North West & Coleraine Youth League
Draperstown resumed their league campaign on Saturday after a lengthy break due to the poor weather. They recorded an 8-0 victory but this was not Draperstown’s best performance and they know they will have to raise their game and improve their finishing if they want to contend for the league title. The game started well for Draperstown and after 3 minutes they took the lead after a great move involving M.McAuley, Greenwood, T. Flanagan and P.Flanagan who finished well. Coleraine tried to respond straight away and it took a good block from McCabe to prevent a goal scoring chance.
Within minutes of the Coleraine attack O’Hara broke out of defence skipped past three tackles and his shot was just wide. Draperstown were dominant at this stage and a great ball from T.Flanagan was met first time from R.McGuigan but he was ruled offside and the goal disallowed. However the second goal was not long in coming and a good angled shot from T.Flanagan made it 2-0. Two minutes later T.Flanagan could have had another when he showed good skill and strength but his shot hit the post.
Draperstown continued to dominate the game but some wasteful shooting meant the half finished at 2-0. The poor finishing by Draperstown continued after the break and they should have had another 3 goals within 10 minutes of the restart. A break through did come on 15 minutes when long throw from R.McGuigan was collected by P.Flanagan and his chip made it 3-0. Draperstown continued to press and the difference in strength and size in the squads began to tell and O’Hara scored twice in quick succession to make it 5-0.
It seemed that all the Draperstown players were looking for a goal and this resulted in a lack of discipline in the Draperstown team. This allowed Coleraine to have a couple of half chances but they could not capitalise on them. A Draperstown corner caused confusion in the Coleraine penalty area and sub Z. Elalaoui finished smartly to make it 6-0. With 10 minutes left Draperstown were awarded a penalty when Elalaoui was pushed by the Coleraine centre – half. McGuigan stepped up and made it 7-0. There was still time for another Draperstown goal and after good work on the right O.McGuigan found Lagan whose excellent cross was met by P.Flanagan sliding in for his hat-trick.
Team: C. Scullion, M.McAuley, C. McCabe (Capt.), S. O’Hara, C.McAuley, C. McDevitt, T.Greenwood , D. Doyle , P. Flanagan, T. Flanagan, R. McGuigan
Subs: A.Lagan, Z.Elalaoui, O.McGuigan
Scorers: P. Flanagan (3), T. Flanagan, R. McGuigan,(pen) O’Hara(2), Elalaoui(1)
Next Fixture
Fri 12 March 2010: Moyola at Mill Meadow Castledawson. Kick off to be confirmed
Training
Training continues on Wednesday nights in Cahore Park at 6.45pm. All players must attend training.
Fundraising Draw
All and unsold tickets should be returned at training on Wednesday night.
Mini Soccer
The Draperstown Celtic Football Skills Development Centre is scheduled to re-open on 10 April 2010. If you are interested in helping out at the Centre please contact Paul McCallion, the club’s Youth Development Officer on 07841344253. Further details will be on our website and in the local papers closer to the time.
Draperstown Youth Teams
It is hoped that Draperstown Celtic will have 2 youth teams next season competing in the following age groups:
Under 16 – Born on or after 01/01/1995
Under 14 – Born on or after 01/01/1997
The new youth season will start in September 2010 and if you are interested in playing for Draperstown Celtic at the above age groups more information can be obtained by contacting the Youth Development Officer, Paul McCallion on 07841344253.
