U-12 Strand Celtic 2 v Manor Rangers Blues 3

Clancy shines as Manorhamilton Rangers Blues record first win of season.

Manorhamilton Rangers Blues recorded their first U12 Development League victory of the season when picking up all three points on a sunny Saturday morning in Strandhill. Manor started well against Strand Celt Greens determined not to let the same situation arise as the previous week when they conceded a number of early goals.

Conditions were perfect for football with a gentle breeze swirling across the park. From the kick of Damon Beattie broke through the Strand defence. He went wide and sent in an inch perfect cross which caused havoc in the Strand penalty area. A Declan Byrne shot was deflected out for a corner. Strand defended well and cleared their lines.

The first ten minutes were all Manor as the Blues launched attack after attack playing with renewed confidence. The first goal came courtesy of Damon Beattie who broke through from the eighteen yard box. He beat two defenders and saw his shot deflected for a corner. Mark Lyndsay swung in a lovely corner which was met on the volley by Beattie for Manors first goal. it was a goal of quality which would adorn any playing field.

Five minutes later Manor were awarded a free kick just inside the Strand area when the Strand keeper lifted a back pass from one of his defenders. Byrne touched the ball to Cummins who shot hit the side netting and was a let off for Strand.

Manor should have scored a second three minutes later when Alan McSharry brilliantly rounded three Strand defenders to find himself one on one with the keeper. He rounded the keeper but watched as his shot went narrowly wide.

Strand came more into the game after this and were unlucky not to score when they were awarded a free kick just outside Manors area. Donnacha Gilligan sent a shot just outside Manors near post.

Mark Lyndsay scored Manors second goal when he broke through Strands defence. He played a neat one two with McSharry and let loose a shot which beat the keeper but was handled by the defender. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Lyndsay stepped up and slotted the penalty home to put Manor 2-0 ahead.

Strand looked certain to score just before half time when they launched a counter attack and caught the Blues napping. With Gilligan reigning in on goal Glen Beattie made up ten yards and made a last ditch tackle to take the ball off Gilligans toe. The ball went out to the left and was quickly crossed back. The big Strand number eight shot from two yards out and Clancy somehow palmed the ball around the post.

The referee blew for half time and Manor Rangers Blues led 2-0 at the interval.

Strand made a number of changes at halftime and the second half was a much more evenly contested affair. The next goal would be vital and it was Strand Celtic Greens who stepped up to the mark. Donnacha Gilligan made amends for his first half miss when he rifled a shot to the Blues net from twelve yards out to bring his side back into the game.

Strand should have been level five minutes later a lapse in concentration by the Manor defence let Strand through. Once again Manor were reliant on a brilliant save by Ethan Clancy to save their blushes. Indeed Clancy was called upon on another two occasions to perform heroics and keep his side ahead.

Manors third goal came after a sustained period of pressure. Damon Beattie took a throw in from the halfway line. Alan McSharry threaded a ball through to Fergal Magill. Manor had two unmarked strikers in space but Magil showing extreme confidence for a young player turned and  beat two defenders and stroked a lovely shot low and placed it under the Strand keeper to put Manor 3-1 ahead.

Strand scored their second two minutes from time when they broke out from defence and again caught Manor napping. Giligan scoring his and Strands second.

Daithi Cummins went off injured for Manor and they adopted a 4-5-1 formation to hold out for a well deserved draw. Man of the match went to ethan Clancy for his excellent display of quality goalkeeping.

 

Manorhamilton Rangers Blues:

Clancy, Rooney, Ferguson, Lyndsay, G Beattie, D Beattie, Byrne, McDermott, Magil, McSharry, Cummins, Subs: McDermott, Devanney, Munday