Untitled

Lurgan Celtic 2 Wakehurst 2 Saturday 17th December 2016

This was the last match before the Christmas break and it turned out to be a 'cracker'.

Lurgan are one of the top teams in the league,and showed why,when they opened the scoring after 15 minutes, when the Wakehurst wing-back didn't track back with his player. Wakehurst were unlucky shortly after, when from 2 corners,firstly Aaron Campbell hit the Lurgan bar and the Lurgan keeper then pulled off a great save from a Stevenson header.

Celtic went 2 goals up with 10 minutes of the half remaining following a defensive mix-up in the Wakehurst penalty box and that looked like game over. However Wakehurst always looked dangerous and from another well taken corner from David Leetch, Ronan Laverty rose above the defence to head into the net. Half time 1-2

Wakehurst,buoyed after this,really took the game by the scruff of the neck,and were unlucky when firstly Jacob Penny outpaced his marker but saw the Lurgan make a good save and then Jamie Stevenson saw his half volley from 25 yards tipped over by the Lurgan keeper. The 'Hurst' kept up the pressure and soon after found the net,again from a corner,when this time Stevenson powered his header past the keeper. The last 15 minutes was really end to end but Wakehurst's defence stood up to any questions being asked of them.

A great display coming from 2 goals down against a strong,physical Celtic side. Full time 2-2

Man of the Match: Jamie Stevenson

Panel: D Thompson, D Leetch, B Millar, A Shaw, D Dobbin, A Campbell, R Laverty, J Stevenson, J Penny, T Barr, M Cochrane, J O'Loughlin J Houston, J Smyth

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

Ballyclare Comrades 2 Wakehurst 0 Saturday 10th December 2016

Another frustrating day for Wakehurst,in a game of missed chances and another highly debatable penalty, saw them come away the losing side against rivals Ballyclare Comrades.

In an even first half, with Ballyclare starting the stronger without creating many chances,Wakehurst played themselves into the match and could have gone into the break a goal up,when David Leetch beat two men but saw his shot go narrowly wide of the post. Half time 0-0

Chances were hard to come by for both teams early second half,but with 20 minutes remaining the game changed when Ballyclare were awarded a penalty for what looked like a case of both players holding each other. This spurred the home team,and they added another after a mix up in the Wakehurst defence. A chance to pull one back at the end was missed,when Leetch put his penalty passed the post. Full time 2-0

Man of the Match: Brandon Millar- Tough tackling at its best

Panel: J Stevenson, J Houston, B Millar, D Dobbin, A Shaw, R Laverty, J Fleming, D Leetch, A Campbell, M Cochrane, T Barr, C Neeson, J O' Loughlin

Wakehurst 1 Newry City 3 Saturday 3rd December 2016

Wakehurst started the match confidently,playing some nice football without creating any clear cut chances. Newry were causing problems on the break with lots of pace in midfield and up front. 25 minutes in, Newry used their pace to break away and open the scoring. Half time - 0-1

Wakehurst pressed at the start of the second half,creating a couple of good chances and the pressure finally paid off,when after some good work by Tyler Barr, Jamie Stevenson scored with a crisp drive. Newry went in front, frustratingly for the home side, through a very debatable penalty and,on the break again, scored a third in the dying minutes.

A frustrating game for Wakehurst,who matched their opponents who are 3rd in the table. Full time 1-3

On a brighter note it was great to see Aaron Campbell back playing again after a double arm break.

Panel- C Brennan, J Houston, B Millar, D Dobbin, A Shaw, R Laverty, J Fleming, J Penny, D Leetch, J Stevenson, T Barr, M Cochrane, C Neeson, J O'Loughlin, A Campbell

St Oliver Plunketts 4 Wakehurst 1 Saturday 19th November 2016

Wakehurst were in NIBFA cup action this week,coming up against national league table toppers St.Oliver Plunketts.

Wakehurst started the match on the front foot,taking the game to the hosts and opened the scoring 15 minutes in,when David Leetch ran on to a Mark Cochrane through ball to score with a great finish from 18 yards. Plunketts started to press more after this and scored two good goals in quick succession. A goal right on half time made it 3 at the interval. Half time 3-1

The second half was an even affair with both teams playing some nice football but Plunketts strength told near the end,when they scored another to take the shine off a good battling performance by the Hurst. Full time 4-1

Man of the Match: Ronan Laverty

Panel: C Brennan, J Penny, J Smyth, D Dobbin, R Laverty, J McLarnon, J Stevenson, D Leetch, J Fleming, J O'Loughlin, Mark Cochrane, T Barr, C Neeson

Wakehurst 0 Lisburn Distillery 1 Saturday 12th November 2016

Wakehurst came up against table toppers and unbeaten Distillery on Saturday and were disappointed not to come away with at least a draw.

In a very even game,chances fell to both sides in the first half,but it was Distillery who got the all important goal 20 minutes in. With Sparky Cochrane and Jacob Penny stretching the Lisburn defence it was still all to play for at this point. Half time 0-1

Wakehurst came out in the second half and really took the game to the league leaders, Jamie Stevenson, Ronan Laverty and James McClarnon were winning the midfield battle and driving Wakehurst forward. Distillery were still causing problems but Wakehurst's back four of Dobbin, Shaw, Leetch and Houston were on top form. In the final quarter of the half Wakehurst had chances to equalise but through some good goal keeping Distillery held on for the win.

A really good performance by the 'Hurst' and a confidence booster ahead of next weeks NIBFA cup game. Full time 0-1

Man of the Match: Team Performance

Panel: C Brennan, J Houston, D Leetch, D Dobbin, A Shaw, J McClarnon, R Laverty, J Stevenson, J Penny, M Cochrane, J O 'Loughlin, T Barr, J Fleming, C Neeson

Dromara 1 Wakehurst 4 Saturday 5th November 2016

Wakehurst were looking to avenge an opening day defeat by the same opponents.

They took the lead after 15 mins through a fine back post finish from Declan Dobbin. Dictating the play now,Wakehurst increased their lead when Ronan Laverty got his head to a Jamie Stevenson cross,and before half time it was 3,when the ever impressive 'Sparky' Cochrane finished well from another Stevenson cross. Half time 0 - 3

Dromara,who were breaking with pace early in the second half,got one back after 15 minutes,but it didn't stop Wakehurst getting a fourth,when,after great work from Cochrane,Calum Neeson scored with a great left foot shot. In the final 10 minutes Wakehurst were unlucky not to score a couple more,when Jamie Stevenson and James McClarnon both saw efforts come off the post.

An important 3 points for the Hurst following last weeks draw with Craigavon. Full time 1-4

Men of the Match: Mark Cochrane and Jamie Stevenson

Panel: A Shaw, J Penny, J Smyth, D Dobbin, R Laverty, J McClarnon, D Leetch, T Barr, J Fleming J Stevenson, M Cochrane, J O'Loughlin, C Neeson, J Houston