Match Report Saturday 29th September 2007
Under 17's v Shorts at Henry Jones Playing Fields
Result: St Mary's FC 4 Shorts 0
After the disappointment of last week's defeat to Aquinas the St Mary's Under 17's were determined to return to winning ways against Shorts.
Again the team were without either of the two recognised goalkeepers in the squad but it was decided that John Meighan would stand-in allowing Declan Hackett to return to his preferred centre half position. This proved a great decision with Declan having an outstanding game ably assisted by Conor Saunders, Daniel Lunney and Michael Fearon. The back four ensured no close range efforts were allowed to Shorts and anything that rarely got through was dealt with efficiently by John in goal.
With a sound platform at the back the team took control of the match and it was no surprise after 5 minutes when Kevin Meighan cleverly set up Ryan McAuley to strike a thunderbolt into the top right hand corner of the net. Despite several other chances and a disallowed effort by Antoin Rooney the score remained 1 - 0 at half time.
Second half continued with St Mary's in complete control and it was no surprise when the second goal came on 50 minutes. Daniel McCreesh caused the Shorts defence more problems on the right and fired in a low cross which an unfortunate defender could only deflect into his own goal as Kevin Meighan bore down on him.
Chris Boy and Hugh Campbell had by now a stranglehold on midfield and were releasing Ryan McAuley and Antoin Rooney to create more chances for the forwards. However, the next goal came right from the back as Declan Hackett once more broke up a Shorts attack and pushed the ball forward to Daniel McCreesh. Daniel held off the defender and played a great ball out to Jim Boyle who took off down the right wing. Jim left defenders for dead and then crossed a pinpoint ball into the path of the onrushing Declan Hackett who had continued his run to smash past the exposed Shorts goalkeeper.
By this stage all substitutes had been introduced and next goal came from one of those. After chasing a long ball alongside Ryan McAuley into the Shorts penalty area Chris Walsh waited for the break to slot the fourth goal of the day across the Shorts keeper.
At the very end Shorts made a final effort to gain a consolation goal but the St Mary's team were committed to a clean sheet and defended tremendously to ensure the game finished 4 - 0.
So back to winning ways and the squad now looks forward with confidence to taking on Carrick Rangers next week.
Team: John Meighan, Michael Fearon ( sub Michael Kane ), Daniel Lunney, Conor Saunders, Declan Hackett, Chris Boy ( Captain ), Antoin Rooney ( sub Jim Boyle ), Hugh Campbell, ( sub Michael Donaghy), Ryan McAuley, Daniel McCreesh ( sub James Cachart ), Kevin Meighan ( sub Chris Walsh ).