www.knocknamuckleybb.co.uk

Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 131

U-18 v Annaghmore
(7-a-side, League Stage)
14/12/2006

A lack of players available for this Thursday night match led to Knocknamuckley only having seven players for their match against Annaghmore. To get the most out of the seven players, Knocknamuckley began the game in unfamiliar fashion, adopting a 3-2-1 formation for the first time this season. Muckley had to kick off a man down as their captain, Drew Gardiner, was late after a physio appointment.

The man deficit didn’t seem to affect Knocknamuckley too much, as Annaghmore didn’t cause any real problems before Gardiner’s arrival.

The opening exchanges were tight, with neither team dominating, but both midfields playing good football. As the game progressed, Muckley began to get a hold on the game, as they adapted excellently to their new formation. Especially Johnny Mawhinney who was having a great game at left back, with some great tackles and some good, solid play.

Mawhinney won the ball again, having put pressure on the Annaghmore player in possession. He then took a touch before sliding a great through ball past the defence to Colly Irwin, down the left hand inside channel. Colly managed to pass the ball round the advancing keeper, with his right foot, and a deflection off the leg of an Annaghmore defender, while trying to clear the ball off the line, helped the ball into the net.

The goal led to a period of Annaghmore pressure. Using both flanks well, Annaghmore proceeded to get in two excellent crosses. The first cross came from the left hand side, looking very dangerous. Seth Mathers the Knocknamuckley keeper got a fist to the ball and punched clear. Moments later another dangerous cross was played in from the other side. Again Mathers dealt with it well, this time managing to hold on to it.

Muckley relieved some of the pressure when they had a few brief attacks. During one of these the whole defence managed to drift up, leaving two Annaghmore attackers free in the Muckley box, unmarked. Annaghmore won the ball back and broke quickly, playing the ball into these two players. Fortunately, Muckley were let off, when between them, they managed to let the chance slip away, without even getting a shot away.

Knocknamuckley managed to reclaim control of the game after this spell of Annaghmore pressure.

One of a few Muckley corners led to a goal line clearance. Jon Henderson expertly picked out Gardiner at the backpost and his header was hacked off the line.

Seth was called into action again when forced to save with his foot from a low shot.

Great pressure on the ball from Henderson led to him deservedly winning it after hassling and pressurising. Jon laid the ball off for Drew, who had his drive well blocked.

Half time 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 0 Annaghmore

The second half began well, with Muckley playing very good football, but only had a Colly Irwin shot to show for their efforts.

Despite never looking like conceding, Knocknamuckley allowed Annaghmore to grab an equaliser. Once again Muckley let themselves down with poor marking, as the unmarked player was able to score.

In order to try and claw back the three points that Muckley deserved, Andrew Irwin was switched from right back to centre forward, where he has played in the other three games, his namesake Colly moving the other way.

On a high after the goal, Annaghmore had another effort that Mathers had to save, again with his right foot.

Muckley were able to respond, and started to play with a higher tempo. Hendo and Graeme Jardine were beginning to dominate in midfield, with clever interchanges of passes, involving their fullbacks well, and defending well and with great passion. Their efforts in defence had been paying off all half as they got close and give the Annaghmore players no time on the ball. This paid dividends as the Annaghmore playmaker, who was limited to very little time on the ball, was restricted to flicks and tricks which were rarely paying off and began to grow frustrated and lost any influence on the game thanks to the efforts of Hendo, Jardine and Mawhinney.

Andrew Irwin had an immediate affect in his usual position, and started causing different problems for the defenders, which they found difficult to adapt to. Irwin’s first chance came from a good ball across which he tried to flick towards goal. Another chance soon followed when strong running, led to him catching a ball over the top which he managed to give a strong poke, the keeper making an excellent diving block.

The game was running out of time, and it looked like Annaghmore were going to sneak a draw. However, when Gardiner carried the ball out of defence, he was able to pick out Andrew Irwin at the left post with a good ball. Bun swung on the ball and got a good strike. The keeper came out for the block, despite getting to the ball he was only able to slow the shot down, as it squeezed through his outstretched legs. The ball had slowed sufficiently to stop it from going in. Jardine managed to get to the ball first as he continued his surge from midfield, and smashed it home from a yard to get the three points that Muckley deserved.

This was the best performance of the seaon so far, as all seven players played well, played with great heart and gelled well. It was also pleasing to see the way they came back after conceding the equaliser and had a great desire to win the game.

Full time 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 1 Annaghmore

Team- Mathers, A. Irwin, Gardiner, Mawhinney, Henderson, Jardine, C. Irwin.

Goal- C. Irwin, Jardine