As the games come thick and fast the U16 A team turned out in the SBYFL Cup Semi-Final against 1st Division Antrim Rovers at a sunny but breezy Olympia.
A few changes had to be made today due to other commitments and it was a terrible start as within the first minute another bit of indecision saw the Antrim Rovers striker nip in between Tom Webb-Jones and stand-in Colts keeper Peter Duncan to tuck the ball into the net, 1:0 to Antrim Rovers.
The Colts settled a bit and although they lacked a bit of energy due to recent games, started to play the ball around as per their normal style. The Colts pushed for the equaliser which finally came following a series of corners with one being swung in from the right for Caolan Cunningham to nip in front of the Rovers defender to flick the ball goal ward and make it 1:1; the goal was finally called an own goal as it hit off the Rovers defender.
The back 4 of Tom Webb-Jones, Paul Doherty, Jonny Wilson and David Hilland protected Peters goal really well, and it wasn’t long before the Colts made it 2:1, yet again a few “off the training pitch” corners a short one was returned to Simon Turkington who delivered a pin point cross which was met the excellent timed lead of Leo McGowan to bullet a header into the Rovers goal, 2:1 to the Colts and that’s how the half ended.
The 2nd half saw the Colts face into a stiff breeze, and Antrim Rovers used their advantage by playing many long balls which the Colts defence managed really well, but as one did break the Antrim striker had a decent effort from outside the box well turned past the post by Peter Duncan at full stretch. The Colts continued to control the game and again had a flurry of corners and on at least three occasions it appeared harder to miss as the ball bounced around the 6 yard box, in one case a flick from Ryan Tweedy was well cleared on the line.
Antrim Rovers continued to push for the equaliser, but the Colts kept their head and the ball really well. Ryan Tweedy brought a round of applause from the Colts supports as he won a hard tackle, took a touch and played an unbelievable Rabona pass up the line to Caolan Cunningham! You’ll see it on “show boat” next week!!
The game finished 2:1 to the Colts and it could have been more, but getting into the final was the key objective today!
Result: 2-1 to the Colts
Scorers: Own-gaol, Leo McGowan
Man of The Match: Paul Doherty.
Next game is on Tue night at Mallusk against Willowbank in the League 18:45 KO.