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Wakehurst Youth 3 Wakehurst Strollers 2 #WeChinnedThem Friday 28th February 2014

The U17s found themselves with no match in the National League this week and thus welcomed Andy irwin's Wakehurst Strollers to their Friday night Showgrounds base.

The match started at a frantic pace with the U17s pulling the punches in midfield. Jamie Speirs and Thomas Brady were beginning to stamp their authority on the game against their more senior opponents and in defence Niall Swann and the impressive Kalin McCollum looked comfortable dealing with whatever the Strollers could throw at them.

The U17s took the lead on twenty minutes when after some super hold-up play from Andy Neill, he released a defence splitting pass to Kyle Jackson, who outpaced the Strollers defence to place the ball past Maybin in the Strollers net.

The U17s should have increased their lead on twenty five minutes when Thomas Brady saw his shot come off the Strollers upright following another Andy Neill throughball.

The Strollers came back into the game but found Michael Laverty on top of his game at left-back and he dealt comfortably with a number of Strollers attacks down the left wing.

The U17s weathered this storm and got their just reward for some pass and move play when a Ryan Gault pass found Kyle Jackson on the left wing and his outside of the boot pass found the on-rushing Anthony McAvoy who placed the ball past Maybin in the Strollers nets.

The Strollers didn't know what had hit them at this stage of the match and the livewire Jamie Speirs got the U17s third goal when after some attacking play, he saw his twenty-yard shot hit the roof of the net to give the U17s a 3-0 lead, with five minutes of the half remaining.

The U17s almost stretched their lead to four goals in the last few minutes of the first half when following a free kick into the Strollers penalty box, Kyle Jackson pounced on the loose ball but saw his shot cannon off the Strollers upright. Half time score 3-0

Into the second half and the young U17s surely couldn't keep up the frantic pace of the first half. The Strollers made a few substitutions at the half and it immediately paid dividends at the start of the second half. The U17s found themselves under pressure but Kalin McCollum and Captain Niall Swann found themselves getting the better of the Strollers strikers Quigley and Alexander. However they could do nothing when following a few weak tackles, a Strollers shot was well saved by Aodhan Tolan but the loose ball broke to Quigley who slipped the ball into the corner of the U17s net.

The U17s weathered this early pressure and made a number of their own substitutions with Ross Swan, Lee Scroggie and Cameron Waring all coming on after ten minutes of the half. The U17s came more into the game with Jackson again proving the be thorn in the Strollers central defence of Millar and Crawford.

However the Strollers scored a second goal when Quigley pounced on a defensive mistake and slotted the ball past Aodhan Tolan in the U17s net.

The U17s began to tire towards the end of this match but Jamie Speirs almost scored their fourth goal when from an acute angle his shot crashed against the Strollers crossbar, ten minutes before the end of the game.

The U17s turned in a very professional display to see out the remaining minutes of the match to earn another good win in this highly competitive match. Final score 3-2

This was another top display for the U17s who had regulars James Cameron and Stevie Hare missing from their panel. There were some top displays from Michael Laverty, Kalin McCollum and Kyle Jackson, who was turning in one of his best performances in a Wakehurst jersey.

Panel: A Tolan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, K McCollum, N Swann (c), J Speirs, T Brady, A McAvoy, R Gault, K Jackson, A Neill, C Waring, L Scroggie, R Swan

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Ballymena United 0 Wakehurst 1 Friday 21st February 2014

Wakehurst U17s went into this match against local Irish League rivals Ballymena United full of confidence, following some good results. Although the Wakehurst boys were minus a couple of regulars, they were looking to complete a league double over their more famous neighbours, having beaten them 3-1 in an earlier fixture this season.

Ballymena started the match the brighter team but after ten minutes Wakehurst settled into the match and began to play the better football, taking the match to Ballymena.

The Wakehurst defence of J Hanlon, K McCollum, T Brady and A McAvoy were dealing comfortably with the Ballymena front line as the midfield of J Speirs, J Cameron, C Waring and K Jackson began to link up well with the front men of S Hare and ex-Ballymena striker Andy Neill.

Pushing for a goal Wakehurst finally got their just reward when five minutes before half time Jamie Speirs side stepped a couple of tackles before placing his shot into the corner of the net to give Wakehurst a 1-0 lead at half time. Half time score 1-0

Into the second half and with Niall Swann replacing Cameron Waring, Wakehurst rearranged slightly but weren't going to sit back, and kept taking the match to Ballymena.

Wakehurst made two more changes, with Ross Swan and Ryan Gault replacing Anthony McAvoy and the injured Kyle Jackson, early in the second half.

Throughout the second half, no matter how much Ballymena tried, Aodhan Tolan in the Wakehurst goals had little to do while Stephen Hare and Andy Neill created numerous other chances, without getting their just reward. Full time score 1-0

This was a WELL DONE from the manager to all the Wakehurst players involved as they all had a part to play!

Panel: A Tolan, J Hanlon, A McAvoy, K McCollum, T Brady, J Cameron, J Speirs, C Waring, K Jackson, S Hare, A Neill, R Gault, L Scroggie, R Swan, N Swann

Foyle Harps v Wakehurst - Match Abandoned Friday 7th February 2014

Wakehurst U17s made the long trip to Greysteel on Friday night to play Foyle Harps in a National league match. However heavy rain and gales started shortly after the start of the match and it was only a matter of time before the match would be abandoned in such appalling conditions.

The Ballymena Boys started strongly, playing with the strong wind, with Jamie Speirs and James Cameron dominating the midfield play. New signing, Andy Neill, was causing the Foyle Harps defence all sorts of problems with his aerial play.

However it was Foyle Harps who took the lead after five minutes as Wakehurst conceded a soft goal. Foyle Harps found themselves with an extra man on their right wing and as his shot came into the box it looked like Aodhan Tolan had the ball smothered only for it to creep into the corner of the net.

However it wasn't long before Wakehurst came storming back and after some good play between Jonny Hanlon, Thomas Brady and Stevie Hare, the ball flashed across the face of the Foyle Harps goal with nobody able to get the all important touch.

Wakehurst could have drawn level after fifteen minutes, when Stephen Hare saw an angled shot crash off the Foyle Harps crossbar.

Indeed, as the match wore on, Andy Neill and Stephen Hare were beginning to form a formidable strike partnership for Wakehurst and it was Hare who saw a shot go narrowly past the Foyle upright.

In the move of the match, some great passing play between Anthony McAvoy, James Cameron and Jamie Speirs, saw a Speirs shot head for the top corner of the Foyle Harps net, only to see their keeper pull off a one handed tip over the bar.

As the half wore on the weather continued to deteriorate to what was some of the worse conditions ever experienced in youth football. Half time score 1-0

Into the second half and with Wakehurst defending into the gale-force conditions, the Wakehurst management team expected an avalanche of Foyle pressure. However the opposite was true with the Wakehurst boys showing their true character and taking the game to Foyle.

With Speirs and Cameron playing out of their skins in midfield, Wakehurst began to create a number of openings. Indeed Stevie Hare was finding room in behind the Foyle defence and he saw a shot go narrowly wide of the upright. Ryan Gault and Cameron Waring were finding room down the Wakehurst wings as Wakehurst were dominating the early exchanges in the second half. Lee Scroggie replaced Speirs after ten minutes of the second half as Wakehurst went looking for the all important goal.

Conditions were continuing to deteriorate and after fifteen minutes of the second half, the match was abandoned with the full agreement of both teams.

Panel: A Tolan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, K McCollum, N Swann (c), J Cameron, J Speirs, T Brady, A McAvoy, S Hare, A Neill, R Gault, C Waring, L Scroggie, R Swan

Coleraine 1 Wakehurst 0 Friday 31st January 2014

How the Ballymena Boys didn't progress in this Cup match against Coleraine, we will never know, with no fewer than ten clear attempts on goal. This match was Cup football at its finest with Wakehurst dominating the early stages of the match before Coleraine scored a breakaway goal and defended with passion for the entire second half.

As early as the tenth minute, a great throughball from Jamie Speirs left Stephen Hare with a one on one with the Coleraine keeper but his shot cannoned off the inside of the Coleraine post and ran along the goal line before clearing to safety.

On another Wakehurst attempt on goal on fifteen minutes, the Coleraine centre-back's clearance upfield, caught the Wakehurst defence napping and the Coleraine striker's shot hit the back of the net from all off thirty yards. On thirty minutes of the match, Kyle Jackson failed to stab the ball over the goal-line when a loose ball from a Thomas Brady corner kick broke to him.

The Wakehurst midfield with James Cameron and Jamie Speirs pulling the strings, were dominating the play but the Wakehurst forward line were having an off day, with the Coleraine defence well on top.

Minutes before half tome, the Wakehurst goalkeeper, Aodhan Tolan, was called upon to make a good save. Half time score 0-1

Wakehurst changed their shape at half time with new signing Andy Neill making his debut for the Club and Anthony McAvoy replacing Ross Swan in a reorganised midfield.

Wakehurst soon took control of the game with these changes and Thomas Brady tested the Coleraine keeper with a well stuck shot.

After ten minutes of the half Wakehurst were presented with their best opportunity to draw level, when after some good work from Andy Neill, Stevie Hare found himself clear of the Coleraine defence with only the keeper to beat. However the striker somehow put the ball past the post.

Wakehurst kept up the pressure and when the won a corner kick, Thomas Brady's delivery was met with a downward header that found Jonny Hanlon almost on the Coleraine goal-line but gain he was unable to back-heel the ball over the goal-line.

With Anthony McAvoy and Ryan Gault providing width down the Wakehurst wings, another cross into the box broke to Stephen Hare whose shot struck the post.

Cameron Waring replaced Kalin McCollum as Wakehurst went looking for that all elusive goal and he went on to put in a number of excellent crosses from the Wakehurst left wing. Jamie Speirs went on a penetrating run down the Wakehurst left wing and when he cut inside, he unleashed a rasping shot which the keeper could only parry but nobody was following in and the loose ball was cleared to safety.

Wakehurst were camped in the Coleraine half of the pitch for most of the second half and the next goalscoring opportunity fell to Andy Neill who slipped his marker and hit a stinging shot at the keeper which forced him to make a good save.

With a front three of Speirs, Hare and Neill all buzzing, it wasn't long before the next goalscoring opportunity arrived when Jamie Speirs hit a good shot which the keeper did well to save.

Andy Neill was causing the Coleraine defence all sorts of problems with his aerial play and his presence forced Coleraine to concede a free-kick twenty yards out. Jamie Speirs hit a well struck free-kick from which the Coleraine keeper pulled off a great save.

Wakehurst's next attempt on goal followed another corner kick. This time the ball broke to Stephen Hare on the edge of the Coleraine box and he majestically controlled the ball and shot through a packed penalty box only to see the ball strike the upright and clear to safety, as the keeper watched on.

With Wakehurst going all out for the equaliser, a long clearance from the Coleraine defence found their striker clear of the Wakehurst defence and as Aodhan Tolan came rushing out of nets, the striker lifted the ball over him but Michael Laverty got back to clear the ball to safety.

However with time running out in the game, the Coleraine defence marshalled the Wakehurst strikers to see out the last few minutes of the match to get a result they barely deserved. Final score 0-1

Wakehurst know this match should have been won long before the final whistle but when goal scoring chances are presented they need to be taken, and this was not the case in this match.

Panel: A Tolan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, K McCollum, N Swann (c), J Cameron, J Speirs, T Brady, R Swan, S Hare, K Jackson, A Neill, R Gault, C Waring, A McAvoy, L Scroggie

Wakehurst 3 Limavady United 0 Friday 24th January 2014

Wakehurst U17s welcomed Limavady United to the Showgrounds on Friday night and put last week's disappointing performance behind them with a powerful display of passing football in a match they dominated from start to finish.

The match was only five minutes old when Jamie Speirs saw his blockbuster of a shot go inches over the Limavady crossbar. It was all Wakehurst in the opening minutes of the match and James Cameron and Thomas Brady were stamping their authority on the game.

After ten minutes of the match, Wakehurst should have taken the lead when a delightful Speirs throughball left Kyle Jackson with only the keeper to beat but he lifted his shot over the bar.

On twelve minutes Thomas Brady saw the Limavady keeper pull off a great save from his shot that was heading for the top corner of the net.

Niall Swann and Kalin McCollum, in the heart of the Wakehurst defence, were giving the Limavady strikers a torrid time with their powerful display.

On twenty minutes, Kyle Jackson forced the Limavady keeper to make a good save before Stevie Hare picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Limavady penalty box but again saw his shot go inches over the crossbar.

Wakehurst kept pressing forward at every opportunity with Jonny Hanlon and Michael Laverty providing the width down the wings.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Thomas Brady thought he had scored direct from a corner, only to see a defender clear the ball off the line, with the Limavady keeper well beaten. Half time score 0-0

Into the second half and Manager Glenn Speirs was wondering if it was going to one of those nights when the boys dominate a match but come away without their due rewards. Anthony McAvoy and Ross Swan were introduced at half time and what an inspired substitution this proved to be. With hardly five minutes of the half gone, Ross Swan picked up the ball in his own half and slid the ball inside to Speirs. In a great move involving three Wakehurst players, Ross Swan picked up the ball again in the Limavady penalty box before coolly slipping the ball past the Limavady keeper, to give the Ballymena boys a 1-0 lead.

This goal visibly shook the Limavady team and Wakehurst went on to totally dominate the match at this stage. Jamie Speirs saw a free kick force the Limavady keeper to push the ball over the crossbar. From the corner kick, Niall Swann picked up the loose ball and flashed his shot across the face of the goal with nobody able to get a foot to it.

However the second goal didn't take long to come and after fifteen minutes of the half Thomas Brady 's long range shot was only parried by the Limavady keeper and Jamie Speirs followed up to slip the ball past the helpless keeper tand leave the score 2-0.

Jamie Speirs was causing the Limavady defence all sorts of problems in his forward role and he was unlucky to see another shot clip the topside of the Limavady crossbar.

On twenty-five minutes Wakehurst should have further increased their lead but Cameron Waring was slow to react when the ball trickled along the Limavady goal-line, following a cross into the box, before being eventually cleared to safety.

Limavady were not to be outdone and following a series of highballs into the Wakehurst box, keeper Aodhan Tolan was called on to make a good save.

However Wakehurst had the final say in the match when following a great Cameron Waring throughball, Ryan Gault found himself just ahead of the Limavady defence and seeing the Limavady keeper coming off his line, he lifted his shot over the keeper and into an empty net.

Wakehurst gave a disciplined performance for the remainder of the match to record a good 3-0 win. final score 3-0

With the transfer window drawing to a close this incoming week, Wakehurst's Manager Glenn Speirs is looking forward to a busy period as he seeks to strengthen his team for the remainder of the season.

Panel: A Tolan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, K McCollum, N Swann (c), J Cameron, J Speirs, T Brady, R Gault, K Jackson, S Hare, R Swan, A McAvoy, C Waring, L Scroggie

Wakehurst 0 Cliftonville 5 Friday 10th January 2014

Wakehurst U17s fell to their heaviest defeat of the season against Cliftonville at a foggy Showgrounds 3G on Friday night but how the scoreline might have been different but for another poor refereeing decision awarding the Belfast Reds a penalty after thirty minutes of the first half, with Wakehurst looking comfortable until this stage of the match.

The Ballymena team were down to the bare bones for this match, with injury affecting a number of players, but the players on show certainly weren't found wanting in this high profile match.

Wakehurst were equal to Cliftonville from the start of this match, with the first real chance of the game falling to Ryan Gault but unfortunately he delayed his shot and allowed the Reds defender to get in a good tackle. Play swung from end to end with Wakehurst giving as good as they were getting, with Michael Laverty and Jonny Hanlon having good games in the home defence. Jamie Speirs and Thomas Brady were keeping the experienced Cliftonville midfield under wraps with their tireless running. With thirty minutes on the clock, the referee awarded an innocuous looking penalty, when the ball struck the home defender as he closed down a Reds shot. The Cliftonville striker made no mistake to give them a 1-0 lead. This decision clearly rattled the home players and Cliftonville had scored a second goal within minutes, when their striker was given too much time in the Wakehurst penalty box. Cliftonville added a third almost on half time, as their Northern Ireland striker Andy Mooney ran through the home defence and planted the ball wide of Aodhan Tolan, in the Wakehurst nets. Half time score 3-0

Into the second half and Lee Scroggie replaced Waring in midfield for the home team. Wakehurst again started strongly but it wasn't long before they conceded a fourth goal. The game was over as a contest when Cliftonville scored their fifth goal shortly afterwards when a free kick was palmed clear by Aodhan Tolan but the Reds striker was first to react and planted the loose ball into the roof of the net.

However Wakehurst settled down after this and again looked dangerous on the break with Stevie Hare seeing a shot just go wide of the Reds upright.

However a tired looking Wakehurst seen out the rest of the game to leave the final score 5-0

Panel: A Tolan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, K McCollum, N Swann (c), T Brady, J Speirs, R Gault, S Hare, A McAvoy, C Waring, L Scroggie

Coleraine 1 Wakehurst 1 Friday 3rd January 2014

Wakehurst travelled to Coleraine on Friday night to play a much changed Coleraine team and can feel aggrieved they didn't get all the points in this encounter, as they had enough chances to kill off the game in the later stages.

Wakehurst started the match playing against the wind but their fluent passing game saw them take control of the game early on with Jamie Speirs and James Cameron dominating the midfield play. The first chance fell to Thomas Brady who got on the end of a Ryan Gault cross but saw his header go narrowly past the post. Stephen Hare was proving to be a thorn in the Coleraine defence and from a jinxing run, saw his shot force the Coleraine keeper to make a good save.

Coleraine took the lead on fifteen minutes when a long clearance upfield stretched the Wakehurst defence and allowed their striker to control the ball an slip it past the advancing Aodhan Tolan in the Wakehurst nets.

This goal visibly gave Coleraine confidence and for the next fifteen minutes of the match, they were the top team but found the Wakehurst defence of Niall Swann, Kalin McCollum, Jonny Hanlon and Michael Laverty in top form. however Wakehurst weathered the storm and when Stevie Hare sent Kyle Jackson clear of the Coleraine defence with an inch perfect throughball, it looked like Wakehurst would pull level but the Coleraine goalkeeper forced him to go wide, allowing the defender to get back and clear the ball off the goal line. In the final few minutes of the half, Jamie Speirs fired a free kick just past the upright as the Ballymena Boys went looking for an equaliser. Half time score 1-0

Into the second half and with Wakehurst getting the momentum of the breeze, they again started strongly but it was Coleraine who could have extended their lead after five minutes when an excellent ball into the Wakehurst box forced an excellent tackle from Niall Swann to prevent a sure goal.

Aodhan Tolan also pulled off a great finger tip save after ten minutes of the half to keep Wakehurst in the game. However Wakehurst took the reigns in this match after this and Stephen Hare could have scored when he outpaced the Coleraine defence but saw his shot go the wrong side of the upright. Wakehurst kept piling on the pressure and from a Jackson corner, saw the Coleraine defender clear the ball off the goal-line.

It was all Wakehurst at this point in the game and from a Stevie Hare cross, Thomas Brady should have scored but delayed his shot and allowed the Coleraine defender to get in a good tackle.

Just when it was looking like another one of those nights, Anthony McAvoy picked up the ball in midfield, evaded two tackles and unleashed an unstoppable shot from all of thirty yards which flew into the top corner of the Coleraine net. Surely a contender for goal of the season!

The goal visibly gave Wakehurst confidence and they created a number of chances in the remainder of the half but wee unable to make any of them count.

Kyle Jackson saw the keeper pull off a good save from his shot before Stevie Hare turned his marker and outpaced the remainder of the Coleraine defence only to see his shot again go again wide of the upright.

Jamie Speirs, who was having a good game in midfield, played a throughball to Stevie Hare , who ran on and again saw his shot go marginally wide of the upright.

However in the last few minutes of the half Coleraine came more into the game with two free kicks in around the Wakehurst penalty box and it looked like they would make Wakehurst pay for all the missed chances but captain Niall Swann marshalled his defence superbly to see out the remainder of the game. Final score 1-1

With the transfer window now open, Wakehurst are hopeful of adding one or two players to their panel, with a striker being the top priority.

Panel: A Tolan, J Hanlon, M Laverty, K McCollum, N Swann (c), J Cameron, J Speirs, R Gault, T Brady, K Jackson, S Hare, A McAvoy, R Swan, L Scroggie