Mix weekend for ’Stute youths

This weekend the the U15’s take on Glenavon at Moyola Park, on Friday night (KO 6.30pm), while on Saturday the U10’s face Coleraine Academy at Ballysally (KO 9.45am), U13’s face Glendowan (KO 11am), while the U14’s entertain St Oliver Plunkett at Lisneal (KO 11.30am).

St. Oliver Plunkett U19...2

Institute Colts...2

Institute U19′s left Lenadoon in West Belfast disappointed not to have secured three points after arguably their best performance of the season to date.

After trailing to a 14th minute goal the Drumahoe boys took control of the game, got their noses in front, only for a cruel slice of luck to rob them of what would have been a fully deserved victory.

The home side began brightly and took the lead after poor defending by ’Stute. After conceding a needless corner the visitors failed to clear the resulting set-piece and the ball was hooked home from six yards. This setback sparked Institute into life and they responded almost immediately. Jordan Greer won possession and fed Ryan Varma before the midfielder released Aiden Harkin on the right. The wideman breezed past the left-back before cutting the ball back for Jack Higgins to side-foot home to make 1-1.

That was Higgins’ forth goal in as many games and the exciting midfielder almost scored again five m inutes later but his powerful header crashed off the foot of the post.

On 37 minutes he popped up again, driving forward on the left he played a clever one-two with Aaron Porter on the edge of the box but his shot to the far corner lacked the power to beat the keepers dive.

By this stage the visitors were totally dominant with Higgins, Varma and Jordan Armstrong in sparkling form in midfield whilst Jamie McIntyre and Harkin created havoc on the wings.

Armstrong had an effort cleared off the line and Harkin delivered two dangerous balls across the face of goal where the merest of touches would have surely found the back of the net. McIntyre caused panic in the home defence and his direct running drew fouls in dangerous positions but the visitors couldn’t convert any of these chances.

The final attack of the half saw Pol Daly deliver a long ball towards Varma but his flicked header drifted narrowly wide of the target.

The visitors took a deserved lead five minutes into the second period and what a goal it was! Armstrong picked up the ball on the half-way line and swept a wonderful cross-field pass to McIntyre on the corner of the penalty area. The winger showed instant control before drifting inside his marker and unleashed an unstoppable shot high into the opposite corner of the net. The home side made tactical changes after falling behind and these succeeded in stifling the dominance of the ‘Stute midfield.

On 62 minutes they got a stroke of luck when a long range effort struck the heal of defender Niall Logue and ‘keeper Kealan Mulcahy was left stranded as the ball squirmed into the corner of the net for an equaliser.

The Drumahoe boys gathered themselves again and whilst their opponents threatended on the break they managed to carve out a number of chances that really should have been enough to grab a deserved winner. Varma had a header cleared off the line after a swift counter-attack which began with an outstanding Mulcahy save.

Logue also saw a header scrambled clear and Armstrong squandered an opportunity when one-on-one with the home keeper as his side-footed effort was smothered by the stopper.

Despite their best efforts the visitors were unable to breach the resolute home defence and the Colts had to settle for a single point instead of the three that their performance truly merited.

Institute U19: Kealan Mulcahy, Pol Daly, Jordan Greer, Robby Brown, Niall Logue, Ryan Varma, Aiden Harkin, Jack Higgins, Aaron Porter, Jamie McIntyre, Jordan Armstrong. Subs: Marc Doherty, Dean Anderson, Aaron Tarr.

Institute U10...3

Limavady U10...2

After last weeks disappointing result ’Stute turned out to play Limavady for the second time this season and who were previously high scoring.

The ’Stute boys started the game strongly and some good footwork from Lynch allowed L Boyd to open the scoring. Limavady then pushed forward for an equaliser and were rewarded with a goal of their own to keep things level.

Confidence showing, ’Stute then stepped up the game and some well constructed play between Lynch, Lea and L Boyd led to Burnett making another neat finish to put the home side 2-1 in front at half-time.

In the second half the Waterside out-fit changed things up which saw Curry push into midfield along with newcomer Houghton and McArthur sitting well in a forward position. With Cloete, having an excellent game in defence and A Boyd in nets, this combination showed clear strength in the ’Stute boys.

However, the Roesiders team weren’t defeated yet and against the run of play, they made a great run up the pitch and left things level once again at 2-2.

At this point, determination the only aim for ’Stute saw L Boyd produce a great solo to make it 3-2. ’Stute with great confidence tried to put the scoring further ahead but very gladly accepted the end result.

A great overall performance throughout the whole team which rewarded them with their win. Thanks to Alex Boyd who stood in for Allen as keeper and made some great saves.

Institute U10: A Boyd, Cloete, Curry, Lynch, Lea, Burnett, L Boyd, McArthur and Houghton.

Institute U15...1

Cliftonville U15...4

Institute U15’s travelled to Belfast this week to play the reigning National League title holders, Cliftonville.

’Stute started off bright and had some lovely passages of play. Link ups between Cory Hill and Matthew Lynch looked threatening and a solid midfield partnership of Stevie Connor and Andrew Spratt provided a platform to build on.

After 15 minutes Cory Hill had a fine effort saved by the Cliftonville keeper, the rebound shot from the same player was also denied.

Minutes later Matthew Lynch also tested the keeper with a powerful shot, the home side were always a threat but some good defensive work from ’Stute’s Diarmuid McDermott and Kyle McGonigle kept the game level.

However just before the half hour, Stevie Connor fed a fine ball through to Tommy Lee Deighan who slotted home from 10 yards.

’Stute couldn’t hold onto the lead for long and Cliftonville equalised from the penalty spot when McDermott, finding himself unbalanced, brought down the Cliftonville striker.

Cliftonville started the second half sharp and within five minutes they went 2-1 up when ’Stute momentarily lost their shape. Cory Hill had another great shot saved on 50 minutes after a good piece of work put in by Lynch.

The game ceased being a contest when 10 minutes from time, a shot floated into the Stute net to make it 3-1 and in the final moment Cliftonville made it 4-1 when a tired looking ’Stute failed to clear their lines after what was a thoroughly entertaining game.

Institute U15: Gartside, O’Neill, McDermott, McCloskey, McGonigle, Spratt, Connor, Adair, Deighan, Hill, Lynch, Greer, Harper, Henry, Holmes.