MCA sing the Blues

Linfield U16...1

MAIDEN City Academy U16 sent Linfield U16 back home over the Glenshane Pass packing following their comprehensive 3-1 victory, in Saturday’s IFA National League encounter.

Played on a beautiful autumnal morning, MCA started brightly and early efforts from McDaid and Doherty tested the Blues keeper.

With 15 minutes gone on the clock, a delightful through ball from Jack Higgins released Niall Coyle, he sprinted towards goal and although the keeper thwarted his first effort, Coyle followed up to guide the ball home with his left foot.

MCA were now controlling the game and any threat from the Linfield forwards were easily dealt with by man of the match Shane Doran and McNeill.

The first half ended with Mulcahy in the MCA goal on the end of a particularly nasty challenge from the Linfield centre forward. Most observers felt that he was a bit lucky to escape with only a yellow card.

The second half resumed with full back Pol Daly taking over from the injured Mulcahy in nets, within minutes of the restart, Robbie McDaid found himself through on goal after a clever reverse pass from Conall Crawford and as the keeper advanced, McDaid cooly lobbed the ball over him to put his side two up.

To their credit Linfield replied almost immediately as, from a quick throw on the right, the MCA defence were slow to react and Waide smashed the ball home to bring his team right back into the game.

Chances were now coming and going at both ends with stand in keeper Daly producing several top drawer saves.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, Higgins, who was having a big game in the middle of the park, picked up the ball from McIntyre on the right, turned and shot home from just inside in the box to seal a convincing victory for his teammates.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from a broken ankle are extended to team captain Shay Duffy.

Maiden City Academy U16: Mulcahy, Doran, McNeill, Duffy, McIntyre, Martin, McDaid, Higgins, Coyle, Doherty, Daly. Subs: Crawford, Porter.