Three and easy for Maiden City youngsters

MAIDEN City Academy opened their NL season with a remarkable 3-0 over Bertie Peacock Youths.

What made this result all the more remarkable was that MCA had to play with nine men due to the fact that four players were on International duty with Northern Ireland and several others were out injured and unavailable.

MCA were seemingly up against it in this opening fixture but the adverse odds seemed only to spur the players on as they took control early on.

With James McClay dominant in the middle of the park it wasn't long before MCA took the lead as McClay powered home a free kick from the edge of the box, giving Forgrave in the opposition goal no chance.

The MCA defence of Leonard, Harkin and Callaghan looked comfortable as the Coleraine side appeared to be still half asleep!

A lovely through ball from Jack King released Daniel Hamilton but his shot was easily saved. However, after some good work in the middle by Surgeoner, McClay found himself in space and beat the keeper at the near post to leave his side two up at half-time.

Berties continued to struggle as MCA dominated in all sectors of the field with all the players working hard to achieve a victory against all the odds.

Big Conor Harkin from Burt was having an outstanding game and even had time to surge forward down the left wing evading several tackles as he crossed for King to head narrowly wide.

Jack Cooke, playing on the left of midfield was also making some great runs and it was from one of these runs that he earned his side a penalty. Cooke, picking the ball up deep, sprinted past several defenders and just as he was about to pull the trigger, a defender took the feet from under him-penalty!

There was only one man for the job as McClay stepped up hoping to complete his hat-trick. The keeper had no chance as McClay drove the ball into the bottom right hand corner to seal the victory.

This was a real test for the MCA players and they rose to the challenge with all the players deserving a Man of the Match accolade.

Maiden City Academy: Mulcahy, Leonard, Callaghan, Harkin, Surgeoner, King, McClay (capt), Hamilton, Cooke.