HUGHES INSURANCE FOYLE CUP Mon 21st to Fri 25th July 2014
UNDER 10s
Northend United's U10 (2004) squad entered the 2014 Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup which ran from Monday 21st until Friday 25th July. This age group had 48 entries with teams being placed into one of 8 mini-leagues. The first three days of the competition saw the boys play 5 league games, with the top placed team from each group qualifying for the cup, the second placed team going through to the Plate competition and so on.
The Northend boys were drawn against East Donegal Schoolboys, St Oliver Plunkett Colts, Clonmany Shamrocks, Culmore and Bertie Peacocks. The weather forecast for the week had been for wall to wall sunshine and with temperatures in the mid-twenties, it was clear this small squad of only nine players would need to rotate for each game and make full use of the rolling substitutes rule.
Northend United 3 East Donegal Schoolboys 0
Day 1: Match 1 - The young squad were full of excitement ahead of their opening game with East Donegal Schoolboys, but quickly got into their stride with an opening goal from Matthew Carson after three minutes. Curtis Wilson made a good early save and set the benchmark for a number of outstanding displays during the week. Mark Mundell smashed an effort off the cross bar after six minutes and it was clear that any nerves had been left behind on the team mini-bus. Half-time 1-0.
The boys started the second half brightly and Mark Mundell notched Northend's second after two minutes. Owen Campbell saw a great shot roll agonisingly across the goal line on twelve minutes before Matthew Carson fired home a third for the Ballymena boys and secured three points from the opening fixture. Full time 3-0.
Northend United 3 St Oliver Plunketts 2
Day 1: Match 2 - With only a fifteen minute break between their opening two fixtures the boys had to re-hydrate and cool down as much as possible before their next game against a physically strong St Oliver Plunketts. The 'wee blues' once again started quickly and opened the scoring with a strike from Lewis Hector. There was little to choose between either side and Plunketts were fortunate to see two long range 'wonder' strikes soar high into the Northend goal. Half-time 1-2.
Kevin Cosgrove brought fresh legs into midfield for the second half and the Ballymena boys stamped their authority on the game. Mark Mundell fired home a twenty yard free kick to bring the score level, before Kevin Cosgrove strode onto a breaking ball at the edge of the box and fired the winner into the bottom right hand corner. Full-time 3-2.
Day 2: The early part of Day 2 saw the boys join the huge parade of teams across the Peace Bridge and walk around the City before gathering for the Mayor's speech at the Guild Hall. Each of them enjoyed the support from the large crowd and the opportunity to try and sneak into the background of the TV camera's coverage.
Northend United 5 Clonmany Shamrocks 3
Match 3: This game turned out to be an absolute cracker with both teams keen to secure the prized three points. Clonmany found themselves two goals up after only two minutes when the Northend boys were a little slow to start. The response was however breath-taking with three goals in four minutes putting the Ballymena side back in the driving seat. Clonmany responded immediately with an equaliser before Matthew Carson edged the 'wee blues' ahead before the break. Half-time 4-3.
The second half saw strong defensive display from David Magill and Kevin Cosgrove, with both boys being a match for the nippy Clonmany striker. Jack Adams saw a half-volley go narrowly over the bar before Mark Mundell scored his third of the game at the mid-point of the half. Lewis Harrison added some steel to the Northend midfield and although no further goals were scored, the 'wee blues' were in full control of the play.
Northend United 13 Culmore 0
Day 3: The final day of group matches saw the Northend squad with a maximum nine points from three games, but sitting second in the table behind Bertie Peacocks on goal difference.
Match 4: Northend's next opponents were Culmore and the boys knew that nothing less than a win would be enough to keep them in contention for a place in the Cup competition. Early strikes from Mark Mundell and Owen Campbell saw the boys dominate the game from start to finish and the young Culmore side deserved great credit for their battling performance. Full-time 13-0. Scorers Mark Mundell (5) - Owen Campbell, Lewis Hector and Matthew Carson (2) - Lewis Harrison and Jack Adams (1).
Northend United 1 Bertie Peacocks 4
Match 5: The final round off group games pitched Northend (who were now top of the table on goal difference following the win against Culmore) against Bertie Peacocks. Both teams were unbeaten and neither looked in the mood to concede any ground. The game was played at an unbelievable pace given the soaring temperature and it was the Wee Blues who broke the deadlock with a strike from Matthew Carson. Two questionable free kicks saw Bertie's pull themselves back into the game, although the most curious decision of all was when the referee disallowed a second Northend goal when a Bertie's defender collided with his own keeper. Half-time 1-2.
Neither team concede and inch in this highly competitive group decider and it took a further 'soft' free-kick and a goal-mouth scramble to give Bertie's the edge. Full-time 1-4.
This result placed Bertie's into the Cup competition with Northend United making their way into the Plate.
Northend United 3 Killea Nixon Corner 0
Day 4: Plate Quarter Finals: Northend were drawn against the second placed team from Group G -Killea Nixon Corner. The defensive due of David Magill and Kevin Cosgrove were too strong for their opponents and Curtis Wilson was more than able for anything that came his way. The Wee Blues looked very comfortable in possession and Matthew Carson was again highly impressive in a central midfield roll. The opening gaols came on six minutes when Jack Adams mad a good run to the back post and headed home a deep cross-field ball form Lewis Harrison. Half-time 1-0.
Several further chances came Northend's way, although it took until the twelfth minute of the second half before Owen Campbell put the game beyond doubt with a cool side- foot finish from a Matthew Carson cross. A Killea defender scored an O.G when under pressure from David Magill at a Northend Corner and the Ballymena boys marched onto the Semi-finals. Full-time 3-0
Northend United 0 Sion Swifts 2
Plate Semi-final: Sion Swifts were the Ballymena side's opponents in the Plate Semi-final and this again proved to be a fantastic game of football from such young players. It was Sion who edged in front on four minutes with every tackle and loose ball being battled for fairly by both sides. Curtis Wilson produced a fine save before the break but there was so little to choose between either side. Half-time 0-1.
The second half was again played at a fast pace, with exceptional skill and energy on show from both sides. Northend came agonisingly close to grabbing an equaliser at the mid-point of the half when Lewis Hector steered a Lewis Harrison cross goal-ward. The young striker was unlucky to see his effort hit the post and rebound to safety. With only a minute remaining, Sion took a quick throw in and capitalised with the decisive second goal. Full-time 0-2.
Day 5: The previous day's semi-final was a truly memorable game, played in a great spirit between two excellent young teams. It was of little surprise that Sion went on to win the Plate at a canter against Tristar 3-0. The Foyle Cup also saw Northend's only other victor - Berties Peacocks - reach the Cup Final but loose out to a strong Glentoran side.
Northend United 3 Dungannon United 2
3rd/4th Play-off: For Northend United U10's the final game of the 2014 tournament was a 3rd/4th place Plate game against Dungannon United. The coaches simply asked the boys to go out and enjoy themselves and they did exactly just that with some breath-taking football. Dungannon were no slouches either and this proved to be a highly competitive game played a fast pace. It was Northend who took the lead after three minutes when a strong Lewis Harrison run saw the midfielder fire a low drive past the keeper. The Wee Blues were good value for their lead although it was clear that the Dungannon boys had a real quality in their play and every Northend player had a huge part to play in taking a slender lead into the break. Half-time 1-0.
Despite another punishing day of sunshine and high temperatures, the boys dug deep into whatever energy they had left to notch a second. This came from the penalty spot when a Dungannon player handled a free kick on the goal line and Mark Mundell scored his eleventh of the week. With Dungannon reduced to 6 men the Northend boys went in search of a killer third only to concede a long range effort against the run of play. The two goal cushion was restored three minutes later when Matthew Carson worked a neat short corner and curled a beauty into the far left hand corner. Dungannon again dug deep and showed tremendous quality by pulling a further goal back. However the Northend boys were just that little bit stronger overall and deservedly scooped third place in the Plate and 11th out of 48 in the overall Competition.
In summary, this was a tremendous performance by the U10 squad. Each of the boys developed further over the week, playing against top-class opposition from across Ireland and enjoying an experience that will stay with them for a very long time. Every one of you deserves great credit boys - your parents and coaches are very proud of you all. Very, very Well done!!!
Panel : Curtis Wilson, Kevin Cosgrove, David Magill, Jack Adams, Owen Campbell, Lewis Hector, Matthew Carson, Mark Mundell and Lewis Harrison
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