Crossgar Youth League - Week 4 (week commencing 2nd July 2013)

 

A special mention goes to the children and families of the under sixes who all turned up despite the miserable weather.  The children played out three entertaining matches. 

Napoli 11 Lazio 2
Napoli ran out winners but his was a very even contest early on with two goals apiece from Shane Kernan and Jacob McIlhatton in an end to end start to the game. Shane Kernan then went on another goalscoring spree finished up with another eight goal tally.  Jamie Gibb was impressive throughout and he grabbed two superb goals with Ashton Ross scoring another great goal.  Scott McCoubrey, Callum Ward, Savanna Jackson all impressed for Napoli with Leah McKee outstanding.  For Lazio Eva Hession proved that she is an outstanding goalkeeper with a string of fantastic saves.

Juventus 3 Inter 1
Two evenly matched teams played out an entertaining game with Donatas Jermakovas the difference between the two teams.  Donatas scored early on with Jacob Hamilton grabbing an excellent second goal for Juve.  Inter struck back with a goal from Euan McBride before Jermakovas grabbed the winner.  Inter had a great team performance and Rudy Miskelley and Aoise Savage impressed throughout the contest.
 

Roma 3 AC Milan 2

In a rain soaked encounter between Roma and Milan it was Milan who started brightly with a first half goal from Charlie McCamley and some good work from William Jackson.  Roma then steadied, and after a period of consistent pressure were rewarded with three first half goals from Jack Dickson, Fionn Turner and Oliver Casement.  In the second half Milan looked to be back in the game with a late penalty calmly slotted away by Euan Martin, but in the end Roma held on for a hard fought victory and an important 3 points.  Unbeaten Roma now look forward to their final league match and the winner takes all encounter with Napoli.

 

Arsenal remain league leaders of the U8 section with a hard fought 2-1 win over Man City. Callum Rogan put City ahead from the penalty spot after an Arsenal defender was penalised after touching the ball in the penalty box. In the first half Harry Smyth, Ben Cromie and Katie Magee were impressive for Man City while Bebhionn Rogan was excellent in goals for Arsenal. However the Gunners battled back in the second half when a wonderful Chris Murnin free kick brought the teams level. Arsenal grabbed all three points when Jack Kerr’s excellent strike beat Niall Robb in the City goal.
 

Spurs 2 Chelsea 3
With both teams under-strength a real battle ensued on the night with Chelsea coming out on top thanks to a Fionn Mulhern hat-trick. Spurs applied the early pressure but were unable to convert a number of chances, with Eamonn McKinney going close early on. It wasn’t long though before Chelsea started to get the upper hand. A break by Reza Forbes led to a foul on the edge of the area and up stepped Mulhern to curl the free kick into the top right hand corner beyond the flailing hand of John Killen to put Chelsea one nil up. In a carbon copy move a foul on Chloe Ward again saw Mulhern leave the keeper with no chance as his free kick put the Blues two up. The second half saw Spurs make a real go of it and a long range effort from McKinney brought them right back into it. This seemed to wake Chelsea up again and a mazy run and fine finish by Mulhern looked to have put the game beyond Spurs, but another long range strike by McKinney made it a nervous last few minutes. Benjamin Fitzsimons and Declan Salmon pressed for an equaliser and then Oisin Casement’s close range effort was superbly saved by Zara McGonigle who prevented a share of the points for Spurs. The U8 League title is now a straight shoot-out between Chelsea and Arsenal on the 25th July with winner take all!   

 

In the Man Utd/ Liverpool game both teams were hoping for their first league win of the season. In a very tight affair Man Utd triumphed 3-2 with Sean Murphy scoring a superb hat trick. Daniel Spratt scored Liverpool’s two goals with Jack Hewitt impressive throughout and unlucky not to get an equaliser. Jason Withers was excellent in the Utd goals while Patrick Robb and Meena Lennon also performed well.

 

In the U12 section Germany’s unbeaten run continued with a 3-1 victory over Holland. Ronnie Lennon’s team started the game great with Reuben Lennon’s shot putting them ahead and Curtis Ross going close on two occasions.  However Germany began to take a stranglehold of the game and Shay McGrattan’s quick double strike put the Germans in front just before half-time. Christ McCallan guaranteed all three points with Germany’s third with Arthur Johnston and Conor Mullan also performing well for the winners.
 

Italy defeated a weakened Ireland side 5-0 to move into second place behind Germany. Conn Murnin scored a hat trick with Oisin Mulholland getting two in a one sided affair.  This was a great team performance by Italy with Hannah Perry and Ciaran Rowan also doing well for the winners.  England defeated Spain 4-0 with goals from Aaron O’Toole, Aaron Shepherd, Michael Beattie and Kirsty Maginnes. O’Toole was particular impressive for the winners with Spain’s Sam McCullough very unlucky not to score.  Spain’s lack of players was clearly a major factor in this game with Gary Murray’s hoping for a change of fortune in their next league match.

Under ten matches were postponed last week and these fixtures will now be played on Tuesday 30th July.  There is a break for all teams over the next few weeks with the league resuming on Tuesday 23rd July (under 6 and under 10) and Thursday 25th July (under 8 and under 12).  Parents our reminded that all teams will be playing in a cup final on Saturday 3rd August.  If anyone is interested in setting up a stall please e-mail us at chairman@crossgaryouthleague.com.