Under 17s maintain 100 per cent record

Magherafelt Sky Blues U17 - 3

MAGHERAFELT Sky Blues U17s maintained their 100% record with a well-deserved 3-0 victory away to Dungiven.

It was a brilliant defensive display that laid the foundation for this result. The two full-backs, Ben McAllister and Luke Hamilton showed real quality and composure on the ball, and always made themselves available to receive the ball. Matthew Higgins put in his expected solid display and Jonnie Ritchie marshalled his defence from goal and although he didn’t have much to do for most of the game he showed a safe pair of hands when called upon. It has to be said that the most impressive display came from man-of-the-match Jack Barton who oozed class for the whole of the game and his impressive defensive display was topped with 2 fine goals.

The first goal came midway through the first half from a corner following a quality delivery from Ben McAllister. The Sky Blues threatened at every set piece and Jack Barton rose on this occasion to head home. The away team were on top for most of the first half and Dungiven did well to go in 1-0 down at the end of the first half.

The Sky Blues were still as dominant in the second half and the midfield took control of the game creating several chances to extend their lead. Sean Rocks and Jason Ritchie always seemed to come away with the ball this despite being on the receiving end of some nasty challenges, Harry Mulholland played some clever passes to the Sky Blues forwards and Cameron Hawthorne and Shane Heavron worked tirelessly down the flanks. Jack Barton got his second following a corner squeezing the ball in from a really tight angle. The third goal came near the end when Jason Ritchie put Cameron Hawthorne through and he kept his cool to finish for a well-deserved third goal. This was the U17s best performance of the season but further improvement will be required to maintain their good start to the season.

Dungiven must count themselves unlucky as they have had some really difficult fixtures to begin the season with and on the basis of this performance it will not be long before they begin to collect points on a regular basis.