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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 128

U-18 v 7th Portadown
(7-a-side, Final)
29/04/2009

Knocknamuckley contested the final of the highly popular Lurgan BBOB Sevens in the impressive surroundings of Mourneview Park. They were returning to the final after two years, after last seasons disappointing exit at the quarter final stage, and in a repeat of the final two seasons ago, would take on fierce rivals 7th Portadown, who had finished 2nd in the UK 5-a-side finals on Saturday. Knocknamuckley progressed to the final with a 2-1 win over Ahorey in the semi final; while Portadown progressed thanks to a penalty shoot out against Charlemont A, after having disposed of Charlemont B in the same manner in the quarter finals.

Knocknamuckley have made a habit of scoring early goals recently, and managed to continue this habit, taking the lead early on. Andy Calvert picked out Gregg Harrison down the left hand side, who fed a pass to Adam McKeown, just in front of goal. McKeown took a swing at the ball, completely missing it. Fortunately for McKeown the ball was still at his feet, and he reacted to poke the ball into the net for a precious early lead.

Despite the early goal, Muckley had the appearance of a team who was yet to settle, as they failed to close 7th Portadown down when they gained possession. The Methodist side failed to hurt Muckley despite their lack lustre start, and the next chance fell Muckley’s way. Simon Grey fed a free kick into Harrison, inside the box, and his first time shot was well blocked.

It was from another free kick with which Muckley next tested the Methodist defence. Harrison fired in a free kick from wide on the right hand side, which deflected off a Portadown player, and went for a corner kick.

Knocknamuckley looked certain to double their advantage when McKeown was played through on goal. When faced with the goalkeeper he passed left to John Henderson to try and take the goalkeeper out of the equation, however from the narrow angle Henderson choose to return the pass to McKeown who was in a more central position. Another couple of passes ensued, as the Portadown defence was given time to get back, and the chance was wasted.

Portadown’s main threat was coming from set piece situations, especially corners, from which they were causing problems for Muckley. It was from a set piece that they managed their first shot of note, when a free kick was aimed at goal, and required a good block by the Muckley defence. They continued to build a small period of pressure when a volley also required a good block to keep the Muckley goal in tact.

The pressure was relieved when Knocknamuckley received a free kick, just inside the Portadown half. The free kick was aimed in towards the Methodist goal, and Stuart Campbell, who had just been introduced upfront, ducked out of the way at the last minute, having unsighted the goalkeeper. The goalie was unable to gather the shot as he had seen it at the very last moment, and Campbell reacted quickest to poke the ball towards goal. The ball appeared to have gone in, but rebounded off the inside of the post and rolled across goal, where Henderson was able to pounce, and knock the ball in to give Muckley a two goal cushion with only a few minutes left to half time.

It was important that Muckley defended well for the remainder of the half, as a two goal advantage at half time could have been decisive. Credit to Portadown though, as they immediately went on the attack and soon managed to force a corner. The initial corner was blocked, but went out for another corner. The ball was again delivered at pace, and this time Harrison, who was at the front post, misjudged the flight of the ball, readjusted to get his head to the ball and directed it like a bullet into his own goal at the near post. Although there was some doubt from a group of supporters whether the ball at entered the net at the near post, or snuck through a gap in the side-netting.

This was a disappointment for Knocknamuckley, after only having stretched their lead a couple of minutes earlier, and with only one minute remaining on the clock until half time. All of Knocknamuckley’s good work was nearly thrown away as the clock ticked down to half time, when some sloppy defending allowed a Methodist player through on goal, but he was unable to keep his shot on target, for what would have been a devastating blow to Knocknamuckley, as the teams went in with one goal separating them at the break.

Half time 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 1 7th Portadown

7th Portadown began the second half in the ascendency, but the Knocknamuckley defence managed to soak up whatever they had to offer, and then swiftly hit them on the break. Harrison played the ball upfield to McKeown who switched the ball to Stephen Russell on the right flank, but unfortunately he failed to get hold of his shot, which went harmlessly wide.

A long ball from the Methodist appeared to have caught Knocknamuckley out, as their striker gathered and turned towards goal, but Andy Calvert, who has been playing his best football of the season recently, managed to stretch and get his toe to the ball, at the last minute, before the striker was clean through on goal.

Portadown were beginning to look more dangerous, and sent a shot wide of the Muckley goal. As Portadown pressed forward Muckley again exposed space in their defence. McKeown played a ball through into the path of Henderson, who had made a burst from midfield. As Henderson bore down on goal he maintained his composure and slotted confidently passed the keeper, for his seventh in this year’s competition, and to give his side a necessary cushion.

Portadown again threatened through a set piece situation when they were awarded a free kick on the right hand side of the pitch. The Portadown central defender took the free kick and fired a shot through the crowded goal-mouth which Mathers got down smartly to save. Calvert reacted quickly to clear the ball, and with it the danger.

Knocknamuckley appeared to let another chance go begging as they tried to kill the game off for good. Stuart Campbell received the ball just inside the Portadown area, and picked out Gregg Harrison. Harrison played the ball square to Henderson, but as Hendo was closed down he seemed to hit a powerful cross t o Campbell who was only feet away from the midfielder.

The next Muckley attack again came from deep, as Calvert intercepted the ball in defence and played a super pass with the outside of his boot to Campbell on the right flank. Soupy passed the ball inside, into the run of Harrison, splitting the defence. Harrison stepped round the keeper, but could only hit the post from a tight angle. However, Harrison did get his goal, when Henderson picked him out with a through ball. Harrison’s powerful shot was smartly saved, but when the rebound fell to him, he kept his head to finish at the second attempt.

Portadown had been pushing forward throughout the half, which was opening up gaps for Muckley to exploit on the break. Although the defensive partnership of Simon Grey and Andy Calvert had been coping brilliantly with the Portadown attack, Graham Cowan was introduced with just under 10 minutes to go, to help snuff out any chance of a Portadown comeback, and slotted in brilliantly, with some good challenges, and powerful headers.

As the game slipped towards its conclusion, Portadown did manage a consolation goal with 30 seconds left on the clock, as Seth Mathers spilt a deep cross. The ball dropped at the feet of a Portadown attacker, he was able to tap the ball into the net, to make the score-line appear a little closer.

The full time whistle blew moments later and Knocknamuckley became the first side to win this trophy for a second occasion in its 6th year.

Full time 1st Knocknamuckley 4 v 2 7th Portadown

7th Portadown were presented with their runners-up medals, before Knocknamuckley were presented with their winners medals, 5 of whom were recieving a BB Sevens winners medal for the second time, and team captain, Gregg Harrison, was presented with the Lurgan BBOB BB Sevens Trophy.

Knocknamuckley illustrated today why they are worthy winners of this competition, with a fine display, on an admittedly poor surface. Seth Mathers organised his defence well, while Simon Grey played to his normal standard, imperious in the air and solid as a rock at the back. His defensive partner Andrew Calvert continued his fine form, with his characteristic interceptions and important challenges. Gregg Harrison impressed, especially with his range of passing, while John Henderson, who has been great all tournament was organised in defence, and impressive in attack, and Stephen Russell patrolled the right hand side with a tidy display. Adam McKeown put himself about and importantly opened the scoring and Stuart Campbell impressed from the bench with his energy, and linked play beautifully. Colin Irwin came on and gave everything to add energy to the midfield and Graham Cowan was introduced and immediately appeared solid and reliable in defence. A big well done to the whole squad, and everyone who featured during the whole tournament.

Team: Mathers; Grey, Calvert; Russell, Henderson, Harrison; McKeown: Campbell, C.Irwin, Cowan.

Goals: McKeown, Henderson 2, Harrison.

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Parks · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 22

soupy9 · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 4

Absolute legend he is Wink

"impressive surroundings of Mourneview Park"

Laughing

btw, I didnt consent for my photo to be on the internet...im only a minor

Parks · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 22

What a pun!! Smile

Sorry, didn't realise that you didn't consent... I'll just have to not include you in any team photos before or after the NI Cup final then.... Rolling Eyes