MCA beat league leaders and neighbours Culmore

This eagerly awaited top of the table clash produced a wonderful spectacle and was a great advertisement for junior football.

In the previous encounter, Culmore had come out on top and from the kick off MCA looked determined to even the score.

MCA were quickly on the attack and took the lead in the opening minute.

The ball was worked well down the left wing by Jack Doherty who delivered a perfect cross into Ethan Coll who finished well from close range.

Any thoughts that Culmore’s confidence would be dented by the early goal were short lived as they should have been back on level terms straight away.

The ball was delivered from the right which Shane Wallace failed to gather and it took a brilliant block on the line from Ryan Higgins to deny an equaliser.

MCA were denied a second goal when Andy Scott showed his pace and trickery before being upended in the penalty box, referee, Charlie Kelpie, adjudged the foul outside the box and awarded a free kick, taking no action against keeper Jack Duffy and Jack Malone’s resulting free kick flew over, MCA could have increased their lead but for the heroics of the Culmore keeper denying Andy Scott, Ethan Coll and Ian Maxwell.

MCA’s dominance in the opening period was finally rewarded on the stroke of half-time.

Ian Maxwell whipped in a cross to the front post which midfielder Josh Green attacked well and headed the ball past Duffy who, on this occasion, could do nothing to prevent MCA taking a 2-0 lead.

The second half saw league leaders Culmore determined not to go down without a fight.

For the opening ten minutes MCA were under pressure at the rear and looked, for the first time, likely to concede.

A number of well delivered corners and free kicks by Culmore had MCA scurrying to clear their lines so it was no surprise that Culmore got a goal back.

The game opened up with both teams sensing the next goal was crucial and play went from end to end. MCA had the better of the chances and it was Jack Duffy again who was to deny MCA’s forwards by pulling off brilliant saves.

At the other end, Shane Wallace made an excellent save tipping a well struck shot over the bar.

MCA scored the crucial third goal with a brilliant, individual piece of skill by Ethan Coll.

Andy Scott played a good ball through which Ethan Coll looked set to strike with his left foot. However, he turned inside and curled a brilliant shot into the goal.

MCA made a number of changes with Jamie Burke, Michael Kelly and Oran McGill coming on. With the game entering the final ten minutes and with Culmore having nothing to lose, they committed more men forward. Culmore were denied a second goal following several well timed tackles by captain Ian Maxwell. However, their second goal eventually came with the last kick of the game.

MCA failed to deal with a corner kick, the ball fell to a Culmore striker who swept it home from close range.

This was an excellent game of football with both teams fully committed. It was an excellent team performance from all of MCA’s players and, in the end, the victory was well deserved.

MCA: Shane Wallace, Ryan Higgins, Jack McCloskey, Jack Malone, Ian Maxwell, Josh Green, Odhran McCrossan, Jack Doherty, Eoghan Crilly, Andy Scott, Ethan Coll. Subs (all used): Justin McGee, Jamie Burke, Michael Kelly, Oran McGill.