Under 17’s Match Report Saturday 6th October 2007
Under 17's v Carrick Rangers at Beltoy Road Playing Fields, Carrickfergus
Result: St Mary's FC 3 Carrick Rangers 1
The U17 squad travelled to Carrickfergus anticipating a difficult game and this was certainly the case with Carrick Rangers taking the early lead after 15 minutes from a corner kick. However, St Mary's dug in and worked hard with Kevin Meighan and Daniel McCreesh causing the Carrick defence problems and Daniel Lunney plus Michael Fearon constantly overlapping to support the attack. Hugh Campbell and Chris Boy fought hard in central midfield to keep the supply to the forwards and after 30 minutes the battling qualities were rewarded with a corner kick when Conor Saunders rose highest in the 30th minute to head back across goal and claim the equaliser.
The first half remained a tight affair and ended unfortunately with Antoin Rooney being injured just before the break by a late tackle which left him unable to continue. As a result Michael O'Reilly came on for the 2nd half and immediately started to work well with Daniel McCreesh, Kevin Meighan and Ryan McAuley to create a number of chances. However, these chances were not capitalised on and Carrick remained a threat on the breakaway. The back four had to remain vigilant with Declan Hackett and Conor Saunders needing to be very strong in the air.
Finally though in the 55th minute some of the pressure eased when good work by Kevin Meighan allowed Ryan McAuley space in the penalty area to force the ball home and give St Mary's a deserved lead.
Manager Dessie Donnelly then decided on introducing fresh legs and those substitutes proved this squad does indeed have strength in depth with the control of the game not letting up. Conor Devlin launched a long ball at the Carrick defence and Chris Walsh showed excellent composure to take the ball off the toes of his opponent whom he then calmly rounded and smashed a shot high into the net past the out rushing goalkeeper to kill the game off 3 - 1.
A great result that leaves St Mary's hot on the heels of SOPYC who coincidentally they now meet next week in an early season top of the table clash.
Team: Conor Devlin, Michael Fearon ( sub Michael Kane ), Daniel Lunney ( sub Michael Donaghy ), Conor Saunders, Declan Hackett, Chris Boy ( Captain ), Antoin Rooney ( sub Michael O'Reilly ), Hugh Campbell, Ryan McAuley, Daniel McCreesh ( sub John Meighan ), Kevin Meighan ( sub Chris Walsh ).