NIFL Academy League

COLERAINE sides were all in NIFL Academy League action this weekend with our U16 and U18 defeating Institute…

NIFL Academy U16

Coleraine 5-2 Institute

This week Coleraine U16s faced a North West Derby with the visit of Institute to Rugby Avenue.

Early on Institute exploded into the game looking to generate as much pressure as possible to disrupt the young Bannsiders rhythm. A fiery passage of play saw Institute win a set piece 30yards out, a ball played into a dangerous area saw a visiting player flick the ball into the top right hand corner to make it 0-1 Institute.

Moments later, it was 2v0 to the visitors.  A Stute player’s crisp strike managed to evade the grasp of Donnelly in the Coleraine goal.

In a position they were yet to find themselves in the young Bannsiders had work to do to get back into the game. As the first half went on, Smith replaced McToal, Kyle, Armstrong, Moore and Devine began to assert control and move the ball. A flowing move saw Coleraine win a corner, Kyle’s wicked delivery was met by a powerful header from Armstrong flying past the opposition keeper to make it 1-2.

Coleraine were beginning to express themselves with free flowing football and a good move on the left saw Kirk and Devine combine playing in KC, evading the first challenge and what looked certain to be a goal, KC was brought down to make it a penalty to Coleraine. Moore stepped up and made no mistake sending the ‘Stute ‘keeper the wrong way 2-2.

Dennison, Smith and Gault worked hard to ensure the momentum stayed with the Bannsiders, with greater link up play involving Moore and McIntyre was causing real problems for Institute. A clever pass from Armstrong to Devine whose quick thinking to set Kirk allowed for a dangerous cross to be fired into the box, only to be met by KC who calmy volleyed home to make it 3-2.

Coleraine kept the forward pressure on. Winning yet another corner; delivered by Kyle, this time it was Devine’s turn to get in on the action a bullet header flew past Stute’s’ keeper to make it 4-2.

The young Bannsiders have turned the game on its head as the half continued tempers and emotions were beginning to take hold. From another Coleraine corner, Dennison found himself embroiled in a alleged altercation that saw him receive a straight red card.

After regrouping, captain Kyle galvanised his teammates to take control and keep playing football despite playing with 10 men. A brilliant passage of play saw Kyle, McIntyre and Olphert combine well, Olphert calmly twisted and turned through the opposition box and slotted a left footed strike into the bottom corner to make it 5-2.

Coleraine kept coming, Martin and Moffat came into the game for Gault and Moore to add fresh legs, the young Bannsiders wanted to see the game out the best way they know how, by keeping the ball and carry on attacking.

Credit to Institute who never make things easy, however Martin was now beginning to dominate play, Smith, McIntyre, Kirk and Devine worked tirelessly to restrict any forward attempt from Institute.

The referee blew the full time whistle much to the home teams delight. A hard fought three points. Next week the U16s face a trip to Midgley Park where they will face another tough task against Linfield.

U16’s boss Marty Smith reflected on the success at Rugby Avenue.

“We were very happy with the overall performance on Friday night,” he said.

“To come away from home and control the game for large parts was very pleasing.  We scored five but could have had more as we hit the post a number of times and the ‘Stute GK made some decent saves.

“We defended well and limited ‘Stute to very few chances while at the other end Christopher Cullen got himself a hat-trick and Patton got himself a goal to add to his goal last week.  The goal of the night was when Stewart scored a great goal into the top corner.

“However, special mention must go to Jack Patton who took a nasty knock but showed good courage and wanted to play on. We have another tough game next week when we welcome Linfield to Coleraine.”

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

NIFL Academy U18

Institute 1-5 Coleraine

Coleraine travelled to take on Institute on Friday night hoping to continue their positive start to the season.

Coleraine started the game well and created a number of chances before they eventually did take lead through Jack Patton, this goal was quickly followed by number two as Cullen finished well to leave the young Bannsiders 2-0 up inside 20 minutes.

Coleraine continued to create chances and were well on top. It was soon 3-0 when good football in midfield found Cullen who played the ball off and Stewart came inside on to his unfavoured left foot which didn’t deter him as he fired a fantastic effort into the top corner from the edge of the area.

‘Stute pushed to get back into the game and a good strike from the edge of the area forced Shiels into a smart stop diving to his right. ‘Stute did get a goal back just before half time when a cross from the left was well finished by their striker.

The second half started with ‘Stute applying pressure trying to get back into the game. ‘Stute forced a number of corners and tested the Coleraine defence but they stood firm and dealt well with the threat.

Coleraine then stretched their lead when Cullen raced on to a through ball by McAlesse and finished well past the goalkeeper. This settled the game and the young Stripes got back on top. The game was finished as a contest after Moffat’s cross from the left was headed against the cross bar by Aryan KC but Cullen was on hand to smash home the rebound and complete his hat-trick.

Coleraine could have had more in the last 20 minutes when both McAleese and Kyle hit the post but this proved insignificant as the Bannsiders comfortably saw the game out.

SQUAD: Shiels, Stewart, Mc Bride, Callaghan, Campbell, Gallagher, Kelly, Keogh, Cullen, Patton, McAlesse, Moffat, Kyle, KC, Greer.