Academy Round-Up
IT was yet another busy weekend for the Academy as they were involved in competitions across the Province…
Coleraine Academy 2006 1-4 Linfield
Boys were brilliant today! Competed well and were well in the game until Linfield were awarded a penalty. Linfield scored a further two quick goals to lead 3-0 at half time. Boys were immense in the second half and scored an early goal which lifted them to another level, winning 50\50 balls with some outstanding tackles.
With a little more luck and a referee that wasn’t showing a little home bias we could had another goal or two. Boys were unlucky to concede a fourth goal near the end but everyone of them ran themselves into the ground! They realised themselves that their second half performance was outstanding and were disappointed they hadn’t played like that in the first-half.
I’m immensely proud of every player today considering we were down to the barebones of a squad and boys playing with injuries, everyone of them were outstanding and dead on their feet as they leaved the pitch at full time.
Coleraine Academy 2008 4-1 Bertie Peacocks
The 2008 Academy team finished up before the Christmas break with a derby game against their neighbours Bertie Peacocks.
Coleraine started the brighter of the two teams but it was Berties who took an early lead after they got a free header from a well worked corner at the near post to leave Charlie in nets no chance. This caused a reaction from Coleraine with Dara starting to exert dominance in the centre of the park. This created opportunities for our attacking line of Pierce, Tiernan, Conor and Thomas. After a period of attack the kids got of the mark on 15 minutes when Pierce played a great through ball to Thomas who side footed it into the bottom corner. Another followed quickly with Pierce again playing a defence splitting pass through to Thomas to tap home again and take a narrow lead into the break.
In cold and gloomy conditions both teams struggled to get going in the second half. The game became quite scrappy with both defences on top. The back 4 of Matthew P, Matthew M, Daniel, Ross and Logan were superb in breaking up play and snuffing out danger. Coleraine continued to press and brought out a number of outstanding saves from the Peacocks goalkeeper. Midway into the half Charlie in nets gathered the ball, and quickly picked out Thomas with a inch perfect pass to put him clean through on goal and he claimed his hat trick. In the final few minutes Tiernan picked out Harry who scored a well earned goal for his performance.
Credit to both teams who put on a fantastic and closely contested game. The game was played in a very sporting manner and it is refreshing and exciting to see the obvious future potential of the Under 11 age-group in the local area. Both teams have also qualified for the last 16 of the NIBFA Boys Cup and eagerly await next weeks draw.
Mountjoy United Juniors U12 0-3 Coleraine Academy Under 12’s
After a month of no football the “Wee Bannsiders” made the long journey to Omagh to take on Mountjoy United Juniors in the NIBFA Plate 2nd round. Coleraine started very positively, passing the ball about well on a big pitch, however, with seven-a-side goals Coleraine were finding it hard to make the break through. Gaston, Sheppard, E. Campbell, McGowan, Hayes & McDonald all had decent chances for the “Wee Bannsiders” but went in level at the break.
Coleraine had to be very patient & eventually the breakthrough came on 26 minutes when good play on the right found McGowan who had the vision to play a neat pass into McDonald to fire past the Mountjoy goalkeeper. On 29 minutes the “Wee Bannsiders” doubled their lead, again through McDonald. Mountjoy started to come into the game more but were denied by the defence of Millar & Dallas, also goalkeeper Watton was in fine form when called upon.
Coleraine thought they had went further ahead when Gaston went on a attacking run only to see J. Campbell caught offside when given the ball to place home. Coleraine finally increased their lead & again it was McDonald for his & Coleraine’s third goal of the day. Sheppard worked hard up & down the pitch linking up well with Wilmont to create more chances for the “Wee Bannsiders” but Mountjoy defended well with their goalkeeper also in top form. Right at the end a fantastic strike from Sheppard looked goal bound but was unlucky to see Mountjoy’s goalkeeper turn it round the post.
Good team performance with not having a game for a few weeks & nice to be in the hat for the last sixteen.
Coleraine Alexandra 4-0 Carniny Youths
The second half wasn’t a minute old when Robbie scored his second goal with an effort just inside the post after good work from Ollie McCaughan. Four minutes later, it was 3-0 this time Reece scored a similar goal just inside the post after a scramble in the Carniny goal mouth. Substitute Daniel Wisener then scored a fourth as this time Oliver Wright released Robbie down the left channel who crossed for Lewis the defender cleared but only as far as Daniel who made no mistake.
The defence of Troy McKay, Brajan Baginski and Noah Wilson stood firm to avoid the goals however they had Luke to thank for his double save to keep a clean sheet. The boys then made their way to WD Meats for photos with Director Claire Holley who very kindly sponsored the strips.
The coaches and playing staff would like to take this opportunity to thank Claire and WD Meats for their continued support towards the Academy and Coleraine Alexandra throughout the years.
Tristar Magee 1-2 Coleraine Academy 2005
The boys came into this game off the back of three wins and started brightly with Aaron Campbell crashing an effort of the Tristar crossbar in the opening couple of minutes, the boys kept the early momentum going and were ahead within the opening six minutes when a through ball from Aaron Campbell played Sam McMullan through and the striker finished clinically.
Tails up the boys continued to press and were looking dangerous when Tristar themselves stared to come into the game, a quick break resulted in a Tristar corner from which they undoubtedly created their best chance of the half only to be denied by an outstanding double save from Myles Reilly in the Coleraine goal. The boys responded by adding a second, good work on the left saw Luke Kelly nick the ball, play in Sam who set up Jake Marshall who finished brilliantly from the edge of the box.
The boys knew going into the second half that Tristar would come at them and they pulled a goal back early into the second half. Great credit to the boys they pulled together, defending strongly and saw out the game creating a number of chances to add to the score line.
A fantastic game of football from two teams looking to attack. Next week sees the boys entertain Crusaders at home in their final game before the Christmas break.
A massive well done to the entire squad.
Coleraine Academy 2010 vs Magherafelt Youths 2009
After a quiet opening five minutes the Coleraine side found their rhythm and began to control the game with their passing and pressing. Shortly afterwards the Coleraine side took the lead and never looked back. In a game played with a high intensity from both sides, both teams deserve a lot of credit and will surely meet again in the future.
After the match the Coleraine players presented there injured goalkeeper Max Cunningham with a get well soon gift. We wish Max a speedy recovery.
Get well soon, Max!
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