Untitled

Newry City 5 Wakehurst 2 Monday 18th April 2016

This was the final game for Wakehurst U16 for the season and again they competed well against a strong and physical Newry side. Newry took the lead against the run of play, but it wasn't long before James O'Loughlin had 'Hurst' level with a good finish at the back post. Newry hit Wakehurst with two quick goals to give them the advantage going into the second half. Half time 3-1

With Wakehurst having no regular goalkeeper now for a couple of months and school exams playing their part, they sometimes are understrength, but the players to their credit never give up and again didn't in this match, when Matthew Kirk brought them back into the match with an acrobatic lob from an acute angle. With the score at 3-2, Newry scored another two goals in quick succession, before Wakehurst had a chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot, only for Jamie Houston to see the keeper make a great save. All in all a really encouraging end to the season, and one in which every single player played their part. Final score 5-2

Panel: A Shaw, B Millar, D Dobbin, J Houston, J Penny, R Laverty, A Campbell, J O'Loughlin, J Fleming, T Barr, M Erwin, M Kirk

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Wakehurst 1 Hillsborough 1 Monday 11th April 2016

Wakehurst continued their recent good form with a well deserved point away to Hillsborough on Monday night.

With not many chances created by either team in the first half, this was still a very exciting game, played with real determination and some hard tackling. Half time 0-0

In a real tight contest and with Wakehurst's back four of Shaw, Dobbin, Penny and Millar outstanding, it was disappointing when Hillsborough took the lead through a very fortunate free kick. With real drive, Wakehurst fought hard for an equaliser, with O'Loughlin and Fleming starting to influence the wide areas and Campbell and McGarvey working tirelessly in the middle. With 15 minutes remaining Wakehurst got what they deserved when James O'Loughlin beat his man and sent over a cross to the back post, where McCluney was waiting to tap in. It really pushed the boys from Ballymena on and they could have snatched a winner but for some good goalkeeping from a Tyler Barr shot on the turn. Full time 1-1

Another good point though for the16s after collecting 3 on Saturday.

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: J Stevenson, J Penny, B Millar, A Shaw, D Dobbin, J O'Loughlin, J Fleming, A Campbell, B McGarvey, T Barr, J Houston, R McCluney

Ballybot Celtic 2 Wakehurst 3 Saturday 9th April 2016

Wakehurst moved above Ballybot in the table with this win ,in a game they dominated but had to fight hard for in the end.

Wakehurst started the brighter side with Houston, Cochrane and Barr linking up well and being driven forward by Fleming and Laverty in midfield.

With opportunities being created it was no surprise when Wakehurst opened the scoring after 15 minutes, when Jamie Houston held off two defenders and fired into the bottom corner. Wakehurst keep up the pressure and increased their lead, Houston again beating the keeper with another lovely finish.

Wakehurst could have extended their lead with Tyler Barr hitting the woodwork and the Ballybot keeper making some important saves but on the stroke of halftime Ballybot got back in the game from the penalty spot. Half time 1-2

This gave the home side a boost and within 15 minutes of the second half it was all level. Wakehurst though keep pressing, with Barr again very unlucky when another shot rebounded off the woodwork. At the other end Stevenson in the Wakehurst goal pulled of a great save to keep the score at 2-2. Then with 15 minutes left Jason Fleming picked the ball up 30 yards out, beat his man and from the edge of the box, bent the ball into the net with the outside of his right foot. Full time 2-3

This was an important win for Wakehurst in game where they should have won by more but showed great character in the end.

Man of the Match: Tyler Barr

Panel: J Stevenson, B Millar, A Campbell, A Shaw, J Penny, R Laverty, J Fleming, T Barr, M Cochrane, J O'Loughlin, J Houston, J Smyth, D McCalmont, M Erwin, M Kirk

Lurgan Celtic 3 Wakehurst 0 Monday 4th April 2016

Wakehurst travelled to Lisburn on Monday night for a match against League challengers Lurgan. Celtic, a team who had a good NIBFA Cup run. Wakehurst fell behind to an early goal, when the Celtic striker was given room to plant the ball into the corner of the net.

On a night when wind and driving rain was playing havoc with the conditions the young Wakehurst keeper was unlucky to let a second goal in after twenty minutes.

Wakehurst kept pressing for the remainder of the half but got nothing for their efforts. Half time 2-0

Into the second half and Wakehurst took the game to Lurgan from the off. Anthony Shaw and Aaron Campbell were on top of their game and dealt comfortably with whatever Lurgan could throw at them. As the game flowed from end to end, a great run down the Wakehurst right wing by James O'Loughlin and his cross should have been headed home by Jamie Houston but the Lurgan keeper made a good save,

Lurgan scored their third goal minutes before the end of the match, to take the shine off a competent Wakehurst display. Full Time 3-0

Panel: R Laverty, A Campbell, A Shaw, J Smyth, J Fleming, M Cochrane, J O'Loughlin, T Barr, J Houston, M Erwin, M Kirk

Wakehurst 0 Ballyclare Colts 1 Saturday 12th March 2016

Wakehurst went into this encounter minus the services of their goalkeeper, Aaron Montgomery, due to a broken finger. With the Ballymena boys winning the corresponding fixture 1-0 four weeks ago, Ballyclare, featuring a number of Ballymena based players, were out for revenge. The match was a dull affair in the opening half with both sets of defences cancelling out any striking options of the other team. Half time 0-0

Into the second half and new signing Jamie Houston was beginning to cause the Ballyclare defence all sorts of problems with his darting play. As play began to get bogged down in midfield, it was Ballyclare who took all three points in a scrappy encounter with a goal midway through the second half, beating stand-in keeper Anthony Shaw. Final score 0-1

Panel: A Shaw, J Penny, B Millar, D Dobbin, A Campbell, J McLarnon, J Fleming, T Barr, R Laverty J O'Loughlin, J Houston, B McGarvey, M Erwin

Wakehurst 1 Lisburn Distillery 3 Saturday 20th February 2016

With Wakehurst travelling to the league leaders and missing a few regulars not many people would have expected such a tight game. In a very close first half, and with both teams playing some nice football, it was Distillery who created the first chance, bringing an outstanding save from the returning Aaron Montgomery in goal. With Wakehurst's defence of Shaw, Campbell, Penny and Millar excelling it was the away side who opened the scoring when Matthew Kirk smashed in from a Campbell free kick. Half Time 1-0

The second half was 100% commitment from both teams and Distillery got back on level terms midway through the half from a corner. Wakehurst's hopes of a surprise were dashed 9 minutes from full time, after a real crunching tackle from Brandon Millar fell luckily to a Distillery forward, who made no mistake with the finish. Another goal from a corner made it 3-1 to the home team and take the shine off a really good performance, from an ever improving Wakehurst team. Full time 1-3

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: A Montgomery, J Penny, B Millar, A Shaw, A Campbell, B McGarvey, J Fleming, J O'Loughlin, T Barr, D McCalmont, M Kirk, M Erwin

Ballyclare Colts 0 Wakehurst 1 Saturday13th February 2016

Wakehurst came away with all 3 points in this closely fought 'Derby' match on Saturday morning. Ballyclare started the match the stronger, but only tested the impressive stand in keeper Anthony Shaw from distance. As the half progressed, Wakehurst were growing in confidence, passing the ball about a lot better and creating a few half chances themselves. Half-time 0-0

It was a real midfield battle early second half, with Laverty, O'Loughlin and McLarnon starting to get the upper hand. When Ballyclare did break through they found themselves up against a very resolute defence, particularly Declan Dobbin and Brandon Millar who have been outstanding in recent weeks. Both teams were going for the win and with 10 minutes left Wakehurst got the winner, when Ronan Laverty picked up the ball in the opposing half, beat 2 players and hit an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner of the Ballyclare net. Despite late pressure Wakehurst held on for a great win to close the gap on the teams above them. This was a super win for 'The Hurst', showing a real team spirit and togetherness. Final score 0-1

Men of the Match: Declan Dobbin and Brandon Millar

Panel: A Shaw, B McGarvey, B Millar, D Dobbin, A Campbell, R Laverty, J McLarnon, J O'Loughlin, T Barr, J Fleming, M Erwin, A Montgomery, M Kirk