Stalemate for Sky Blues Under 12s

Coleraine U12 - 0

MAGHERAFELT Sky Blues U12s last Saturday met Coleraine U12s for the third time this season. The match at Spires Park in a North West and Coleraine league fixture was no different from the previous two, being a very tight affair.

The Blues flew out of the starting blocks and could have easily been three goals up inside the first 15 minutes. However, some excellent goal keeping and defending from Coleraine denied them on each occasion.

The first chance fell to Mark Kelly who was sent clear by a Sean Monaghan through ball but his shot just went narrowly wide as the goal keeper raced out.

Kelly was then put clear again by Conor McCluskey and just as the young forward went to pull the trigger after racing the length of the half he was excellently tackled. Following a corner Ronan Young produced an exquisite chipped pass for Kelly and his lobbed shot beat the keeper but fell the wrong side of the post.

Despite these chances Coleraine never gave up and on a number of occasions the Blues defending was very weak and they gifted the visitor’s chances. It took some brave goal keeping by Alex Hancock to keep them out when their attacker raced clear.

The best chance of the half saw Young evade a number of challenges as he worked his way into the box only to see his shot hit the post.

The second half was equally as tight and Coleraine could have scored as the Blues conceded too much possession throughout the team.

On a number of occasions Hancock had to make some super catches when placed under pressure. Adam Currie then prevented a certain goal. The Coleraine forward raced clean through but Currie’s challenge was outstanding as he won the ball and cleared the danger.

It was certainly looked like one goal would win it at and the Blues kept pegging away looking to secure their third win over the Coleraine team. McKeever picked up a loose ball and he fired a super shot of the bar.

Oran Kerr then racing through from right back saw his cross shot go narrowly wide. Jamie Lee Arrell also shot wide following some excellent play by Young.

The final chance fell to substitute Dean Martin but as the young winger was about to shoot he was well challenged and the danger was cleared. The game finished scoreless which was probably a fair result.

The attacking performance by Sky Blues was excellent but they gave far too much possession away too easily which is something they will have to improve as they entertain title challenging Institute U12’s at home next Saturday.

Man of the match was Adam Currie, who produced yet another defensive master class in his first season with the Blues.