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Wakehurst 5 Coleraine Olympic 5 Saturday 29th October 2016

Wakehurst's game this week was against a tall and physically strong Coleraine team. However this did not stop Wakehurst from coming out playing some good passing football. After five minutes, the Hurst won a free-kick which Luke Parker floated over the Coleraine defence to find Thomas Mccauley and he neatly finished into the back of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Wakehurst however.seamed to take their foot of the pedal with this early goal and let Coleraine take control of the game and with some unfortunate individual errors, Coleraine took the lead with three goals in a ten minute spell. However, with a reorganisation in midfield, Wakehurst bounced back and Phillip Kyle scored to make it 3-2 with five minutes of the half remaining after a great through ball by Robert McCluney. Half-Time 2-3

Wakehurst came out fighting in the second half and when Conall Gordon played a good throughball to Josh Logan, he made no mistake to level the scores at 3-3. As play flowed from end to end, Coleraine took the lead with yet another long ball over the top that caught the Wakehurst defence napping. Midway through the half, Josh Logan who was having an inspired game, repaid Conall Gordon with an assist when Gordon made it 4-4. Wakehurst were showing a lot of determination at this stage of the game and with five minutes of the match remaining, Josh Logan played a ball across the edge of the Coleraine box which found Colby Barr who scored with a thunderous shot into the top corner of the Coleraine net to make it 5-4.

Unfortunately Wakehurst seemed to think the game was over and Coleraine managed to pull an equaliser with the last kick of the game. Full-Time 5-5

Yet again Wakehurst played some great football and were the better team on the day but with a number of players missing and injured, Manager Brian McCluney can only look forward to getting a full strength panel together to see what this team can achieve.

A big congratulations has to go to Joshua Logan, Thomas McAuley and Robert McCluney who were called up to play for Wakehurst Strollers today by the watching Wakehurst 1st team management.

Both Josh and Thomas got on to play in the second half and did not disappoint the Strollers management, while Robert remained on the bench. This was a big day for these three young boys and shows what can be achieved through hard work on the pitch for the younger age groups

Panel: C Kerr, R Jones, L Parker, T Givens, S Frew, J Logan, P Morrow, C Gordon, C Barr, T McAuley, P Kyle, R McCluney, P O'Rawe

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Ballycastle United 4 Wakehurst 2 Saturday 22nd October 2016

Wakehurst started their NIBFA cup campaign this week against Ballycastle United who are sitting top of the NWCDYL league.

The match got of to a good start for Wakehurst pressing high, and after playing some great passing football Wakehurst found a way past the Ballycastle defense after 15 minutes, a goal mouth scramble was neatly finished by Sam Frew.

Wakehurst start to sit back leaving the defense and goal keeper under immense pressure resulting in a few great tackles form Sam Frew and Luke Parker followed by great blocks and saves by Connor Brennan, Robert McCluney and Robbie Jones.

Wakehurst soon after started to press and we're unlucky not to score again. Wakehurst kept their clean sheet with some brilliant saves from Connor Brennan and his defense until one pass found its way to the Ballycastle player and he put it in the corner. Half time 1-1

Wakehurst started the second half where they left of the first, with some good passing play. However Ballycastle scored a goal after ten minutes when Wakehurst had to take of one of their key defenders due to injury.

Wakehurst did not let their heads drop and continued to press high again. A through ball from Thomas McAuley found its way to Chris Fullerton, who been holding the ball up and feeding the striker well all game, who played on to Philip Kyle who placed it neatly into the back of the net. 2-2

Ballycastle who were a more physical team all game, again took the play to Wakehurst and the Hurst had to make another substitution due to injury. With the team down to the bare bones, Ballycastle took advantage and ran in two late goals to seal their place in the next round of the cup. Full time 4-2

Wakehurst showed that they can compete with the teams at the top of their league by playing good passing football and that still not having a fully fit team yet for any game shows that there is a lot more to give from this young team.

Panel: C. Brennan, R. Jones, R. McCluney, S. Frew, L. Parker, T. Givens, J. Logan, T. McAuley, C. Gordon, C. Fullerton, P. Kyle, C. Kerr, P. Morrow

Wakehurst 2 Ballycastle United 4 Saturday 15th October 2016

Wakehurst opponent this week was league leaders Ballycastle, who has had a magnificent start to this season with an unbeaten start with 13 of a possible 15 points.

Wakehurst started well in the first half and played some good football but with 20 minutes on the clock Ballycastle had opened the scoring. However Wakehurst did not drop their heads and this payed off with 5 minutes to go when Thomas Givens equalised with a left footed volley into the back of the Ballycastle net. Half-Time 1-1

Wakehurst started the second half strong but couldn't prevent Ballycastle from scoring another 2 within the first 20 minutes of the second half. Wakehurst kept fighting but fitness was the problem. A few questionable referee decisions led to a 4th for Ballycastle however this only encouraged wakehurst to keep fighting for another goal and this came when a Ballycastle defender deliberately used inside inside the box led to a penalty which Thomas Mccauley finished into the bottom right corner. Full-Time 2-4

There are plenty of positives to take out of this defeat.

Panel: L.Shingleton, R.Jones, S.Frew, S.Lecky, L.Parker, J.Logan, T.Givens, C.Gordon, R.McCluney, T.McAuley, C.Fullerton, C.Barr, J.Kirkwood, P.Kyle

Roe Valley 6 Wakehurst 1 Saturday 1st October 2016

Wakehurst 4th game of this season was against a strong Roe Valley side. Injuries meant the Hurst were down the bare bones with key players Frew and McAuley missing.

However Wakehurst started on the front foot and opened the scoring with a goal when Chris Fullerton squared it to Phillip Kyle who finished into the top left corner. Five minutes into the game Roe Valley managed to equalise with a good finish into the back of the net. The opposition didn't stop there as they scored another one midway through the half. Wakehurst managed to see it through until half time. Half-Time 3-1

Wakehurst started the second half strongly and had plenty of good chances to score but poor finishing let them down. Roe Valley got the killer 4th goal however with 15 minutes left on the clock. The Roesiders then went on to run in a further 2 goals in the last few minutes of the match, leaving the score 6-1 at full time. Full-Time 6-1

Panel: C.Kerr, R.Jones, J.Kirkwood, S.Lecky (c), L.Parker, C.Gordon, R.McCluney, P.Kyle, P.Morrow, C.Fullerton T.Givens C.Barr, P.O'Rawe

Moyola Park 5 Wakehurst 2 Monday 26th September 2016

Wakehursts 3rd game of the season was against moyola FC and needed the 3 points from this game. Wakehurst looked strong in the first 10 minutes however conceded to make it 1-0 not long after, the opposition scored a 2nd to make it 2-0. Wakehurst didn't drop the heads however and continued playing good football and creating chances however couldn't find the ball in the back of the net. Moyola scored a 3rd on the counter attack to make it 3-0 just before the break. Half-Time 3-0

Wakehurst came out in the second half with a defensive state of mind however could not prevent moyola from scoring another 2 goals within the first 10 minutes of the second half. Wakehurst however did not give up and continued to fight for a well deserved goal, hitting the cross bar twice, however, wakehursts determination to find a goal finally paid off when Thomas McAuley played through Robert McCluney who finished into the bottom right corner, 5-1. Wakehurst wasn't finished there however as Robert McCluney returned the favour to Thomas McAuley when his shot was parried on to thomas' weak foot who neatly finished into the back of the net. Final score 5-2

Panel: C.Brennan, R.Jones, S.Frew, R.Mccluney, S.Lecky, T.Givens, P.Kyle, J.Logan, C.Gordon, C.Fullerton, T.Mccauley, P.Morrow, C.Kerr, L.Shingleton

Limavady United 4 Wakehurst 1 Saturday 17th September 2016

Wakehurst's second game of the season was against Limavady which is a tough fixture for the team but nevertheless came out fighting once again. Wakehurst played for a win this game but with 10 minutes played the opposition opened the scoring with a neatly finished shot into the top left corner. Limavady had the momentum and went on to score another 10 minutes later. Wakehurst were playing some incredible football and had plenty of chances but unfortunately the luck wasn't going our way. However, a fantastic ball from Conall Gordon found its way through to Thomas Mccauley who fired the ball into the bottom left corner. Wakehurst kept fighting until the end of the first half but unfortunately the ball couldn't find its way into the back of the net. Half Time Score: 2-1

Wakehurst came out in the second half on the same level they came in and continued to fight for an equilizer while playing some amazing football with attempts from Robert Mccluney and Thomas Givens both hitting the crossbar. However, as nothing was going Wakehurst's way frustration levels were rising as limavady hit the counter attack to score a 3rd. The players didn't give up, however, an outstanding effort from an opposition player found its way into the back of the net to make it 4 in the closing 5 minutes the game was certainly over. Full Time: 4-1

Panel: L Shingleton, R Jones, L Parker, S Lecky, S Frew, R McCluney, J Logan, C Gordon, C Fullerton, T McAuley, T Givens, P Morrow, C Kerr, P Kyle

Wakehurst 1 Draperstown Celtic 3 Saturday 10th September 2016

Draperstown Celtic was Wakehurst's first game of the season after the summer break and all the players were fighting for an early 3 points on the table.

Wakehurst played extremely well in the first half with everyone looking sharp and eager to get a touch of the ball, the whole team had a great start to the game and looked like a new team with the football they were playing, the attacks looked stronger and the passing was pin point accurate. However, 25 minutes into the first half an opposition player made a great run into the edge of the box and fired the shot into the bottom left corner. Although Wakehurst did not drop the heads and continued fighting until the end of the first half. Half Time Score 1-0

In the second half of the game the opposition team were eager to get a second goal and was putting the pressure on our defence however a good clearance from the back line found its way towards Chris Fullerton who neatly passed it through to Thomas Mccauley who done extremely well to slot the ball in the back of the net, 1-1. The opposition were not finished yet however as they continued to fight for the win scoring 2 more goals to make it 3-1. FInal Score 3-1

Wakehurst has learned plenty from this game and will continue fighting through the season. Special congratulations goes to Thomas Givens, Joshua Logan and Luke Shingleton who all made debuts this game.

Panel: L Shingleton, R Jones, L Parker, S Lecky, S Frew, R McCluney, J Logan, C Gordon, C Fullerton, T McAuley, T Givens, P Kyle, P Morrow, C Kerr