MCA teams all secure wins

The Under 16’s won 2-1 on the road at St Mary’s, the U14’s had a convincing success over Ridgeway Rovers and the U11’s defeated Bertie Peacocks Youth.

St Mary’s U16...1

MCA U16...2

Saturday seen Maiden City U16’s, make a long trip to Newtownabbey, to take on St. Mary’s for a place in the next rourd off the Northern Ireland Cup.

With the majority off the games called off at Mallusk, with frost, playing conditions at the Valley Leisure Centre wasn’t ideal. The game started off slow, with both teams not having much joy, St Mary’s had the best chance in the opening exchanges but went well wide.

But MCA gradually came into the game, and created several chances, but could not convert. Both sides came in at half-time with the game tied at 0-0. It was early in the second half, when Rian McElvery nipped in front off his man, to get a vital touch on a Mark Coyle corner to give MCA, a well deserved lead.

With St Mary opting for a more direct style, they had an effort blocked, and earned a corner, which they scored from with ten minutes left on the clock.

This seemed to lift MCA and with a great counter attack out right and a great cross allowed Ethan Sweeney to head home from close range to give MCA a win.

Ridgeway Rovers U14...0

MCA U14...4

David Parkhouse scored twice as Maiden City boosted their chances of avoiding relegation with a fine victory over third in the table Ridgeway Rovers.

Parkhouse opened the scoring with a powerful left footed strike after some neat midfield combination play between Micael Brown and Sam McDermott found Cathan McLaughlin on the edge of the area, his pass picked up Parkhouse just inside the area who made no mistake after avoiding Lewis English in the Ridgeway defence.

Alex Carolan doubled the lead after controlling a cross from Jordan Devenney and skipping away from Ridgeways Glenn McCreery and cooly side footing the ball into the corner of the net.

The third goal came from some excellent work down the right from Matty Barr and he fired the ball across the face of goal, Parkhouse’s natural goal scoring instincts appeared again inside the six-yard box with a simple side footed finish.

Ridgeway’s day to forget ended when Sam McDermott fired the ball across the face of the goal from a well worked short corner routine with Browne 12 minutes from time – the dubious goals panel may award this one to McDermott after the unlucky Brattle turned it into his own goal.

MCA U14: Toraigh McConnell, Matty Barr, Michael O’Hara, Jamie McKinney, Jordan Devenney, Sam McDermott, Gareth Crawford, Alex Carolan, Micael Brown, David Parkhouse, Cathan McLaughlin, Michael Doherty, Ciarnan Higgins

MCA U11...3

Bertie Peacocks Youth U11...1

After playing so well last week and getting nothing out of the game Maiden City Academy got the rewards this week with a fine win over a good Bertie Peacocks side.

The game started with probably the quickest goal of the season so far when Bertie Peacocks scored after just 13 seconds with a good strike from just outside the box. City equalised quickly though when a great bit of skill by Josh Kee let in Tiernan O’Connor to finish neatly at the back post.

City were well on top with Ethan McLaughlin just inches wide with a great strike from all of 30 yards, then Josh Kee brought a good save from the Bertie Peacocks keeper. City then went in front when Tiernan O’Connor played a great ball through for Josh Kee who finished well past the keeper.

The second half was end to end stuff with both teams deserving alot of credit for the football that was on show but it was City who got the final goal when Dylan Mullally played the pass of the game to send Josh Kee through on goal again and he secured the win for City with a neat finish below the keeper.

City will take great confidence from this match with a great all round team performance.

MCA U11: Adam McGonigle, Ethan McLaughlin, Aaron Crilly, Vincent Auld, Corey Walsh, Ben Kee, Jamie O’Kane, Josh Kee, Tiernan O’Connor. Subs: Dylan Mullally, Aidan Cutliffe.