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Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

U-18 v 1st Ardstraw
28/04/2009
(Northern Ireland Cup, Semi Final)

Knocknamuckley, who had failed to win a game since 2005 in the Northern Ireland Cup before their demolition of Garvagh in the Quarter Final, played in the Semi Final, hoping to reach the final of this prestigious competition for the first time since 1999. They came up against 1st Ardstraw, who were sure to provide a tough test, having beaten Muckley in the final of the national 5-a-side, and having also beaten Knocknamuckley’s B side earlier in the year. Knocknamuckley had warmed up with a friendly against Glenavon the previous week with an encouraging win. Knocknamuckley were drawn at home, and entertained their opponents at Havelock Park in Banbridge.

Knocknamuckley got off to a great start when they took the lead, after Ardstraw had controlled most of the possession in the opening couple of minutes. Gregg Harrison played a ball into the box, which was headed across goal by Adam McKeown. Stephen Russell met the ball at the back post, after coming in off the right wing and negotiated the tricky bounce to knock the ball into the goal and give Muckley a precious early lead.

Ardstraw nearly hit back immediately after, when a simple through ball played in a midfielder who had made a burst forward. Seth Mathers advanced from his line, and took the sting off the shot, which squirmed between his legs, but the Muckley keeper reacted first to re-gather the ball before anyone could follow in.

Knocknamuckley then began to control the game, as Ardstraw were unable to find a way through on goal, thanks to a well organised Muckley side, and largely thanks to an inspired Andy Calvert, who was continually denying the Ardstraw attack, with powerful challenges, and timely interceptions.

Knocknamuckley increased their advantage mid-way through the half. McKeown was again involved, when he towered above the Ardstraw defence to win a flick-on, which John Henderson got on the end off to finish for a two goal cushion.

Henderson nearly doubled his tally moments later. Harrison picked out the central midfielder with a deep cross from the right hand side. Henderson met the ball on the half volley, and his effort rebounded wide off the near post.

Simon Grey was allowed to advance out of defence with the ball, attacking the space which opened up in front of him, he took the opportunity to shoot, but his powerful shot was to no avail.

McKeown created a chance with a delicate flick which opened up the Ardstraw defence and played Harrison in on goal. Harrison was only able to flick the ball in the hope of wrong footing the keeper, but the Ardstraw shot stopper was equal to the effort.

Calvert was lucky to stay out of the referee’s notebook, after committing his second foul of the game. An Ardstraw player got the ball in space in front of the Muckley defence. Calvert reacted quickly to the danger, but over committed as he charged out of defence, lost his footing and took the man, knocking the player a couple of feet off the ground. As the foul was unintentional, the referee gave the defender the benefit of the doubt.

Calvert then started an attack from deep, after another great piece of defending. Sir Calvert passed the ball up field to McKeown, who played the ball out wide to Russell. Russell carried the ball forward, beating two men with great control, tricking his way into the box, before trying an audacious curling shot with the outside of his boot, which just drifted wide.

Unfortunately Russell’s next involvement in the game wasn’t as impressive. Receiving the ball under pressure the midfielder tried a lobbed pass back to Calvert, misjudging it and playing the ball over his head, to allow the Ardstraw attack a clean run through on goal, to pull a goal back with just over 5 minutes left to half time.

Russell was then involved again at the other end of the pitch, latching on to a great crossfield pass from Harrison, Russell sent a first time, side-footed volley wide of the post, when he appeared to be caught in two minds.

With minutes left to half time Knocknamuckley regained their two goal advantage, and with it a psychological blow to Ardstraw. Henderson again got on the end of a McKeown flick on, and sent his volley just inside the left hand post.

With virtually the last play of the half, Ardstraw had one more chance, when a long throw in was flicked on by an Ardstraw head, narrowly missing the goal.

Half time 1st Knocknamuckley 3 v 1 1st Ardstraw

Ardstraw started the second half brightly as they looked to get back into the game, although it was Muckley who fashioned the first chance of the half. Simon Grey won a defensive header, which was flicked on by Gregg Harrison on halfway. Harrison turned and collected his own flick, before lobbing the ball over the next defender as he advanced into the box, but dragged his shot wide under pressure from the covering defender.

Ardstraw did manage to fashion a great chance, which their effort at the beginning of the second half had deserved, but after managing to create the opportunity, somehow managed to miss the target, letting Muckley off the hook. Soon after Seth Mathers needed to pull off a good save to a low, long range shot. After Ardstraw had played with so much energy to try and get back into the game, it began to feel like time was beginning to run out for them, despite there still being half of the second half left to play.

Stuart Campbell, who had replaced Adam McKeown upfront, was fouled on the edge of the area, after doing well to trouble the Ardstraw defence after a good run. Harrison took the free kick, which was saved by the goalkeeper. Harrison also had a long range shot, but was just unable to hit the target.

Ardstraw had a short period of pressure, from which they managed to force a corner, but this which was well blocked by Harrison. Another corner followed shortly after which was cleverly played to the edge of the box, but Harrison reacted quickly to put pressure on the ball and block the shot. Ardstraw then forced yet another corner, but as the ball was curled in Harrison again won the ball, this time with a powerful header. The clearance was picked up by Campbell who fed the ball out left to Harrison who was breaking forward. Harrison then picked out a cross field pass to John Henderson, but he saw his shot saved.

As the game entered its final minutes, Harrison had a shot held by the goalkeeper, and Campbell was denied in a one on one situation, following a Simon Grey shot. Ardstraw had one last chance from the left hand side of the box, but their shot flashed just wide of the far post.

So the game finished at 3-1 to Knocknamuckley following a scoreless second half, and Muckley progressed to their first NI Cup final for 10 years, with a terrific performance. They were clinical in front of goal, and solid in defence, right from the striker, through to a well organised midfield and defence. Each and every player deserved individual praise, but most importantly, the team performed well as a unit and will provide a very stern test for 3rd Kilkeel in the final, which will be played at the same venue in the near future.

Full Time 1st Knocknamuckley 3 v 1 1st Ardstraw

Team: Mathers; Grey, Calvert; Russell, Henderson, Harrison; McKeown: Campbell, Cowan, Mawhinney.

Goals: Russell, Henderson 2.