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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 64

U-18 v Annaghmore/Tartarahagn
08/06/2007
(Portadown Battalion Cup, Semi Final)

Knocknamuckley met the combined Annaghmore & Tartarahagn team in the semi-final of the Portadown Battalion Cup. It was their first match since their final victory in the Lurgan BBOB Cup in April, and their first 11-a-side match since their exit in the first round of the Northern Ireland Cup in February.

Muckley suffered an early setback when Annaghmore/Tartarahagn took the lead within the first ten minutes. A ball over the top, set an Annaghmore/Tartarahagn forward away, despite looking to be offside the attacker was given the benefit of the doubt. A bit of sloppy defending allowed the striker to get a shot on goal, and slide the ball past the keeper.

Shortly after the goal Drew Gardiner was lucky to escape without a caution, if not a red card after a wild lunge, in which he failed to take the ball. Knocknamuckley looked dangerous, with Gregg Harrison making a few good runs in behind the fullback. One ball played him into the penalty area, and an appeal was made for a penalty for a tug on the shirt, but was rightly waved away. Colin Irwin also had a half chance after good build up play but just had to stretch a bit to get a shot away.

Muckley managed to get themselves right back into the game halfway through the 40 minute half. Gardiner picked up the ball in midfield and was able to carry the ball past two challenges before slipping it to Harrison. Harrison crossed the ball over for John Henderson, who had his shot blocked. The ball bounced to Colly Irwin who scuffed his attempted volley, when it appeared that the chance had passed the ball squirted to Graham Jardine who hit a powerful shot which flew past the defenders, with the goalkeeper unable to reach it as it hit the roof of the net.

Adam McKeown, who has just returned to the side following illness, was replaced after 25 minutes, as he began to tire after a very useful performance at left back, to be replaced by Matthew Lamont. The sides looked to be heading for half time with one goal each as both sides play seemed to slow. Although Muckley had the better of the play there weren't many more chances to talk about. Just before the half, Annaghmore/Tartarahagn managed to get a crucial goal. A long ball out of defence was misjudged by the Muckley defence and the Annaghmore/Tartarahagn forwards managed to take full advantage, as he rushed onto the ball and fired a low shot to regain the lead at a great time.

Half time 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 2 Annaghmore/Tartarahagn

The second half was a tighter affair with fewer chances for both sides. The Knocknamuckley side was reshuffled at half time and saw Gardiner move back into defence, and Harrison moving into central midfield. This was to counter act the threat of an Annaghmore/Tartarahagn player who had pushed further forward, and Gardiner leadership at the back gave the defence a better shape, and also left a more balanced midfield combination.

Annaghmore/Tartarahagn had an excellent chance to take the game beyond Knocknamuckley when after Seth Mathers had parried a long range effort, the Annaghmore/Tartarahagn forward had followed up well. He gathered the ball and took a quick shot when in one-on-one. However, Mathers had reacted quickly and closed the striker down and dived quickly to make an excellent save to keep Muckley in the game.

Knocknamuckley drew level for the second time in the match just over half way through the half. Gregg Harrison picked up the ball in the Annaghmore/Tartarahagn half, and seeing an opportunity for a shot at goal, picked his spot from around 30 yards out and flighted the ball into the top right hand corner for a dramatic equaliser.

The balance of play seemed to swing in Muckley's favour a they appeared to display greater levels of fitness in these warm conditions.

After a promising Annaghmore/Tartarahagn attack had broken down their side was reduced to 10 men as a player used foul language. This is a straight red card offence and was immediately sent from the pitch, despite protests from his team mates and coach.

In the closing minutes of normal time Knocknamuckley nearly stole the game on two occasions. The first occurred when Jardine again had the ball in the net with a powerful shot, but the whistle had already gone for a shove by Jardine on the defender in the immediate build up to the goal, and was correctly ruled out.

Moments later Knocknamuckley had a strong penalty appeal waved away when a Annaghmore/Tartarahagn defender appeared to block a Muckley shot using his hands, but the referee controversially turned it down, for what would have been a golden opportunity to clinch the game.

Normal time 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 2 Annaghmore/Tartarahagn

After 80 long minutes, in tough physical conditions, the two sides were now forced to play another 20, as the game entered extra time, with the possibility of penalties at the end.

Despite their apparent fatigue at the end of normal time, Annaghmore/Tartarahagn looked like a rejuvenated side, possibly inspired by being reduced to 10 men, as often seems to occur. This coupled with the fact that Muckley seemed to have lost a bit of focus, led to some poor defending on Knocknamuckley's part. These mistakes were pounced upon by the Annaghmore/Tartarahagn side who grabbed two crucial goals.

After the second goal, the game looked as good as over. Knocknamuckley's problems were made worse when Andrew Calvert, who had another great game in defence, had to come off, after he suffered from cramp. Despite attempting to play on, he was unable to and had to be replaced by Stephen Bell. “Dinger” made an immediate impact when he had the best effort on goal for Knocknamuckley in the first period of extra time, with a left footed volley which just cleared the bar.

Extra time half time 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 4 Annaghmore/Tartarahagn

With only 10 minutes to go and two goals the difference it appeared as if Annaghmore/Tartarahagn were only 10 more minutes away from the final, and looked to make sure of this by setting their stall out and defending solidly. However, Muckley had refused to give up and went for it from the off.

The early pressure was from Knocknamuckley, as could be expected, but after just one and a half minutes of the restart Harrison picked up the ball in a similar position to his first goal. This time he beat his man and was able to fire a shot at the goal from around 25 yards. Despite the shot being close to the keeper, the power and swerve on the ball beat the goalie and reduced the deficit to just the one goal.

This perked Knocknamuckley up further, and as Annaghmore/Tartarahagn tried to again steady themselves, Knocknamuckley had amazingly drawn level within another two minutes. Gardiner picked up the ball, took it past one midfielder and then another. He carried the ball into the space which had now opened up in front of him and struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box which levelled the scores at 4-4.

Muckley were now in the position of still trying to win the game, but, conscious of the fact that they now had something to lose. Annaghmore/Tartarahagn were shocked and had to try and change their game plan and push forward more. Muckley looked solid at the back, thanks to the organisation of Gardiner and some fine reading of the game from Lamont, added to a determined performance in midfield from Harrison.

With only four minutes left on the clock, Knocknamuckley took advantage of their numerical advantage as well as their better fitness levels to hit Annaghmore/Tartarahagn on the break. Harrison picked up the ball wide right and knocked over a cross to the back post. This cross was met by Bell who cushioned down the ball using his chest into the path of John Henderson. Hendo, who had taken cramp in bot his calves at half time and only stayed on because both substitutions had already been made met the ball and poked it past the keeper to give Knocknamuckley the lead for the first time in the match.

With 6 minutes left Annaghmore/Tartarahagn still had a chance to take the game to penalties. However, Muckley were able to soak up anything that Annaghmore/Tartarahagn had to throw at them, and defended comfortably, running the clock down well with some clever possession football, to see out a determined victory in a remarkable match littered with goals and talking points.

After a very long, well contested game it was Knocknamuckley who progressed, to the final. This will be their second final of the season, where they will again meet 7th Portadown, for the third time this season and it will be the second time that the two sides have contested a cup final.

Full Time 1st Knocknamuckley 5 v 4 Annaghmore/Tartarahagn

Team: Mathers, A.Irwin, McKeown, A.Calvert, Duprey, Jardine, Harrison, Gardiner, C.Irwin, Henderson, Grey. Substitutes: Bell (for Calvert 8 Cool

, Lamont (for McKeown 25)

Goals: Jardine, Harrison 2, Gardiner, Henderson.

gregg · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 14

Penalty decision rightly turned down??? It was a blatant foul in the box

Also, how was mt second goal close to the keeper?? It was crossbar & in, top corner Twisted Evil

Apart from that & the made up assist & goal attempt from Dinger, good effort

Parks · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 14

It was bout 2 feet from the keeper. Now, now Gregg both those things did occur....I know this might be tough but things that don't directly involve you DO happen!! Tough ta grasp I know, but its true!!

gregg · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 14

lol

It was right in the top corner Lovin the comments about the referee, U!!! Ask hendo if either happened....lol