Stranocum give the opposition the Blues

STRANOCUM Youths entertained Magherafelt Sky Blues on Saturday at Paddys’ Park, Dervock in the North West & Coleraine District Youth League.

This was a game in which the strong wind played a significant part.

Magherafelt had the advantage of the wind in their backs in the first half and they made good use of this with a number of attacks on the Stranocum goals.

Stranocum also created a couple of half chances which weren’t converted. The defence of Ryan McLaughlin, Craig Cunningham, Adam Jamison and Owen McLaughlin had done well but the pressure from Magherafelt eventually paid off five minutes before the break when a midfielder won the ball and scored with a good shot from 20 yards leaving the half time score 1-0 for Magherafelt.

At the start of the second half Stranocum pushed forward and after five minutes they were level.

Mark McConaghie scored from close range to make it 1-1 after the Magherafelt keeper had allowed the ball to slip through his hands. Play was then end to end with both teams attacking and creating chances. In midfield Danny Laverty, Owen Farrell, Luke Elston, Adam Stewart and Joel McCormick were working hard and it was Stranocum who took the lead when Paul Reid volleyed home a cross from Eoin Dobbin to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes left.

In the last quarter there were chances at either end. Andrew McGregor, the Stranocum keeper, made a couple of good saves to deny Magherafelt. With time running out, the home team were holding on and in the final minute Magherafelt had a goal disallowed for offside, leaving the final score 2-1.

Team: Andrew McGregor, Ryan McLaughlin, Craig Cunningham, Adam Jamison, Owen McLaughlin, Danny Laverty, Owen Farrell, Eoin Dobbin, Luke Elston, Mark McConaghie, Paul Reid, Joel McCormick, Adam Stewart, Jack Neill, Conor Deery