www.knocknamuckleybb.co.uk

Match Report · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 64

U-18 National 5-a-side
(Irish Final)
14/03/2008

Knocknamuckley made the short journey to Craigavon Leisure Centre for the Irish Final of the National 5-a-side. The Portadown Battalion champions having won through two previous rounds to compete against the best sides that the island has to offer. Despite being hugely impressive in their three competitions to date, this was always going to be a huge task, especially as the side had to do without Simon Grey through suspension, and other players who chose to make themselves unavailable. There were a total of six teams competing to be crowned Irish Champions and have the honour of representing Ireland in the UK Finals in Edinburgh.

1st Ballyclare 1 v 1 1st Pettigo

v 1st Ardstraw

The first match for Knocknamuckley pitted them against Ardstraw. The first half was a tight affair as Knocknamuckley defended brilliantly soaking up any pressure and preventing Ardstraw from any notable chances. They did manage to create one chance of their own when John Henderson latched onto a ball through the middle, and carried it between two defenders before striking a perfect shot, with his right foot, into the top right hand corner to give Muckley the lead. Knocknamuckley nearly doubled the lead when Gregg Harrison played a ball from left to right which opened up the Ardstraw defence, and Henderson was unlucky not to grab his second of the game with a good strike.

Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 0 1st Ardstraw

The second half saw Ardstraw manage to open up the Muckley defence a bit more, and Seth Mathers did well to keep out a near post shot with a one-handed block. Mathers was called on again to make a point blank save as Ardstraw worked a chance right on the edge of the goalkeeper's area. The Muckley defence managed to cut out any further threat from Ardstraw with some whole-hearted defending, especially from Harrison, and Andrew Poole, who used his fresh legs to great effect. Harrison nearly wrapped up the game when a good strike just went past the upright. The game eventually ended 1-0 to Knocknamuckley after a great defensive display from the whole team, with only Henderson's goal separating the sides.

Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 0 1st Ardstraw

7th Portadown 3 v 2 2nd Castlederg

v 1st Ballyclare

Knocknamuckley took on Ballyclare, who they had met in the previous round of the tournament, in the second game. Again, this was a very tight game of football, with Knocknamuckley limiting their opposition to very few chances, despite them having the balance of the play. It was in fact Knocknamuckley who came closest to opening the scoring as the Ballyclare goalkeeper made a wonderful save with his foot when a great Gregg Harrison shot looked destined for the net. Ballyclare then had a great passage of play when they first forced Mathers into a save, and later hit the bar with a scorching shot, but were unable to take the lead.

Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 0 1st Ballyclare

The second half got off to a great start for Knocknamuckley. A reverse pass from Harrison played in Stephen Russell, who did brilliantly to poke the ball home, before it entered the goalkeeper's circle, to give Muckley a precious lead.

Ballyclare nearly drew level but the ball rebounded back off the post. It was then Muckley's turn to hit the woodwork, Harrison shooting from halfway, only to see his powerful strike hit the post.

With the game nearing a finish Ballyclare wasted a glorious chance to draw level as they blazed over with the striker having loads of time, and only the keeper to beat. Knocknamuckley soon wrapped the game up, and avoided any more frights, when Russell, who had a brilliant game, passed right for Harrison to finish with a crisp shot.

Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 2 v 0 1st Ballyclare

1st Pettigo 0 v 0 1st Ardstraw

v 2nd Castlederg

Knocknamuckley played their third game in six, but began much more brightly, and would have taken an early lead but for a phenomenal stop by the keeper, as his foot shot out to deny Gregg Harrison what looked like a goal from the minute it left his foot. However, Muckley did manage to take the lead when Stuart Campbell beat the keeper with a good finish, an important goal by the Muckley striker. Unfortunately, Muckley then left themselves short at the back, Castlederg, who had options, played the ball down the right, and finished, to equalise before half-time, the first time that Muckley had conceded in this tournament.

Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 1 2nd Castlederg

The second half got off to the worst possible start for Knocknamuckley, as Castlederg took the lead. Andrew Poole then tested the goalkeeper, as Muckley went in search of an equaliser, and Harrison, again, forced the keeper into an amazing save, as the goalie continued to frustrate Muckley, and keep his team in the driving seat.

As Muckley pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and as tired legs set in, space began to open up for Castlederg to exploit, and they did. First with a goal from down the left hand side, and then from one from down the right, to confirm Knocknamuckley's first defeat of the final.

Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 4 2nd Castlederg

7th Portadown 1 v 0 1st Ardstraw
2nd Castlederg 3 v 0 1st Ballyclare

v 7th Portadown

Knocknamuckley took on the hosts and fellow contenders in a local derby. The first half characterised Muckley's play so far, with great defensive work, and limiting Portadown's chances to few and far between, but were beginning to look more dangerous going forward; although Portadown were also working hard in defence, making it difficult for Muckley. The half followed this pattern throughout, with Muckley having marginally the better of the play.

Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 0 7th Portadown

The second half saw Muckley work the first chance, as a Stephen Russell shot was turned away.It was 7th Portadown who opened the scoring, after they worked a shooting opportunity down the right, and finished to give them the lead. Knocknamuckley then went in search of the equaliser, with Andrew Poole forcing a save from the goalkeeper.

As the game entered the final minute Gregg Harrison grabbed an equaliser with a low drive. In the final minute, with the win important for both Knocknamuckley, and the Methodist, it was Muckley who had the better of the play, with some lovely passing moves, but were just unable to grab the elusive winner.

Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 1 7th Portadown

1st Pettigo 0 v 2 2nd Castlederg
1st Ardstraw 0 v 1 1st Ballyclare

v 1st Pettigo

Going into the match against Pettigo, Knocknamuckley needed a win, and then to wait on other results to see if they had managed to win the Irish Championship.

Knocknamuckley started brightly, as a through ball saw John Henderson through, as the keeper dived Hendo managed to stretch and play a delicate flick over the keeper which went just wide. Moments later, Henderson had to be substituted as he went fully committed into a challenge, and was fouled, before rolling into the side wall. The closest either side came to getting on the scoresheet came when Pettigo hit the bar.

Half Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 0 v 0 Pettigo

Pettigo nearly took the most fortunate of leads when a shot went wide, but came back and hit off goalkeeper, Seth Mathers, only to run onto the post. After this it was Muckley who were applying all the pressure. A Gregg Harrison shot, from down the right hand side, forced a good save from the Pettigo keeper, and soon after Harrison again forced the goalie into a good save, from a similar position, after an excellent Stuart Campbell pass. It was Pettigo though who grabbed the first goal, against the run of play, and left Knocknamuckley with an uphill task to leave themselves with a chance of being crowned champions. However, credit to the Muckley team, as they kept going and forced the equaliser through Henderson. Knocknamuckley, knowing that they needed a win, had no option but to push forward in the remaining minutes in search of the goal. Unfortunately, this left them very exposed at the back, which allowed Pettigo in, to score a very simple goal from close range, and condemned Muckley to a defeat which otherwise wouldn't have occurred.

Full Time: 1st Knocknamuckley 1 v 2 1st Pettigo

1st Ballyclare 0 v 1 7th Portadown
1st Ardstraw 1 v 2 2nd Castlederg
1st Pettigo 2 v 0 7th Portadown

7th Portadown went into their final match knowing that a win would secure them the Irish title. However, the Portadown side looked nervous, and Pettigo played very well, winning the game 2-0, an agonising defeat for Portadown, which gave the title to Castlederg, and meant that Knocknamuckley slipped from third to fourth place, on goal difference.

Despite Knocknamuckley ultimately failing to win the Irish competition, this was a fantastic performance from the side. To reach this stage of the competition is already an achievement, and in the final itself, every member of the squad gave everything that they had, keeping themselves in contention right until their last game, and a little more luck could have seen them top the group, but to finish joint third out of the 27 companies who entered the competition is still very impressive. The performance on the night, of each player, did not only themselves and their coach, but their company proud. Well done.

Team- Mathers, Russell, Harrison, Poole, Campbell, Henderson. Unused: Grey.

gregg · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 14

6-3?? Where did u get that one from Parker??? lol Laughing

Nice report, apart from 1 thing ''Knocknamuckley soon wrapped the game up, and avoided any more frights, when Russell, who had a brilliant game, passed right for Harrison to finish with a crisp shot. '' I tackled their player & dribbled from my own half & rifled in from halfway & get no credit, there was no pass lol Razz

Parks · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 14

6-3 was from the last tournament!! Edited Wink

U must b thinking of a different game, I remember that game clear as day, cause Russell had his best match ever for Muckley, and that reverse pass to you capped it off!

And you are right...that has ta be one of my best efforts!