North West & Coleraine Youth League
The Draperstown Youth push for the title is back on track following a comprehensive defeat of Coleraine under 14’s on a freezing Saturday morning at Coleraine.
Draperstown started the brighter and on 5 minutes a shot from centre–half McCabe hit the post and rebounded out to McGuigan who struck the ball from a tight angle about 15 yards out to make it 1-0.
The freezing cold had an effect on both sets of players and for the next 15 minutes it was a scrappy game with neither side creating a worthwhile chance. However on 20 minutes a goal mouth scramble resulted in a rushed Coleraine clearance – the ball fell kindly to McCabe who hit a lovely shot from 20 yards to make it 2-0. To their credit the young Coleraine team responded well and went straight onto the attack. The Coleraine right winger beat the full back and put in a great cross but the forward’s shot was tame and Scullion gathered. Coleraine continued to attack and a poor back pass put Scullion under pressure and his rushed clearance went out for a throw. That proved to be the last chance of the half for Coleraine and on 30 minutes Draperstown got their third when a great run from P. Flanagan was spotted by C. McAuley and his pass gave Flanagan a chance for the shot which the keeper got his finger tips to but could not keep out.
Draperstown continued to attack and should possibly have had 2 more goals in quick succession. In the 35th minute O’Hara collected the ball from the kick out, side stepped 3 tackles and hit an unstoppable shot from fully 30 yards to make it 4-0. Just before the half time whistle P. Flanagan collected the ball inside his own half and surged up the left wing beating 3 players and whipped in a great cross but the Draperstown forwards were not able to finish.
Coleraine came out brightly in the second half and in the first minute the winger sent in a good cross which was met by the centre – forward but his goal ward shot was brilliantly blocked by McCabe. Coleraine continued to press and a poor Draperstown clearance meant the ball fell to the Coleraine centre forward who was bundled over and the referee pointed to the spot. The penalty was converted in off the post to make it 4-1. That was the last worthwhile Coleraine attack of the game as the Draperstown defence of M. McAuley, McCabe, O’Hara and English comfortably kept the Coleraine attack at bay.
Draperstown then went on a scoring spree with T.Flanagan getting 2 goals in 2 minutes. The first one as a result of great play on the right from McDevitt and the second a header after a good cross from C.McAuley. In the 16th minute of the second half Draperstown got their 7th goal when McGuigan beat the off side trap after a clever ball from McCabe and he slotted the ball past the keeper. Two minutes later McGuigan turned provider when good play between him and O’Hara set up McCabe for his second and Draperstown’s eight. Draperstown were hungry for another goal and Greenwood, after some clever footwork, was unlucky not to score when his goal bound shot was deflected over for a corner. The last goal of the game came when McKenna collected the ball in midfield, burst through a couple of tackles and rifled home from 10 yards to finish the game 9-1.
Best on the day for Draperstown were McGuigan, McCabe and man of the match P. Flanagan
Draperstown Youth (4-4-2)
C. Scullion, J. English, C. McCabe (Capt.) S. O’Hara, M. McAuley, C. McAuley, C.McKenna, P.Flanagan, A. Lagan, T.Flanagan, R .McGuigan
Subs: T.Greenwood, S. McBride, C. McDevitt, J. McAuley, D. Doyle
Next Fixture
Sat 05th December VS Coleraine Under 15’s at Cahore Park
Training
Training continues at Cahore on Wednesday evening at 6-45pm. Please bring both boots and trainers.
Tickets
Please bring all ticket returns (sold and unsold) to training on Wednesday night.
