Poor display ends in defeat

LURGAN Town’s U11 Mid-Ulster team performed poorly on Saturday and ended up losing 3-1 to Cookstown Youth.

On the back of some good performances recently the boys went into the game with confidence and playing against a Cookstown team that was placed below them in the league.

However, the team were sluggish from the first whistle and Cookstown were showing more composure and attacking intent in their play.

It was Cookstown who deservedly took the lead when Lurgan didn’t clear the ball properly. Lurgan did improve as the game went on with Tyler Boyce and Luke Nelson giving solid performances.

This gave Lurgan Town a bit more confidence to attack with Lewis McKinley playing some nice passes through the Cookstown defence for strike partner Nathan Stewart only for the ball to zip of the wet grass and into the keeper’s hands. Then Shea McConville was really unlucky as he hit a great shot from outside the area only for it to fly past the post. Half-Time 0-1.

The 2nd half seen Lurgan make two changes early on and it paid off when Josh Wells got an equaliser as his shot deflected high into the Cookstown net. However, within minutes of equalising Cookstown took the lead again after some slack defending.

With Lurgan behind again they began to attack for the equaliser with Luke McCartney showing up well on the left wing, he got in a number of good crosses but unfortunately chances were missed.

The killer goal arrived when a Lurgan player handled the ball just outside the penalty area. The Cookstown player scored a great free kick to seal the win. Full-Time 1-3

Lurgan will need to move on from this disappointment quickly and get back to performing to their usual standard. Tyler Boyce stood out for a great defensive display and he was awarded Man of the Match.

Squad: Ruairi Hurle, Thomas Perera, Timmy Millen, Luke Nelson, Tyler Boyce, Tom Glynn, Odhran Crozier, Shea McConville, Luke McCartney, Nathan Stewart, Lewis McKinley, Josh Wells, Philip Balfour, Gareth Silcock, Phelim Flannery.