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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 131

U-18 v Lurgan BBOB Youth
30/08/2008
(Friendly)

Lurgan BBOB and Knocknamuckley played in another friendly as part of Lurgan BBOB's pre-season preperations, the match took place at Kernan, with the Knocknamuckley team consisting of two overage players due to prior commitments of a number of the Muckley squad.

Lurgan BBOB applied the majority of the pressure in the first half, although Knocknamuckley did manage to fashion a couple of chances. Stuart Campbell was moving well and was picked out on one occasion with a clever through ball from Matthew Parks, and John Henderson was finding room on the ball in midfield. Despite Lurgan BBOB controlling most of the possession as Muckley struggled to hold on to the ball, they were limited to very few chances, and it was a mistake from Parks which led to the opening goal. Two more goals quickly followed as the defence struggled to cope with the pace of the BBOB striker, and the Muckley midfield was getting over run.

Half time Lurgan BBOB 3 v 0 1st Knocknamuckley

The second half Knocknamuckley came out a much more composed side. Lurgan BBOB extended their lead, but the five man midfield was beginning to function better as a unit, and was giving the defence more protestion. Simon Grey was having an excellent game at the back and was now able to keep possession when he won the ball, with the three centre midfielders all looking to get on the ball and pass it about. Mark Henderson, now operating at right back, was giving width as he pushed forward, and making it easier for Muckley to build meaningful attacks.

The hard work and extra organisation in the second half eventually paid off for Knocknamuckley, when John Henderson found himself in the box and calmly squared for Campbell to knock into the net with the keeper stranded.

It was now Knocknamuckley who began to pile on the pressure, as they were making much more effective use of their possesion. Adam McKeown had space to shoot in the box, but lacked composure with his finish as it flashed wide.

A corner led to a second goal for Knocknamuckley as the ball was headed away, Parks met the ball on the edge of the box but his drilled shot was blocked on the line. Mark Henderson picked up the rebound on the right hand side, just inside the penalty area, and he kept his head to pick out Simon Grey and cut the ball back for him to make no mistake and fire the ball into the back of the net.

The final moments of the game were rather even, although Lurgan BBOB were limited to long range efforts, and although Knocknamuckley came close to carving out further chances, were unable to find that killer final ball.

One of the last moves off the game, Muckley forced a corner. The low cross was flicked on by Andrew Poole, who was unlucky to see his deft effort blocked on the line.

Despite the game ending in a defeat, this was a fine display from Muckley,who in the second half especially, showed that they could more than match a side playing regular football with a full pre-season under their belts.

Full Time Lurgan BBOB 4 v 2 1st Knocknamuckley

Team: Mathers, Wright, Lamont, Grey, M.Henderson, Wilson, Poole, Parks, Campbell, Henderson, McKeown

Goals: Campbell, Grey