MCA youngsters on the march

MAIDEN City Academy Under 11 and Under 13 continued to impress at the weekend.

The Under 11 had a fight goal thriller at Dungiven, which saw them win 3-2 in the North West Coleraine District Youth League and the Under 13 defeated Ballymoor 2-0, in the National League.

Dungiven U11...2

Maiden City Academy U11...3

Maiden City continued their push for the North West league title with victory against a good Dungiven side. City opened brightly as Cahir McMonagle was lively and direct in attack and he was well supported from midfield by Jamie Robinson and Luke Toland. City had a few corners and created good chances for McMonagle and Dixon but they couldn’t find a way past the Dungiven keeper.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

McMonagle did open the scoring when Robinson found him with another weighted pass, McMonagle still had work to do and when he beat his man and ran at pace into the box he shot low and hard across the keeper into the far corner.

In the second half City put themselves under pressure as they failed constantly to clear the ball effectively. When they got it right they kept possession well and looked dangerous throughout with both full backs getting forward, and from one such attack Dale Armstrong played in Ross Barr who was fouled when in full flow.

The resulting free kick found its way to the back post were Jamie O’Kane kept his composure to double City’s lead. Dale Armstrong added the third for the visitor’s minutes later when Dungiven failed to clear and Armstrong hit the ball on the volley across the keeper giving him no chance.

City were comfortable and with the 60 minutes up it was still 3-0 but just into added on time City conceded a free kick outside the box which the home side scored.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Then two minutes later Dungiven won a corner and City’s defence came out leaving four attackers in offside positions and one of the players turn the ball in and the referee allowed the goal to stand and also blew the whistle for full time.

The two late goals took the shine off a good City victory as goalkeeper Ben Mills didn’t have a save to make during the game. City now lead the table with two league games remaining, however, both games are against second and third placed teams respectively.

Maiden City Academy U13...2

Ballymoor U13...0

Maiden City Academy U13 ran out winners in a very good game of football with goals in the last five minutes of both halves. City started brightly but could not find a way past the Ballymoor back four.

The visitors settled themselves and with Dylan Devine and Aidan Rankin in their ranks they were always a danger. City eventually opened the scoring when Cathan McLaughlin slid a ball through for strike partner Liam Walsh to run onto to finish past the onrushing keeper. McLaughlin then thought he had doubled City’s lead minutes later only for the referee to give the offside instead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ballymoor made the better start to the second half and probably should of levelled the game when the winger found himself in space at the back post 12 yards out but his shot rattled off the bar and City were able to clear.

When City were able to get Sam McDermott and Niall Moore on the ball in midfield they looked comfortable and created several good opportunities for Matthew Duffy and Josh Donnell.

City played some good football but Ballymoor worked very hard all over the pitch and City had to wait until the last five minutes to seal victory. Michael O’Hara cut out a potential counter attack on the half way line and played the ball back to his keeper before picking it up again on the edge of his area and his pass found Walsh in midfield who in turn thread a ball between full back and centre back for Micheal Brown who travelled into the box and smashing the ball past into the bottom corner.

Meanwhile Maiden City Soccer Development Centres will continue as normal this week until tomorrow (Thursday).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tomorrow and Friday they will be holding a mid-term soccer course at St. Columbs Park from 10am until 3pm were players will play games like King of the ring, power and finesse, dodgeball as well as mini champions league, premier leagues and world cup.

The course will cost £10 per day and anyone looking to attend should contact Craig on (0782) 106 2811 or vist maidencity soccer.net or find them on facebook.