NIBFA Cup woe for Acadmey Under-16's

They got off to the perfect start as Dean Murray's shot was fumbled into the net by the City keeper. The visitors responded forcing Jamie McAllister into three one-on-one shots.

With the half time whistle Armagh broke through and the centre forward coolly fired the ball past McAllister to level the scores. At the start of the second half Coleraine took the game to Armagh and began to control the match but could not find a way through the stubborn defence of Armagh.

The teams entered extra time with Coleraine appearing the most likely to score. David Healy went through when a fantastic piece of skill saw McNamee chest the ball to Healy who saw his shot rebound off the keeper’s legs. The second period of extra time saw Coleraine lose two goals in quick succession both due to lapses in defence and as Coleraine pressed to find a way back the fourth goal was conceded.

Overall it was a good entertaining game of youth football but a bitter disappointment for Coleraine and their coach Stevie McCann.

He said: “Even the referee asked me how did you lose that game. But to be fair to Armagh they took their chances, we didn't and if you make mistakes you get punished.

"Like Victor Hunter said to me later in the day they are young lads only learning the game remember that. I am very proud of each of them and I have high hopes for them long term, hopefully they learn from this year.

“I would like to thank the club for making the Showgrounds available for us to play the game and the parents who supplied the refreshments after the game.

"To John and the ground staff, Aaron Forgrave and Victor Hunter and their assistants the boys would like to thank them for all the help during this season and their timely words of advice and guidance.

"I know John, Damian and I appreciate all they have done for the boys. Thank you."

The Under-16's will now finish their league programme before preparing for this year’s Foyle Cup competition.

U10's

With the season nearly over, the Coleraine Academy Under-10’s played the first of their three remaining fixtures against Institute and recorded a good 3-0 win.

After a goalless first half, it wasn’t long before Scott Weir put them in front. Scott soon made it 2-0 after some great work from Kori Doherty.

Subs were made and Max Beattie came on to keep the attack going. His first impact was to take the ball past two defenders before sliding it into the bottom corner to seal the win and a very good team performance.

Man of the Match: Kori Doherty.

U11's

Coleraine Olympic and Coleraine Alexandra Under-11's fought out a hard game on Saturday morning at The Crescent. The game was a bit scrappy at the start but Alexandra had a lot of possession and restricted their other team to having any say in the game.

The battle was in midfield and Alan Dunn and Matthew Watt for the second week in a row had a great game, Bailey Devine on the right wing had his best game to date with some brilliant runs down the wing.

Coleraine Olympic started to come into the match and with 20 minutes gone in the first when a long range shot beat Brandon Stockman to give them the lead.

Olympic made it 2-0 soon after as they caught Alexandra on the break.

Alexandra piled on the pressure in a bid to get back in the game, but it was Olympic who nearly scored again but for great defending from Dylan Hull and Dylan Godfrey.

Congratulations to both teams the way the match was played and well done to Coleraine Olympic in their victory.

Man of Match: Connor Lundy.

U12's

Coleraine started the brighter against Beckett's Academy, but they just couldn't find the killer ball to threaten their goal.

Just before half time the wee Bannsiders suffered a double blow as they lost Alex Platt through illness and also conceded the opening goal.

Beckett's took control of the game at the start of the second half thanks to two stunning strikes, before they added a fourth.

Alex Platt returned to the fray again after feeling a bit better and he managed to pull a goal back with a well taken shot.

With the final whistle looming Beckett’s scored another long range shot to leave the final score 5-1.

Man of the Match: Joshua McGregor.

U13's

Coleraine Academy U13's travelled to Lurgan on Saturday to play Donegal Celtic in the Mid Ulster League and came away with a share of the points, in an eight goal thriller.

Celtic started the game on top and found themselves 2-0 up after only six minutes, punishing two poor mistakes by the Coleraine defence. This seemed to kick start the Coleraine boys into gear and they started to play some really good football to take control of the game.

Coleraine got their opening goal on 12 minutes, Jeff Purdy latched onto a ball through the middle and steered the ball into the top of the net. Coleraine continued to dominate and got their deserved equaliser on 23 minutes as Oliver Ferris won the ball in midfield, battled his way past three Celtic players and thumped the ball into the net.

As per the first half Donegal Celtic started the second half on top taking the lead again after only five minutes, Coleraine again failing to clear the ball.

Again Coleraine responded and lifted their game creating several good chances to equalise. On 43 minutes Krissy Thompson's corner was knocked down to Barry Daly on the six-yard line and he fired home.

Three minutes later however Celtic scored again to retake the lead.

Coleraine piled on the pressure with Daly, Henderson and Ferris all going close. The Coleraine equaliser finally came on 55 minutes when Danny Henderson collected the ball on the left, made a diagonal run torwards the 18-yard box before firing the ball into the roof of the net.