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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 63

U-18 v 7th Portadown
10/02/2007
(Northern Ireland Cup, 1st Round)

Knocknamuckley were drawn away from home in the First Round against local rivals 7th Portadown. The match took place on Saturday afternoon at Kernan Playing Fields, on what was a wet and slightly boggy pitch after some rain that morning. Knocknamuckley were missing a few influential players but were still able to field a more than capable side for this very important fixture in the Boy's Brigade season.

7th Portadown made an excellent start to the match, taking the lead in the fourth minute. A Methodist player was able to pick out the excellent run of one of the Portadown players in from the right flank, the attacker managed to take the ball in his stride and slide past the advancing Mathers in the Muckley goal.

Understandably the game took on a lot less importance in the following five minutes. What seemed like an innocuous tackle ended up with Johnny Mawhinney getting hurt. He was unable to move or touch his left shin, just above the shin guard and was in an awful amount of pain, and an ambulance was needed to take him to the hospital to get the injury seen to, with a suspected broken leg. I'm sure everybody would like to pass on their best wishes to Johnny and hope he gets well soon.

When the ambulance had arrived and taken Mawhinney to the hospital, Knocknamuckley had managed to concede another three goals in the 10 minutes and the game was over as a contest as the 11 remaining Muckley players had more important things on their mind.

Knocknamuckley did manage to pull a goal back. A foul on Graeme Jardine when inside the box resulted in a penalty. Gregg Harrison stepped up to take it, attempting to chip it into the keepers top right hand corner. The goalie hadn't committed himself and managed to get to the ball comfortably getting to the ball, but seemed to miss judge it, allowing Muckley on the scoreboard.

The Methodist managed to regain their four goal advantage. Muckley again pulled another goal back when good play from Colly Irwin saw him turn on the edge of the box, putting the ball through the legs of the last defender for Graeme Jardine, who had broke from midfield to poke the ball home.

The half finished with Portadown increasing their goal tally to lead by 6 goals to 2. By this stage the game had lost all of its original shape with many of the Methodist player had began to, what some might call showboating, whilst others may just call “taking the mick”.

Half time 7th Portadown 6 v 2 1st Knocknamuckley

Despite the game being out of reach it was very important to inject a bit of fight, a bit of pride and a bit of passion to regain some dignity. The players responded well to the half time team-talk and began the second half with renewed energy and desire.

Their aim was quickly achieved, as the Methodist quickly stopped playing with the over confident “showboating” that had become a trend in the first half, as the Muckley team began to get more time on the ball and exert good pressure on the Portadown defence.

Now playing in a 4-3-3 formation the Knocknamuckley players began to link better with each other as the team began to talk more, and got their reward when the second penalty of the game was awarded when Stephen Bell was upended in the box, the Methodist keeper fouled “Dinger” as he poked the ball past the oncoming keeper and was rightfully awarded a penalty . Harrison again took the penalty and hit this one more firmly to the opposite side of the goal into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance on this occasion.

Knocknamuckley continued to have at least an even proportion of the play, and were continuing to use the ball well when in possession. A third penalty was awarded in Muckley's favour when a Portadown defender was adjudged to have fouled Jardine as he surged along the bye line towards the goal. In actual fact, the Methodist player was hard done by as it was an excellent tackle which won the ball cleanly before Jardine had a chance to pick out one of his team mates. Harrison again took the penalty, looking for an unusual hat-trick of penalties. Having already taken twice, Harrison was unsure where to put the ball and despite striking it well justice was probably done when the keeper made a good save.

More Muckley pressure led to a corner which Jon Henderson went over to take. When hitting the ball Jon fell to the ground when his calf muscle gave way and ended up having to limp back to the changing room. Having already brought Henderson on for Mawhinney, Muckley were forced to finish the game with only ten men.

Now both Muckley's midfield and attack were narrow, meaning that the Methodist defence had also narrowed leaving space down the flanks. Muckley captain Andrew Irwin began to take full advantage of this, making some surging runs down the right touch line from his position at full-back. One such run took him from the edge of his 18-yard box to the edge of the oppositions box, beating three or four Portadown players on his way, before he was awarded a foul. Whether or not he was fouled was debatable, as his tumble was definitely exaggerated. This didn't prove a talking point though as the shot from the free kick cleared the bar.

Portadown replied with an excellent chip over the keeper from the left wing. The deft chip floated over Mathers in the Muckley net, who had came to his front post to narrow the angle, and dipped under the bar in the far side netting, this was later followed by another goal.

The final Methodist goal was scored from inside the area with an excellent right footed finish into the top corner.

Despite being down to ten men, Muckley still managed to play some good football going forward. When on the attack, a pass from Jardine after breaking into the box, cut out the keeper and left Stephen Russell to slide the ball into the net before the defender managed to get across to attempt a goal line clearance.

Best for Muckley were Duprey who had an excellent game at centre back, showing full commitment and was ably partnered by the reliable Andrew Calvert, who both dealt very well with the Portadown threat in the second half. Matthew Lamont, normally an U-14 centre back had a good game at left back, in the second half, as did Jardine in central midfield.

Overall this was a disappointing result in a big match. The match may have been a lot closer had it not been for the distraction following the disturbing injury to Mawhinney in the first half. On a more positive note, Muckley responded admirably at half time, and did everything that was asked of them. They played with pride and determination, stopped Portadown taking them lightly and might have won the half if it wasn't for the further injury to Henderson.

There are still two trophies to play for during the rest of the season; the LBBOB 7-a-side, and the 11-a-side Battalion Cup. With everybody who took to the pitch on Saturday being young enough to take part in the Northern Ireland Cup next year, the hope of winning it are only over until next
season.

Full Time 7th Portadown 9 v 4 1st Knocknamuckley

Team: Mathers, A.Irwin, Duprey, A.Calvert, Lamont, Jardine, Harrison, Russell, C.Irwin, Bell, Mawhinney (sub Henderson)

Goals: Harrison 2 (2 pen), Jardine, Russell