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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 64

U-18 Battalion 5-a-side Tournament
11/11/2006

The Battalion 5-a-side competition took place in Dungannon. The hall used at Dungannon Youth FC had a good sized hall with an excellent artificial grass surface.

Due to a number of players being unavailable, Knocknamuckley were only able to bring a squad of five, all of whom would have been able to participate in an U-16 5-a-side tournament.

The tournament was organised into two groups of five teams, with the top two in each progressing to the semi-finals.

v 5th Portadown

Knocknamuckley began with a tough game against 5th Portadown. It was a very even contest, in which Muckley were trailing by one goal. A penalty was awarded to the young Muckley side late on, when a Portadown player strayed into the box, which Gareth Burns confidently put away to earn a 1-1 draw; a fair result for both sides.

Full Time: Knocknamuckley 1 v 1 5th Portadown

v Mullabrack

This was a game which Muckley knew was a must win. Despite having a few chances things were not going to plan, when Mullabrack were awarded a penalty when Colin Irwin placed a foot inside the box. Fortunately, Seth Mathers was able to make a great one handed save low in the corner, to keep his team in with a chance. This chance was taken, when after a good through ball from Burns, Colly Irwin was able to pick out Jon Henderson, who had done well to find space on the edge of the box with a good run. Hendo duly scored with a crisp finish to win the game.

Full Time: Knocknamuckley 1 v 0 Mullabrack

v Ahorey

Having put ourselves in a good position after two games Muckley needed to keep the momentum going. Rather disappointingly the team conceded quite a sloppy, early goal. Another excellent save from Seth when the ball was well struck along the surface kept Muckley in the game. We did create one half chance to equalise but an extra touch in front of goal let it slip.

This loss left the team relying on other results to go their way.

Full Time: Knocknamuckley 0 v 1 Ahorey

v Tandragee

Going into the last match it looked as if a win would see Muckley qualify for the semi-finals. The boys were aware of this and played some very positive football in the first few minutes without managing to get a goal. The goal came however, when Hendo fired in from a narrow angle. Muckley managed to resist the temptation to just sit back and defend the lead and were rewarded with two further goal, both well struck efforts from Burnsy and Colly Irwin.

Full Time: Knocknamuckley 3 v 0 Tandragee

The last match of the group stage was between 5th Portadown and Mullabrack. The only result that would send Muckley out was a Mullabrack win. Despite Mullabrack having sneaked a win against Ahorey, to keep us in with a chance, 5th Portadown were still favourites. Mullabrack played some better football having gained some confidence from the win and although they weren’t dominating they managed to score a late goal, and progress at Muckley's expense.

This was a disappointment, as had the game remained scoreless Muckley would have gained a spot in the semis, but were instead eliminated on goal difference.

All in all, this was a good tournament for the U-18s. Despite only having five players available, all of whom were young for such a tournament. All five boys played well with great commitment and took everything on board. In the end they were unlucky not to make the final four.

Team- Mathers, Duprey, Burns, C. Irwin, Henderson.