Maghera Strollers
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4-1 (HT 2-0) |
City Colts Eoghan Moore (75) |
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Report by Gleann Mac Ainmhire
Maghera Strollers played host to league new-boys City Colts from Derry City, for their third match in this years Northwest Junior League. Coming off the back of a hard earned 2-1 home victory over initial league favourites Lincoln Courts and an emphatic 5-0 away win against Greysteel, the Strollers were up against a team who have lost the last three in a row of their four league games this season.
The Strollers took command of the game from the whistle and after 10 minutes a nice pass from Colm Sargent found Ryan Winton who skipped gracefully past a tackle in the box, before neatly squaring the ball to Jerome Mc Kenna who made no mistake in finding the net from 6 yards out, 1-0. The Maghera lads domination continued and after 35 minutes a long clearance in defence by Michael Scullion found Sargent on the periphery of the Colt's box. Unchallenged, Sargent's quick touch and pass found Christopher O'Kane unmarked near the penalty spot where he flawlessly rattled the net to give the Strollers a 2-0 advantage.
Jerome McKenna gives the Strollers the lead after 10 minutes.
The second half started as the first half ended with the Strollers occupying the Colt's half of the pitch. On the 54th minute a careless Colt's tackle on Jerome Mc Kenna in the box left referee Abi Mohammed with no alternative other than to award a penalty. Up stepped striker Gary O' Doherty who obliged by netting his third goal in two games, 3-0 the Strollers. With half an hour to go, a worrying moment for the Strollers saw Gazza O' Doherty replaced by Mark O' Donnell up front as a precautionary switch due to a hamstring strain. With 20 minutes remaining a bit of tension between the Colt's version of Bjorn Borg (headband included) and Mc Kenna, resulted in the Colt's midfielder being shown the red card for a second bookable offence. For a brief period the Strollers seemed to take their foot off the pedal and on 75 minutes Ciaran Mc Eldowney was uncharacteristically dispossessed. Although Scullion chased back and made a great tackle, the ball somehow deflected off the Colt's striker and looped into the top corner, giving the Strollers goalkeeper Lorcan Mc Kenna no chance, 3-1. With 15 minutes remaining, Gary Burke replaced Sargent in midfield and Conall Mc Kee took Mc Eldowney's place in defence. Stern words from the coaches on the sideline had an immediate impact in waking the team up as a pass to O' Donnell saw him burst down the right side before cutting left to fire the Strollers fourth at his near post. A 4-1 victory sees Maghera Strollers maintain a 100% record from three league starts this season.
Christopher O'Kane doubled the advantage on 34 minutes.