Under 13s stretch lead at the top

LAST week saw Beckett’s Soccer Academy Under13 team stretch their lead at the top of the North West and District League to eleven points with two crucial victories inside four days.

First came the top of the table clash last Wednesday night when the young undefeated BSA made the long journey from the Toon to Londonderry to take on second-placed Premiership club Institute at the Riverside Stadium, Drumahoe.

The big occasion failed to daunt Paul Gaston’s young team, most of whom had never played at a Premiership stadium under lights before.

But with the pitch in superb condition Beckett’s high tempo passing game was soon evident and they reached the half-time interval with a slender one goal lead courtesy of a third minute strike from ace hitman Dessie ‘the Hawk’ Kearney.

The second half was totally dominated by Beckett’s who went on to score a further five goals with two from Lewis Greer, two from Kieran Neill and one from Rory Strang.

The final whistle sounded and Beckett’s had claimed all three points with a magnificent six nil victory.

Man of the match as selected by the referee was Stevie Johnston from Beckett’s.

Three days later saw Beckett’s entertain Coleraine FC at Megaw Park, Ballymoney on Saturday morning and with six regular players unavailable for various reasons it was a much changed side from the normal starting eleven.

Kieran Neill, George Neill, Rory Strang, Jack McMullan, Chloe McCarron and goalkeeper Benny Connor were all absent but this gave Beckett’s management team of Paul Gaston, Ricky Wade and Mark Freeman an opportunity to run the eye over the six young replacements and they all did well.

Although far from a vintage Beckett’s - type performance they still possessed too much firepower for Coleraine and ran out comfortable 6-2 winners.

Coleraine also deserve credit for their never-say-die attitude but goals from Beckett’s Jack Danton (2), Dessie Kearney (2), Elliot Pearson and one from skipper Dano Scozarri saw the team from the Toon take all three points. Man of the match was Dano Scozarri.

Another excellent result for the team given the number of players unavailable.

Indeed an outfield player had to pull on the goalkeeping gloves and they had no substitutes available.

The claiming of all six points from the two games has seen Beckett’s move further ahead at the top of the league and tremendous credit must go to manager Paul Gaston and his staff of Ricky Wade and Mark Freeman as they attempt to win the league in their first ever competitive season.

Beckett’s would like to thank all the parents who turned up last week to support the team and would advise all who intend to do likewise this Saturday that the game is away to Donemana Under 13s with an 11am kick-off.

The team will depart at 8.30am from the normal Biesty’s Filling Station car park, Portrush Road.