Match Report
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U-18 National 5-a-sideU-18 National 5-a-side
(Round 1)
17/11/2007
Saturday saw Knocknamuckley U-18's play in a 5-a-side competition for the second time within a week. Following their triumph in the Portadown Battalion competition the side were full of confidence going into the first round of the National Competition, which saw them travel to Ballymena in a group containing, 6th Ballymena, 3rd Kilkeel and 4th Newtonabbey. The top two teams in the group would progress to the second round.
v 6th Ballymena
The first game saw Muckley take on the hosts. Knocknamuckley started the brighter of the two sides with John Henderson having a chance from a Jonathan Mawhinney pass, and Mawhinney himself going close. Despite dominating the opening exchanges Knocknamuckley found themselves falling behind when the ball was given away in defence, and the Ballymena forward took his chance. Muckley did manage to draw level, through a Mawhinney goal, after he had been set up by a Gregg Harrison pass. Harrison then put his side ahead. After hitting the post, he recollected the ball and finished well. Knocknamuckley thought they had gone further ahead when Henderson beat the keeper on the stroke of half-time but the goal was disallowed as it was judged to have crossed the line after the half time whistle.
Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 1 6th Ballymena
The second half started with Ballymena on top. Seth Mathers needed to make a good stop with his legs to keep his team ahead, but this lead didn't last long when the Ballymena side took their next chance to equalise. Muckley then strived to regain their advantage. Harrison hit the Ballymena post, while Henderson was unable to steer in the rebound. Muckley were then denied when the Ballymena keeper made an unbelievable stop with his leg when it looked certain that Harrison had scored with a powerful shot. Mawhinney also went close and Mathers also needed to make a save at the other end. In a repeat of the first half Henderson again looked to have scored the all important goal at the death as the ball squirmed over the line but was again adjudged to have crossed after the final whistle was blown. This left Knocknamuckley feeling extremely hard done by to only come away with a draw in a game they dominated for the most part.
Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 2 6th Ballymena
v 4th Newtonabbey
Knocknamuckley's second game started straight after the Ballymena match. Muckley hit the ground running when Gregg Harrison scored with a driven shot within seconds of the kick off. John Henderson and Stuart Campbell managed to force saves from the goalkeeper, before Henderson made it 2-0, Hendo managed to finish from a narrow angle,after a Harrison shot.
Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 0 4th Newtonabbey
In the second half the Newtonabbey goalie made a series of saves at the beginning before his forwards missed a sitter after the striker was gifted the ball on the edge of the box. The Knocknamuckley lead was extended after Harrison finished from a clever, quickly taken free kick from Simon Grey. Stephen Russell slotted home the Muckley fourth. Campbell then scored after a Harrison free kick. Soupy also got the next one this time from an excellent Harrison pass. The roles were reversed for the final goal when Gregg finished second time around after a Soupy pass.
Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 7 v 0 4th Newtonabbey
v 3rd Kilkeel
In the final game of the group, thanks to Kilkeel beating Ballymena 6-1, and Ballymena only sneaking past Newtonabbey, Knocknamuckley knew that anything better than a 12 goal defeat would send them through, and a win would see them top the group.
The match was of a very high quality and was very competitive. Knocknamuckley nearly took the lead when a Gregg Harrison shot skimmed the post, before Seth Mathers was called upon to make a good save in the Muckley goal. John Henderson had a chance, but took just a fraction too long over it. Jonny Mawhinney put Knocknamuckley in the lead with a great right foot finish after a good Harrison pass had picked him out on the right hand side.
Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 0 3rd Kilkeel
Kilkeel were pressing after the break and Mathers had to make a save from point blank range to keep his team ahead. “Mothers” then had to make a further two saves in quick succession. Simon Grey then proceeded to go close twice with long range efforts. Seth made another save before Mawhinney added to his goal earlier to give Muckley a two goal cushion. After coming close seconds earlier Jonny finished well from a narrow angle. Kilkeel did pull a goal back, but ran out of time while looking for the equaliser.
Full Time: Knocknamuckley 2 v 1 3rd Kilkeel
This meant that Knocknamuckley and Kilkeel progressed to the second round of the competition, and after two fine 5-a-side performances in two weeks, Knocknamuckley have every chance of coming out of the tougher second stage, as they seem to be able to raise their game against the tougher opposition, and a place in the National Finals in Edinburgh may not be out of the question.
Team- Mathers, Grey, Harrison, Mawhinney, Campbell, Henderson, Russell.
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