Under 17\'s Get Off to a Flyer!!! St Marys 6 Belvoir 2
The clubs Under 17 team made their way to Blanch flower on Wednesday 10th September for their first game of the season against Belvoir, having been denied kick off on Saturday 6th 2008 by the glorious rainfall experienced by all! Weather-wise Wednesday was no better, if not worse! Torrential rain made playing football almost seem impossible but the 15-man squad battled through the elements with hunger that was first thought was lacking last season!
St Mary's started strongly, getting the ball over the top, taking advantage of the wind and the pace of Rory Walsh and Stephen Crossey (Beefo) down the left. The first goal fell to the opponents. the conditions played a part as the ball slid through to their striker who knocked it past an oncoming Michael Fearon. Their lead did not last long. Under the guidance of their captain, Stephen Brennan, the lads regained their composure through a corner kick. a training ground exercise lead to our equaliser. a short corner from the captain was knocked back out by Beefo for Brennan to swing in. The cross come shot somehow found the net.
From there it just became more comfortable. the lads found their shape and moved forward with confidence. the combinations of Blue Hunter and Beefo on the right and Michael Donaldson and Stephen McGoran tortured the Belvoir Lads.
Second goal somewhat Beckham-like. A free kick was awarded by the very impressive and fair referee, Mr John Bannon, and Beefo stepped up! Having only joined the club the management of Jim and Barry did not no what to expect but were confident of the lads ability. Up and over the wall and down, was the route the ball took, to finish in the back of the net! 2-1 and cruising!
Enter Rory Walsh - the most improved centre forward! The Belvoir defence failed to clear on a number of occasions, to which our very own Javier Mascherano (Ryan Campbell) pumped straight back into the 18 yard area. Rory did not need to be asked twice. He took it down on his chest, went by one defender and in cheeky fashion, took it round the keeper to very nearly walk it home!
Half Time St Mary's 3 Belvoir 1. The lads were flying!
not much was needed to be said at half time so the second half started on a high! It didn't take long for the lads to pick up where they left off! The impeccable Niall McCourt tortured their midfield with his impressive runs and his talent paid off in the way of a through ball to Rory Walsh who slotted home for the second time to make it 4 -1! By this point fitness Coach Barry was sweating as he offers a cash bonus to any one who scores a hat trick! This score line boosted a confidence oozing side, which were lacking the talents of Mark Wilson, Paddy and Marty Neill, who are all strong contenders for a starting 11 this season! In the style of Liverpool the last few seasons you would have thought the lads would have sat back and defended! No chance! Stephen McGoran hassled down the right, with Campbell and Brennan sorting out the swimming pool that was the midfield area. At this point Niall McCourt was not done, and gladly got one of his own to make it 5-1! The Belvoir side fought well in the conditions but the lads were just too strong. The opponents threw all sorts of shots down the throat of the impressive Michael Fearon, but the lads handling skills were just far too superior to be beaten!
Next, a penalty decision - in our favour, something we are not used to! Blatant penalty when Rory Walsh was brought down! He grabbed the ball as if to say I'm having the coach's money! Coach Barry was worried but hopeful of dipping into his pockets! Rory stepped up but was saved by a sensation stop by the Keeper! The penalties lead to a corner! Mooney (Kieran McLarnon) and John Mulholland, whose partnership at centre back has fused sweetly, both game up for a piece of the action, and it paid off! The ball dropped to Mooney who slotted it home! 6-1 at this point!
their were five minutes remaining, when Jim and Barry decided on a reshuffle for future reference - Stephen McGoran made way for Paul Rice, with Blue Hunter pushing to left Midfield and Beefo switching to the right, for the little man to slot in at left back! Two more changes saw Chris Steele replace Niall McCourt and Peter Lee replace Rory Walsh much to the cheeky smiles of the Hat-trick hunger lad! This was a straight striker for striker double substitution!
The lads that came on chased for more goals but at that point there were only five minutes to go!
the Belvoir lads got a late looping equaliser over the solid Michael Fearon which more or less was the last action of the game!
All in all the lads can be very proud of their attitude, performance and deliverance on a night here the conditions did no one any favours! Well done Lads! Bring on Larne Youth on Saturday!
Team: Michael Fearon, Michael Donaldson, John Mulholland, Mooney, Blue Hunter, Beefo, Stephen Brennan, Campbell, Stephen McGoran (Paul Rice), Rory Walsh (Peter Lee), Niall McCourt (Chris Steele).