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U14s Lose Extra Time Nail-Biter at Coleraine Showgrounds

Both teams looked up for game as they took to the pitch and were obviously relishing the opportunity of playing at the showgrounds for the first time.

The game got off to a great start for both teams as both sets of midfielders set about imposing themselves on the game. The Dalriada boys had the upper hand though and set about their job of disrupting any creative endeavour from the Magherafelt boys with some strong tackling and insightful interceptions.

It was the Magherafelt boys who struck first though with a well-taken goal from Michael Scott. This was against the run-of-play and this was vein of form was to continue for the rest of the half much to the credit of the Dalriada boys. Indeed the Dalriada boys were unlucky not to equalise before half-time.

In the second half with the High school struggling to win any ball in midfield coupled with strong running by the Dalriada boys, the tide was always against the Magherafelt defence.

Wave after wave of Dalriada attacks failed to evade the attention of the Magherafelt defenders and in particular young Magherafelt High keeper Carson McIlhatton. Carson had a superb game between the sticks and were it not for a number of unbelievable saves, the game would have been over well before full-time.

The game went into extra-time and both teams held out defiantly as if willing to risk all for thier the lottery of penalty kicks. With the referee looking at his whistle, the Dalriada boys scored with a thumping header to seal the fate of the brave Magherafelt boys.

The game was lost but the Magherafelt boys can hold their heads up high having got beaten several teams to reach this stage of the competition. Undoubtedly with continued hard-work and training the boys will be back in the hunt next year.

(Under-14 league final team February 2009)

Mr Martin

[18th February 2009]