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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 64

U-18 v 4th Portadown
(7-a-side, League Stage)
10/10/2006

The U-18 team got their season under way with a match against 4th Portadown. This is now their third season involved in this competition, and hope to improve on last season’s quarter-final place.

The game began at a very fast pace. Muckley were obviously up for it as they played with a great deal of commitment and desire to get forward. Despite Muckley attacking at a livelier pace, the two sides were quite evenly matched without either side carving out any great chances, with Gardiner and Duprey creating a very solid central defensive partnership, snuffing out most of 4th's attacks. Eventually Muckley got their reward for their hard work, when Burnsy made a powerful run down the left and crashed a stinging left foot shot against the goal frame only for it to loop into the air. Andrew “Bun” Irwin continued where he left off last season, getting to the dropping ball before the defence to put Muckley one up before the break.

Half time 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 0 4th Portadown

Despite deserving the half time lead the game could still have gone either way, and Muckley were keen to "up it" and put the game beyond doubt.

Early in the second half they got a slice of luck- Drew took a goal kick, and played it into the opposition box for someone to get their head to. Somehow the ball managed to bounce, and with the aid of a minor deflection found its way onto the net.

The game seemed to slow down a bit after the goal. Although the first goal may be contributed slightly to luck there was nothing lucky about Gardiner’s second. The ball was cleared after a Muckley attack was broken up, and the ball dropped to Gardiner who was standing around the half way line. The ball fell on his right foot and he unleashed a beautifully struck volley, which found its way into the net, inside the keeper’s left hand post.

Despite this being a good win, it was a tighter match than the score suggested. Neither team really managed to open up the opposition’s defence, with few clear cut opportunities, and Seth Mathers was never really troubled. Kris Duprey had an excellent debut, and was very impressive in his desire to get to the ball first. Despite it being evenly contested Muckley were definitely deserving of the win and should look to push on from here.

Full time 1st Knocknamuckley 3 v 0 4th Portadown

Team- Mathers Gardiner, Duprey, Mawhinney, Madine, Burns, A. Irwin, Henderson

Goal- A. Irwin, Gardiner 2