A fast start from Carryduff which saw us create some early chances, the best of them falling for Declan Magee after some neat link up play with Rory Timoney who put Declan through, but a combination of goal keeper and defender got the block in to smother the ball. The second chance again fell to Declan who was having a big impact on the game with Harry Graham chipping the ball over the top and Declan bearing down on the keeper but the ball wouldn’t come down for Declan to finish.
The front three of Matthew Winchester, Declan and Rory were causing St.Patricks a lot of problems. Matthew Winchester down the right put a couple of great deliveries across the front of goal but we couldn’t get the final touch.
The first goal came from a corner Eamon Swail and Matthew playing a short one when the shot went in Declan got a flicked header to divert the ball away from their keeper for a deserved 1-0.
The second goal was deserved for the performance from the team but also as an individual for anyone at the game today what Joseph Tunney had to endure has no place in under 14 football but full credit to Joseph who showed great leadership and responsibility,
when after winning the tackle on the edge of the box the ball broke, he side stepped his man and curled the ball into the top corner for 2-0.
After half time St.Patricks came flying out and pulled a goal back after good play down the right was finished at the back post 2-1.
St.Patricks had their tails up and looked to go for the equaliser so we made some changes Niall Tunney for the injured Eamon Swail, Joseph Tolan for Matthew Winchester, Ryan Miskelly for Rory Timoney and Rory Gorman for Declan Magee and played on the counter attack for the last 20 minutes.
St.Patricks had a great chance to equalise only for Jude Lynam to pull off a super save and keep us in front. Our defence were being put under pressure but Matthew O’Rourke and Aidan Martin at centre back were strong and commanding, Matthew making a great sliding tackle to deny the forward.
Odhran Sherry at right back was as always a big threat going forward and combative in defence, he should have had a penalty when he was brought down inside the box only for the referee to give it outside.
Carryduff were continuing to create chances on the counter attack with great opportunities falling for Niall Tunney, after great play down the left he passed to Ryan who played him in, but the ball got stuck under his feet. Niall then returned the favour for Ryan who broke free but the keeper came out and made a fine save.
The game was becoming very open and also very physical, Joseph Tolan who had made a big impact on the game was very lucky to escape serious injury after a horrendous tackle, however Joseph got up and continued to be brave and drive at the defence down their right. St.Patricks had a man sent off after good play from Joseph and Odhran, which left Odhran on the ground with stud marks on his calf.
When the third goal finally came it was a great finish from Ryan Miskelly, after strong defending from Rory Gorman he advanced forward and fed Harry Graham who after a good run forced a corner, when the corner came in Ryan took a touch and slammed the ball into the net with a super finish for 3-1.
A real team performance today Joseph Tunney, Harry Graham and Jamie Wilkinson in midfield were excellent but man of the match Matthew O’Rourke at centre half is developing a good partnership with Aidan Martin well done lads, good all round performance.
Squad
Jude Lynam, Eamon Swail, Aidan Martin, Matthew O’Rourke, Odhran Sherry, Harry Graham, Jamie Wilkinson, Declan Magee, Joseph Tunney, Matthew Winchester, Rory Timoney, Niall Tunney, Ryan Miskelly, Rory Gorman, Joseph Tolan,Gary Topping.
Goal scorers
Declan Magee
Joseph Tunney
Ryan Miskelly
Man of match
Matthew O’Rourke – solid and commanding.