Treble success for teenagers

The Belfast boys took the lead in the early stages of the game, however, after that early opener Maiden City upped the tempo and the hard work paid off when William Donaghey stroked the ball home from an acute angle giving the keeper no chance.

The game was evenly contested after the equaliser but in the second half St Oliver Plunkett’s came flying out of the blocks, and only for resolute defending and some great saves, Maiden City managed to maintain parity.

Finally the visitors registered what proved to be the winning goal following a great penetrating run from Nathan Clifford who latched onto the through pass from Andrew Gillfillan before applying the finish.

However, once again St Oliver Plunkett’s came back in search of an equaliser but great aerial dominance from Cathal Connelly and Rian McKelvey at the heart of defence kept them at bay.

Maiden City could have stretched their lead but for a great save by the Oliver Plunkett’s keeper who denied Kyle Deery but it was an impressive team performance from the Derry boys.

While Maiden City Under-15’s maintained their unbeaten start to the National League season with a superb 3-0 victory over Glenavon in Lurgan.

The Derry outfit started well and broke the deadlock when ‘man of the match’ Callum Moorehead made a great run and slotted the ball through to Shane Brennan who was upended in the penalty area and when the referee pointed to spot, Brennan converted.

MCA continued to control the game with Francis and Sharkey bossing the midfield and the visitors doubled their advantage at the start of the second half when Brennan tapped into the net from a corner.

It was soon 3-0 when a move involving McLaughlin, Brennan and Francis ended with Kyle Walker finishing superbly.

Meanwhile Maiden City U13 travelled to Magherafelt Sky Blues following a two week break yet there was no signs of a lack of match sharpness as they dominated the early exchanges and cruised to a 2-0 win.

And they took an early lead when Eoghan Crilly forced the Magherafelt keeper to produce an excellent save but the ball fell kindly to Cian Catney who made no mistake from 10 yards.

MCA increased their lead shortly afterwards when Jack Doherty rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the corner of the net.

In the second half MCA continued to dominate and spurned a number of goalscoring opportunities and while Magherafelt also created chances the MCA defence held on to record their first clean sheet of the season.