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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 128

U-18 v Tartarahagn
(7-a-side, League Stage)
13/01/2009

Knocknamuckley opened up this years Lurgan BBOB 7-a-side competition against defending champions Tartarahagn, in a fascinating opening fixture between the last two winners of the competition. The competition was taking place at a different venue, Gordon Playing Fields, after problems arose with hosting it at Dickson Primary School.

Having lost their title to Tartarahagn the previous year, Knocknamuckley were keen to make a point in this opening fixture. The game got into its stride straight from the kick off, and when the ball broke to Adam McKeown, he fired Knocknamuckley into the lead with a powerful finish. The centre forwards goal arriving within the first minute.

Knocknamuckley had caught Tartarahagn cold at the start of the game, and continued pressing to make good use of their better start. John Henderson who was operating in a central midfield role, found room to shoot on his right foot, and made sure to beat the Tartarahagn keeper and double his sides lead.

Knocknamuckley could have further increased their lead. A good long ball from goalkeeper Seth Mathers found Gregg Harrison through on goal. The goalkeeper came out well, but the ball presented itself for the Muckley skipper to have a snap shot at goal, but he could only manage to hit the post.

In a nice move Stephen Russell gathered the ball in the right back position, beat his man and floated a lovely cross to the far post, picking out Adam McKeown who met the ball with a towering header, which he was very unlucky to see go wide.

The champions began to come into the game more as the half went on. They had a shooting opportunity which flew wide, and had another shot which just missed the target following a long throw into the box. A cross into the box provided Tartarahagn with another chance, when Mathers came to gather the high ball he spilt it under pressure from the opposition forward, who when faced with an open goal only managed to hit the post. Justice was probably done on this occasion, as it appeared that a free kick should have been awarded as the forward appeared to barge into Mathers when he had the ball gathered safely. Tartarahagn again missed the target after working another gilt edged opportunity

These misses were to come back to haunt Tartarahagn. As half time approached Knocknamuckley strung the move of the match together. Kris Duprey picked up the ball in central defence, moved forward with it before picking out McKeown down the middle with a good pass. The Muckley striker knocked the ball out right to Russell with his first touch. Russell played the ball back in across the goal to pick out McKeown who had turned his marker and made a great run, before making no mistake with the finish for an almost perfect goal.

Half time 1st Knocknamuckley 3 v 0 Tartarahagn

The goal just on the stroke of half-time gave Knocknamuckley a comfortable lead at the break.

Tartarahagn had learnt a lesson from Muckley in the first half, and this time it was them who caught their opposition napping, with a goal in the first minute. The Tartarahagn play maker got possession out wide, cut in from the flank, and fired a low shot into the Muckley net.

Knocknamuckley responded well though, and the play was soon up the other end of the field. Simon Grey, who was having a good game at the back, played a pass to Gregg Harrison. Harrison managed to beat his man and his low effort skimmed the outside of the post. Soon after a Harrison throw was flicked away by the Tartarahagn defence to the far touchline, Henderson responded quickest and managed to knock the ball back into the box. McKeown, who was putting in a commanding performance upfront, stretched and got to the ball before the keeper and steered it into the net, to complete a fine hat-trick.

It was again McKeown who was causing the problems, when he picked up the ball on the left, cut in on his unfavoured right foot and attempted a curled effort, but his shot was well blocked by the foot of a Tartarahagn defender.

John Henderson was controlling the play in midfield well, in a return to his form of two seasons ago, and was rewarded with his second goal of the game, with a shot from a similar position to his first.

Grey saw a shot from distance sail just over. At the other end, Knocknamuckley were caught out badly, when a simple long ball managed to play a player in, clean through on goal with the Muckley defence no-where to be seen for a simple goal.

Mathers had really found his range with goal-kicks, and was regularly dropping them in the danger area in the opposition box. One such kick dropped perfectly, and was met by a delicate Henderson flick on, but was just unable to guide it the right side of the post.

Tartarahagn had another shot fly wide, before Grey was again unlucky with a long range effort, which the keeper was forced to turn away with a good stop.

A good tight passing move from Knocknamuckley culminated in a shot from Stuart Campbell, who was introduced as a second half substitute, but saw his effort fly wide of the target. Campbell who had a hard act to follow after McKeown's three goal heroics, also impressed up-front, having appeared to add more running and aggression to his game, a side which had previously needed improving. Soupy was rewarded for his increased work-rate when he managed to swivel and steer the ball home for a fine goal on the turn as the keeper rushed out following a Grey through ball.

Campbell nearly got a second later but saw his shot turned away for a corner.

The game finished, and gave Knocknamuckley a pleasing opening victory, with some very impressive performances across the side, none more so than Adam McKeown, while John Henderson and Stuart Campbell impressed. Hopefully, this side can improve as the season goes on and try and achieve the heights of two seasons ago locally, and maybe even challenge for honours on a wider front.

Full time 1st Knocknamuckley 6 v 2 Tartarahagn

Team- Mathers; Grey, Duprey; Russell, Henderson, Harrison; McKeown: Campbell, McConnell.

Goals- McKeown 3, Henderson 2, Campbell.

gregg · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 16

Hendo play twice did he?? Laughing

How about including my name.....fruit!! Twisted Evil

hendo is lash · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Posts: 1

For soupy's goal it wasnt simon that played him through it was me!!

I am LASH!!!!!