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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 64

U-18 v Drumcree/Milltown
(7-a-side, League Stage)
05/02/2008

Knocknamuckley had their first game in the Lurgan BBOB 7-a-side since the beginning of the new year. Having lost their previous game, and after only picking up six points from a possible twelve, it was important that they put in a good performance against the combined side of Drumcree and Milltown, and got into the habit of winning matches as the knock-out stage of the competition approaches.

Knocknamuckley got off to a good start when Andrew Poole hit a spectacular volley within the first minute, after the ball had dropped to him following a long throw-in.

After this early chance though, it was Drumcree/Milltown who were exerting the early pressure. Following a long goal kick, the ball was allowed to bounce in the Muckley box, and the big Drumcree/Milltown striker managed to turn his defender and was unlucky to see his effort go over the bar.

Seth Mathers was then forced to save the ball from a long range shot, before Drumcree/Milltown took the lead, following another long goal kick. The long ball was well judged into the Knocknamuckley penalty area, and the striker rose well to get a deft header to put his side ahead.

The goal seemed to force Knocknamuckley into action, and they soon managed to draw level. Jonny Mawhinney ran onto the a pass upfield, cutting across his marker, who fouled him on the right hand edge of the box. The free kick was taken by Gregg Harrison, who managed to poke it around the one man wall and in off the far post.

However, shortly after this equaliser, some sloppy play from Knocknamuckley allowed Drumcree/Milltown a gift, to regain their advantage. The ball was given away in defence by Simon Grey. The ball was then swept across the box, Mathers made a last ditch block as the striker shot at goal, but could do nothing about it when the rebound dropped at the back post to be bundled home.

Again, Knocknamuckley managed to hit back quickly. Harrison gathered the ball on the right of midfield, and ran in from the wing with the ball, Drumcree/Milltown appeared to be happy to let him run across as nothing was on, only for Harrison to unleash a left foot shot which found the back of the net.

The remainder of the half saw Drumcree/Milltown pushing for another goal to see them infront at the half time break. Mathers was at full stretch to turn a long range shot around his right hand post as the ball looked destined for the bottom corner.

Drumcree/Milltown again judged a goal kick beautifully, the flick on leaving a great chance on goal, only for Grey to make an excellent block to deny them.

The last play off the half gave Drumcree/Milltown a corner. This was played deep past the backpost, and headed back across goal, leaving Mathers to pull off a block and grab the ball in a goal line scramble.

Despite this late pressure, Drumcree/Milltown were unable to find their third goal and the two sides were even after a mixed first half for both sides.

Half time 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 2 Drumcree/Milltown

Again the half started brightly for Muckley, as Harrison intercepted a stray Drumcree/Milltown pass, played in their defence, but saw his shot saved, which was followed by a great John Henderson volley, which dipped just over the crossbar.

Henderson again went close, after Harrison had headed a goal-kick into the box from wide on the right. Henderson met the ball with his head, but again saw his shot go over.

Knocknamuckley did manage to take the lead for the first time in the match. Simon Grey picked up possession in defence and carried the ball out. He played a clever one-two with Harrison, passing before quickly moving into space, and dispatching a cool finish once he received the ball back, for an excellent goal from the defender.

The Knocknamuckley lead was then extended, as they began to dominate the second half, when Mawhinney hit a low shot inside the left hand post.

The goal of the game was soon to follow, as Stephen Russell beat his man with a neat bit of skill, he was able to play a perfect cross from wide on the left to Harrison who had made a good run to the back post. The cross picked Harrison out who let the ball move across him and hit a sweetly struck volley, giving the Drumcree/Milltown keeper no chance, for a beautiful goal, and his third of the game.

Drumcree/Milltown began to look demoralised, as Harrison added to his hat-trick with a lob played over the keeper, which he seemed very slow to deal with as it dropped under the crossbar. Mawhinney had a shot similar to his earlier effort, this one just passing the left hand post.

A bad night for the Drumcree/Milltown goalkeeper was rounded off when a long range effort from Harrison went through his legs.

The game was nearly rounded off perfectly when Matthew Wright, who was making his debut for the U-18’s, timed his run to meet a corner in from the left, but was just unable to guide his header into the net.
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Full time 1st Knocknamuckley 7 v 2 Drumcree/Milltown

Team- Mathers; Calvert, Grey; Harrison, Henderson, Poole; Mawhinney: Wright, Duprey, Russell.

Goals- Harrison 5, Grey, Mawhinney.