Park Rangers 1 - 0 Ferrybank
A superb game of football played by a bunch of young footballers on both sides that should be proud of their efforts. This was always going to be a tight game as Ferrybank have had some really impressive results of late and we knew that it would take our best efforts to move on to the semi final. Both defences were well on top in the first half and despite having a few half chances mainly from corners we couldn’t break down a very well organised defence. Ferrybank caused us one or two problems also, mainly through their nippy little striker but Adam Dawson, who was assured throughout the game, dealt with everything very comfortably.
The second half started much the same as the first half until mid way through a bit of magic from Dillon Kennedy set up Mark Hartley to score what proved to be the only goal of the game with a bullet header. Ollie was unlucky not to double the lead as he cracked the upright from 25 yards out with a great strike on his weaker right foot! Dillon was also very unlucky with a volley from outside the box which whistled past the post with the keeper well beaten. Ferrybank kept pushing hard for an equaliser which would have taken the game to penalties and with just a few minutes remaining forced Adam into a great save which was followed by a miraculous double goal line clearance from Mark before Adam managed to smother the ball.
From a coaches perspective the most satisfying thing from his game wasn’t progressing to the semi final but it was the fact that we played the last 10 mins with what some might consider 6 of our stronger players on the bench, including 2 Waterford u12 players. It’s testament to the work the squad has put in over the season that we could see out such a close game without those lads and shows that the future for this bunch of players is bright.
Best for rangers was a tough one with Ollie, Adam and Lenny all impressing but the honours today go to Mark Hartley for a great all round performance.
A superb game of football played by a bunch of young footballers on both sides that should be proud of their efforts. This was always going to be a tight game as Ferrybank have had some really impressive results of late and we knew that it would take our best efforts to move on to the semi final. Both defences were well on top in the first half and despite having a few half chances mainly from corners we couldn’t break down a very well organised defence. Ferrybank caused us one or two problems also, mainly through their nippy little striker but Adam Dawson, who was assured throughout the game, dealt with everything very comfortably.
The second half started much the same as the first half until mid way through a bit of magic from Dillon Kennedy set up Mark Hartley to score what proved to be the only goal of the game with a bullet header. Ollie was unlucky not to double the lead as he cracked the upright from 25 yards out with a great strike on his weaker right foot! Dillon was also very unlucky with a volley from outside the box which whistled past the post with the keeper well beaten. Ferrybank kept pushing hard for an equaliser which would have taken the game to penalties and with just a few minutes remaining forced Adam into a great save which was followed by a miraculous double goal line clearance from Mark before Adam managed to smother the ball.
From a coaches perspective the most satisfying thing from his game wasn’t progressing to the semi final but it was the fact that we played the last 10 mins with what some might consider 6 of our stronger players on the bench, including 2 Waterford u12 players. It’s testament to the work the squad has put in over the season that we could see out such a close game without those lads and shows that the future for this bunch of players is bright.
Best for rangers was a tough one with Ollie, Adam and Lenny all impressing but the honours today go to Mark Hartley for a great all round performance.
Kilmacow 2-2 Park Rangers U15A
We were going into the unknown last night as this team hadn't even had a full training session with everyone present. Over the summer we lost a lot of players to other teams but we also gained some with Eoin, George, Gareth & Fionn joining the club.
The first few minutes were nervy but we soon settled and started to pass the ball around and created chance after chance. Kilmacow are a strong team and our back line of Sophia, Noah, Sam & Daniel limited them to very few attempts on goal. Aaron's handling in goal was fantastic. Halfway through the first half Gareth set up our Captain Dylan Harte who tucked the ball away to put us 1-0 up. Our midfield of Thomas, Luke, George & Gareth were controlling the game and it was Gareth Mahon who anticipated the ball and scrambled it home at the back post 5 minutes before the break. He also collided with the keeper to score and played no further part in the match
2-0 to PRS at the break.
Kilmacow started the 2nd half strongly but for the first 20 minutes we kept creating chances with Dylan and Scott up front narrowly missing or the kilmacow keeper making saves. Eoin who had replaced Gareth and had been causing kilmacow problems down the right clashed heads and also had to be replaced. Kilmacow pulled one back to make it 2-1. As the game was nearing the end our lads were tiring rapidly and we became a little disjointed allowing Kilmacow to level with 3 minutes left. We didnt let our heads drop and we couldn't have asked any more from these lads. We almost snatched the winner in the dying seconds when Dylan skillfully cushioned a shot from a cross 10 yards out only to see it go agonisingly inches over the bar. These lads can be proud of their efforts and a point taken from a strong Kilmacow side is a good start to what promises to be an exciting season.
Men of the Match
Daniel Doyle & Sam Mcloughlin
Well done lads