving all of the Maiden City squads can be seen on the front page of the website.

Maiden City Academy; Muldoon, McGinty, King, McGee, Ryan, Sharkey, McKeever, Cole, Moorehead, McCorkell, McLaughlin. Subs; Adair, Ross, Cross, Crumley, Dougherty, Marshall.