NIFL Academy League

COLERAINE U18’s would battle back from two goals down to salvage a point against Linfield as our U20’s are beaten by Carrick Rangers…

NIFL Academy U16

Linfield P-P Coleraine

The under-16 clash between Linfield and Coleraine was postponed.

NIFL Academy U18

Coleraine 2-2 Linfield

Coleraine locked horns with an ‘experienced’ Linfield team at Rugby Avenue on Friday night. The game was played with real quality and intensity throughout.

Both sides started well looking to pass the ball and impose themselves on the opposition, this resulted in both sides cancelling each other out. There was no lack of effort or commitment but chances where at a premium in the first half. The Coleraine defence aided by the midfield duo of Callaghan and Keogh kept Linfield at bay, whilst the same could be said of the visitors’ defence as the Bannsiders failed to test test Williamson in the Linfield goal.

It took 30 minutes for the first real goal mouth action as Shiels in the Coleraine goal made a smart stop from a Linfield effort from distance, with Christopher Cullen having a really good effort for the Stripes before the half-time whistle.

The second half started much like the first, both teams battling it out in an entertaining fashion. The first goal of the game arrived with 20 minutes remaining when Linfield took full advantage of some slack defending from Coleraine to take the lead. It was soon 2-0 as Linfield added to their lead with a smart finish.

Coleraine had to dig deep and gather themselves as it looked like Linfield had secured the three points. However, the young Coleraine lads did not roll over and pushed on trying to find a way back into the game and they did just that when a free kick delivered from McBride fell to Kelly 15 yards out and he volleyed home to provide a life line for the Bannsiders.

Coleraine pushed in search of the equaliser and with five minutes remaining they deservedly drew level when a superb delivery from Kelly was bravely headed home at the back post by McBride. In the remaining minutes, both teams looked to nick the three points but in truth a point was fair on both teams in an highly competitive and entertaining affair.

Speaking after the match, U18’s boss Marty Smith said:

“It was a really good competitive game between the two sides.

“Once again our lads showed great desire to find a way back in the game after going behind. We are disappointed with the goals we gave away but hopefully we will learn from it.

“I was delighted with the response and our equaliser in particular was pleasing as it was a great delivery from Kelly and a great header by Taylor who had another good game.

“The game and how it was played was a great learning curve for our lads. We have gone with a young team at 18s level this season and the Linfield team was probably the oldest team we have or will play against this seaso,n so the lessons learnt from playing against older, physically stronger lads will help our boys as they hope to progress into our under 20s team and more.

“We have another tough game next week as we travel to Ards on Friday night.”

SQUAD: Shiels, Stewart, McBride, Callaghan, A. Campbell, Gallagher, Kelly, Keogh, Cullen, Patton, McFeely, Moffat, Kyle, G. Campbell, Greer, Smyth.

NIFL Academy U20

Coleraine 2-3 Carrick Rangers

The Bannsiders were beaten by Carrick Rangers in an entertaining clash at Coleraine University.

A brace from Kirk McLaughlin wasn’t enough for the Stripes to pick up any points as the visitors bagged three times.

SQUAD: Shiels, Riley, Tosh, Dealey, Curran, Stinston, Kirk, Houston, McLaughlin, McKay, Quigley, Colhoun, McNeill, Watton, McFeely, Kirk, McGill.