MCA continue good run

Maiden City Academy U14...1

Crusaders U14...1

This eagerly anticipated top of the table clash started at a frantic pace, with both teams keen to stamp their authority on the game from early on.

If anything, the young Crues had the best of the opening exchanges in midfield, but any chances that were created were expertly dealt with by Gareth Muldoon between the sticks, and an experienced back four of Michael Gilmore, Cal Ryan, Brett McGinty and Dillon King.

At the other end Maiden were starting to have some joy themselves, and Kyle Walker found himself very unlucky to run out of space after rounding the Crusaders keeper.

Ten minutes before the break, the deadlock was broken, by the Belfast youngsters, when a super strike found the back of the net and that goal gave them a half-time lead.

Whatever pointers Peter Allen had given to the Maiden boys at half time seem to have worked, as they came out for the second half much more positively.

Both Declan Sharkey and Callum Whiteside went close before Chris McLaughlin levelled things up early in the second half, hitting an unstoppable drive from all of 25 yards, leaving the travelling keeper no chance.

The game was then end to end with both teams knowing that the win was there for the taking, with Maiden having the lion’s share of goal scoring chances, but also finding themselves lucky to be still level after Crusdaers had a strike ruled out for offside.

The game was frantic right up to the final whistle before the referee brought proceedings to an end, with the final score 1-1 and the game was a great advert for the Northern Ireland Boys Football Association National League at this age group.

Man of the match was Callum Moorehead and this weekend Maiden City travel to Suffolk on Saturday to take on Linfield again in the league (KO 11am).

MCA U14: Gareth Muldoon, Michael Gilmore, Cal Ryan, Dylan King, Bret McGinty, Callum Moorehead, Declan Sharky, Jake Francis, Chris McLaughlin, Jerome Marshall, Kyle Walker, Oran Higgans, Adam Dougherty, Callum Whiteside, Rory Donaghy.

Cookstown U13...2

Maiden City U13...4

Maiden City U13’s travelled to Cookstown on Saturday hoping to continue the good form that they showed over the last number of weeks. On the last occasion the teams met, City came away with a narrow victory.

Cookstown looked determined to reverse that result and got off to an excellent start.

The home team were very strong up front and the City defence were under relentless pressure for the first 20 minutes.

The opening goal came after ten minutes. City give the ball away softly when in a good attacking position. Cookstown broke at pace working the ball well down the left wing. The ball was played into the Cookstown centre forward at the edge of the box who controlled the ball well before shooting and leaving city goalkeeper Shane Wallace no chance.

Cookstown fully deserved the lead and five minutes later they found themselves two down.

Another defensive mix up between defender and goalkeeper saw the ball end up in the back of the City net.

City were fortunate not to go three down. Cookstown were awarded a free kick twenty five yards from goal which looked destined for the top corner. Shane Wallace the City captain kept City in the game pulling off a spectacular one handed save tipping the ball over the bar. The save was to prove to be a turning point.

City got back into the game with two quick goals just before half-time.

Their first goal was a wonderful strike from the industrious Josh Green from twenty five yards leaving the Cookstown keeper no chance. This was City’s first meaningful attack and the goal was to completely change the entire pattern of the game. A good exchange of passes between Justin McGee, Cian Catney and Josh Green saw the ball played through to Ethan Coll who calmly slotted the ball passed the advancing Cookstown keeper.

The second half saw a completely different City team, Jack McCloskey and Adam Doherty were introduced to curtail the two powerful Cookstown forwards. Both players settled quickly with Jack McCloskey impressive at right back. The City midfield started to find their passes and dominate.

Excellent work by right winger Eoghan Crilly saw him wriggle past the Cookstown left back before putting a dangerous ball into the box which fell kindly to Odhran McCrossan who smashed the ball into the roof of the Cookstown goal. The Strabane midfielder was lifted by the goal and soon after he was to double his goal tally. Picking the ball up in midfield Odhran McCrossan powered his way past a number of Cookstown players before shooting from twenty five yards into the corner of the Cookstown net.

City introduced Oran McGilll and Jack Doherty up front to replace Ethan Coll and Cian Catney who both had worked tirelessly in the City frontline. Ewan McGrath was introduced in defence in place of Adam Gillespie who put in a solid second half performance. City were unable to extend their lead and the game finished with City well on top.

MCA U13: Shane Wallace, Ryan Higgins, Ian Maxwell, Michael Kelly, Eoghan Crilly, Josh Green, Odhran McCrossan, Cian Catney, Ethan Coll, Justin McGee. Subs all used: Jack Doherty, Oran McGill, Ewan McGrath and Adam Doherty.

Maiden City U11...16

Magherafelt Pumas U11...0

Maiden City U11 travelled to Ballysally to take on Magherafelt Pumas on Saturday.

As the U12 national league side had no game players that qualify for the U11 such as Jamie Robinson, Odhran Friel, Mark Dixon and Jamie O’Kane all participated in the game and this added to the strength of the team

In a very one sided game MCA totally controlled possession and attacked at will with goals from Mark Dixon 5, Jamie Robinson 3, Joshua Kee 3, Odhran Friel 2, Jamie O’Kane 2 and Darragh Coyle.

MCA U11: Adam McMonagle, David Lavery, Joshua McLaughlin, Jamie Robinson, Odhran Friel, Jamie O’Kane, Darragh Coyle, Joshua Kee, Mark Dixon.