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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 128

U-14 National 5-a-side
(Round 2)
02/01/2009

Knocknamuckley travelled down to Kilkeel on Friday evening for the second round of the National 5-a-side competition. After the withdrawal of one of the sides, the group consisted of three teams, two of which would progress to the next round, the Irish Finals.

The first game was between hosts 3rd Kilkeel and 1st Milltown. The game finished 1-0 to Kilkeel, following a controversial free kick, which should have been indirect, but the goal was awarded.

v 1st Milltown

Knocknamuckley's first game against fellow Portadown Battalion BB, Milltown. After losing the first match, another defeat would send Milltown out and Knocknamuckley threw. The opening exchanges were very scrappy with neither side passing the ball, or getting forward well. It was Milltown who seemed to click quickest and this was rewarded with the opening goal. This could soon have been more as Milltown began to pile on the pressure. John Uprichard was required to make a telling block to prevent a goal, and later a scramble occurred in front of the Muckley penalty area. Muckley's best move of the half was to come, and a good passing move put them on the attack, but came to no avail. Milltown were soon applying the pressure again and had the ball in the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out as the player had strayed into the goalkeeper's area. On the stroke of half time it took a diving save to his right from Peter Stewart in the Muckley goal to keep the score at 1-0.

Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 1 1st Milltown

In the second half Muckley started trying to push forward a bit more, having failed to test the Milltown keeper in the first half. However, Milltown took advantage of Muckley's increased adventure and capitalised with a second goal. Knocknamuckley managed their first shot on target shortly after threw Andrew Connolly, but were soon 3 down when some poor marking led to Milltown's third of the game. Connolly again managed to test the keeper, and a quick Ian Irwin free-kick went narrowly wide of the post, but Knocknamuckley were unable to get themselves on the score sheet.

Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 3 1st Milltown

v 3rd Kilkeel

The second and final game, coming straight after their previous match, was against hosts 3rd Kilkeel. The way the previous two games had played out meant that a 2 goal victory was needed to send Muckley through on goals scored. Unfortunately, Knocknamuckley started slowly and it required a last ditch tackle from Thomas Adamson to break up a promising Kilkeel attack. Knocknamuckley were soon indebted to captain, Peter Stewart, for keeping the scores level, as he made a string of fine saves. Firstly, he made an excellent save as he readjusted to push clear as he dived in the opposite direction. Soon after he pulled off another great save after a wicked deflection changed the flight of the ball, which was creeping in at the opposite post, and made a further good save to again deny the Kilkeel attack. Knocknamuckley had their first chance to shoot as the ball presented itself nicely to Ian Irwin, but he hesitated allowing defenders to get back and failed to get his shot away. It was Kilkeel who took the lead with a cracking shot, which Stewart could do nothing about. John Uprichard broke forward and nearly pulled his side level when his shot was saved at the near post. In a strange sequence of events Kilkeel came within inches of increasing their lead, which nearly lead to a Muckley equaliser. A low, firm Kilkeel shot angled across the goal, hitting the inside of the post. The rebound of the post travelled up the far end of the pitch to Andrew Connolly who laid it off for Ian Irwin who beat the keeper, but was unable to hit the target.

Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 1 3rd Kilkeel

The second half saw Muckley really begin to press, and show their true form. Irwin had a good shot blocked, and Connolly fired wide from an Irwin pass. Knocknamuckley strung together a nice move when Uprichard won the ball, Irwin played a pass to Connolly who hit the ball first time with his left foot, burying the ball into the top corner for a lovely goal. Connolly and Irwin combined well in the corner to win the ball, hold on to it, and work it out of the tight space for Thomas Adamson to shoot. Stewart was called into action at the far end making a save. Knocknamuckley nearly forged in front when Irwin volleyed after Connolly chested the ball down but the shot flashed wide. Kilkeel also had their chance to win it but their striker volleyed against the bar from point blank range.

Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 1 3rd Kilkeel

Unfortunately, Knocknamuckley were the team who lost out and exited the competition. Milltown and Kilkeel deserved to progress on the night when Knocknamuckley were outplayed, when things just didn't click for them.

Team- Stewart, T.Adamson, Connolly, I.Irwin, Uprichard.

Tuda Murphy · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:17 pm Post subject:

Reports claim the stressed out gaffer went on a rampage after the tournament, killing 41 cats, 3 hamsters, a chawawa and 4 zebras...

Tuda Murphy · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:20 pm Post subject:

At next weeks training a further 13 cats lost their lives...