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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 131

U-18 v Tartarahan
(7-a-side, League Stage)
06/12/2007

Knocknamuckley were back in action in the 7-a-side competition, having to take on Tartarahan who were undefeated so far in this years competition. Unfortunately, for a number of different reason, Knocknamuckley were missing a number of players, for this tough encounter.

Knocknamuckley nearly opened the scoring when Kris Duprey, returning to the side, struck an ambitious volley which flew like a bullet, the keeper doing well to see it around the post. John Henderson then nearly scored direct from the resulting corner.

Tartarahan had the next chance, when their forward worked a bit of space and was unlucky to see his effort slide past the post.

Seth Mathers was causing the Tartarahan defence all sorts of problems with his goal kicks, as he was landing them all in awkward places in the Tartarahan box, that they were struggling to deal with. He also nearly set up the opening goal, when a clever long throw out after he had gathered the ball picked out Colly Irwin who was unlucky not to score with a deft flick-on.

Mathers was then forced into making an excellent save high to his left hand side to keep the scores level, and spoiled the Tartarahan attacks time and again with confident takes and punches from crosses in what was a commanding display under the high ball.

Henderson had a headed chance, and Duprey again nearly got on the scoresheet when he nicked the ball of the Tartarahan striker and surged up the middle of the pitch before unleashing another powerful shot, which somehow, the keeper again managed to keep out.

Tartarahan were the team to eventually take the lead when during a scrappy bit of play in the Muckley box the Tartarahan player did well to delay his shot and work space to squeeze in a good strike to give his side the lead.

Before the break, Knocknamuckley were unlucky not to pull things level when a Henderson volley dipped just over the crossbar.

Half time 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 1 Tartarahan

Muckley continued to play well in the second half. Jonathan Mawhinney made a great run with the ball and was unlucky not to score, and Irwin had a volleyed chance, and despite making a good contact was unable to keep it down.

Knocknamuckley's task was made all the harder when Tartarahan took their first chance of the half. The Tartarahan striker found himself through on goal, timed his strike perfectly with a great dink over the advancing keeper.

Muckley were now facing a great uphill task, and things were reshuffled as they went on the attack in search of something from this game.

Henderson came close with a flick-on from a goal kick which just cleared the Tartarahan bar.

The goal did come from a cleverly worked short goal-kick from Mathers. This allowed Duprey to have another long range effort which he again struck beautifully, this time the ball rebounded back into the Tartarahan area. Colly Irwin took full advantage when he struck the ball well, and fired it past the defenders and into the bottom corner of the net to give Muckley a good chance of getting the point they deserved.

Tartarahan nearly killed the game off shortly after with a long range effort which hit the Knocknamuckley bar, and later managed to regain their two goal cushion after a mix up from a goal-kick left them in possession when in on goal.

Knocknamuckley did nearly get a consolation, another thunderous Duprey shot was saved, Irwin was unlucky to only hit the post from the rebound, and Henderson saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper, pretty much summing up the whole game for Muckley.

This was a match which Knocknamuckley should feel disappointed not to have got a point out of, because on the balance of play they were arguably the better side throughout, but luck seemed to desert them in front of goal. However, despite having a number of players missing, the Muckley side showed that they should have nothing to fear from any side in this competition, but need to start making the most of their chances or they won't progress once the knock-out stages are reached.

Full time 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 3 Tartarahan

Team- Mathers; Lamont, Duprey, Russell; Mawhinney , Henderson; C. Irwin: Moneypenny

Goal- C.Irwin