Rathfriland U9s get back to winning ways

RATHFRILAND U9s played Windmill Colts on the final day of the IFA Games Development Centre at the Abbey Grammar and returned to winning ways with an excellent display of attacking football.

The team started brightly with Adam Trimble and Shane Haughey causing the Windmill defence all sorts of trouble but they could not find a way past the agile keeper nor the woodwork.

After 10 minutes of early Rathfriland pressure the locals were caught napping at the back and fell a goal behind. This appeared to sting them into action and a clever pass from Daniel Lappin released Alex McKee who made no mistake to blast home the equaliser before the break.

After the break Frank Finlay and Daniel Lappin started to control the midfield and some excellent passing play set up Haughey to score twice in quick succession before McKee scored his second of the game. Windmill did occasionally threaten but Johnny McGivern and Stephen McElroy were superb at the back with McGivern making one last ditch sliding challenge to block what would have been a certain goal.

On the few occasions they did break through Jack Maginn in goal was unbeatable. At the other end Trimble got his reward for his hard work up front when he neatly slotted home from eight yards out.

In the final period McKee and Haughey completed their hat tricks, McElroy scored a powerful left footed drive, Lappin got a well deserved goal and McGivern capped a man of the match display with an excellent run and shot.

Caretaker coach Ivor Trimble said, “This was a great team display with clever passing throughout the team bringing its rewards”. (rathfrilandfcyouth.com)

Team: Jack Maginn, Johnny McGivern, Stephen McElroy, Adam Trimble, Alex McKee, Shane Haughey, Frank Finlay, Daniel Lappin. Man of the Match: Johnny McGivern