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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 64

U-14 v Ahorey
(11-a-side, Friendly)
03/03/2007

This 11-a-side friendly was arranged after Ahorey had beat Knocknamuckley during the week in the 7-a-side competition at U-14 level. Unfortunately due to a lack of U-14’s at BB on Friday night and a lack of availability for the Saturday afternoon match Muckley were forced to field a couple of older players.

Muckley were playing the first half playing down the slope in the first half. This seemed to be to Knocknamuckley’s advantage had they had the better of the opening exchanges. The deadlock was finally broken when Thomas Adamson drifted in from his position on the right wing and carried the ball before sliding a ball through, when nothing seemed on, to split the defence and pick out Jon Henderson perfectly. Hendo completed a great move when he hit a delightful lob over the goalkeeper with his left foot.

Ahorey lifted their game in search of a reply, and looked likely to get the equaliser when they found themselves in behind the Muckley defence running towards the box. Josh Black covered across from right back and made an excellent goal saving tackle, only for the ball to land at another attackers feet. Black picked himself up and managed to make his second last ditch tackle, and the danger was cleared.

Ahorey were beginning to pile on the pressure. Unfortunately for them, as another attack broke down Muckley were able to hit them on a break. A long clearance from Matthew Lamont allowed Henderson to run onto the ball over the top and carry into the box were he scored to put his side two goals up.

Ahorey were on the ropes for a while as Gregg Harrison played a few balls over the top for Henderson which was unlucky not to result in goals.

The home side did manage to hit back and hit their first goal against the run of play, to narrow the gap.

Knocknamuckley were unlucky not to increase their lead moments later when the ball was played into the box, and dropped on the edge of the six yard box. Centre-forward Peter Stewart did well to swizzle and get a quick shot away only for the Ahorey keeper to make a good save.

This time it was the woodwork that prevented a third Muckley goal as Black looked up and picked out Harrison with a clearance, and Harrison’s shot rebounded of the post.

Ahorey were playing with renewed confidence since their goal and were beginning to get back into the game bit by bit. This was rewarded when an Ahorey forward found himself through on goal. His attempt was saved by Chris Falloon who had advanced out of his goal well to put pressure on the striker. The ball rebounded to a forward who slid the ball towards the open goal, however, Josh Black’s positional play was excellent as he rushed back to cover behind his goalkeeper, and managed to block the ball on the line. Again an Ahorey forward was first to react and this time hammered it into the goal. This left the score 2-2, a scoreline which Knocknamuckley weren’t happy with given that they had controlled most of the play and had players capable of winning the match.

The visitors responded well and in a good move down the left, Brooke Love was able to pick out a good ball between the defenders which allowed Harrison a clean run in towards the goal. Harrison then coolly slotted the ball past the goalie to regain the lead.

Half time Ahorey 2 v 3 1st Knocknamuckley

In the second half Ahorey started the better of the two sides, and forced a corner early on. The corner was played deep and picked out an Ahorey player at the back post. His header was unlucky to rebound off the post and get cleared to safety.

At this point the skies opened, and the torrential rain may have affected the standard of play, as neither team created many clear cut chances. Knocknamuckley had lost their dominance, but Ahorey were unable to take advantage.

A drab second half looked to be drifting towards a close, with Muckley 3-2 up when Ahorey grabbed a late equaliser. This woke Muckley up, but in an unlikely finish Ahorey hit them on the break and a speculative lob from the right wing sailed over the Muckley keeper and just inside the post for a screamer, and what proved to be the winner.

Knocknamuckley did have 3 or 4 minutes left to try and get a result from the game, but were limited to a couple of long range efforts. The best chance fell to Gregg Harrison who narrowly missed the roof of the net with a shot on the rise from just over 12 yards out.

Full time Ahorey 4 v 3 1st Knocknamuckley

Team- Falloon, Black, N.Adamson, A.Calvert, Lamont, Mathers, Harrison, T.Adamson, Stewart, Henderson, Love

Goals- Henderson 2, Harrison