NIFL Academy League

A weekly catch-up of NIFL Academy League action as Coleraine U16’s and 18’s faced Institute, with the U20’s on their travels to Warrenpoint Town…

NIFL Academy U16

Institute 6-1 Coleraine

Coleraine played away to Institute on Saturday at the Clooney Park West and a disappointing display resulted in a 6-1 defeat for the young Bannsiders.

Coleraine trailed 3-0 at the break and tried hard to get back in the game in the second half but unfortunately found themselves falling 6-1 behind against a spirited Institute side.

A good learning curve for the Coleraine team and they will aim for improvements when they host Linfield in two weeks’ time.

SQUAD: Donnelly, Smith, Gault, McIntyre, Dennison, Kirk, Devine, Armstrong, Moore, KC, Olphert, Smyth, Kyle, Martin.

NIFL Academy U18

Coleraine 6-0 Institute

Coleraine played host to Institute in this North West Derby.

Coleraine started well and were getting the better of the early exchanges and that early pressure told as Jack McFeely finished well after Cullen’s shot came back off the post to put the Bannsiders ahead on 10 minutes. From here Coleraine had good control of the game but had to be wary of ‘Stute’s counter attack. Midway through the half, it was 2-0 when Cullen stepped up and struck a free kick into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Soon after, Coleraine extended their lead when a good flowing move resulted in McFeely getting his second, finishing well from a superb McAlesse cut back. As the half was drawing to close, Cullen got his second of the evening to leave Coleraine well in control and 4-0 up at the break.

Any hopes Institute had of getting into the game were gone ten minutes into the second half when the front two of McFeely and Cullen added a goal each to both complete their hat-tricks and make it 6-0.

From here, a flurry of substitutions broke the flow of the game but Coleraine remained in control and were unlucky not to add to their lead when Moore’s drive from edge of the box hit the bar, while Smyth had a shot deflected just past the post. Credit to Institute who despite the scoreline kept going and ensured Coleraine were kept honest to the end.

A well deserved victory for the Bannsiders.

SQUAD: Stewart, McBride, Campbell, Kyle, Keogh, Callaghan, Elliot, McAlesse, Cullen, McFeely, Moffat, Gallagher, Moore, Greer, Smyth.

NIFL Academy U20

Warrenpoint Town 3-3 Coleraine

The Bannsiders made the long journey to Milltown to face Warrenpoint Town.

The Stripes had led 2-0 and 3-2 at stages of the game through goals from Conall Houston (2) and Kirk McLaughlin but they had to settle for a share of the spoils.

The U20’s are on their travels to Shamrock Park next Saturday to face Portadown.

SQUAD: Henderson, Riley, Tosh, McNeill, Curran, Stinson, Kirk, Houston, McLaughlin, Mackay, Quigley, Shiels, McGill, Wattson, Doherty, Kirk.