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Wakehurst 3 Ballymena United 1 Friday 25th October 2013

This was the match the Wakehurst boys were looking forward to, having been cancelled a few weeks previous due to issues within the Ballymena team.

However it was Ballymena United who started the strongest in this match with the breeze at their backs. However they found the Wakehurst defence of Hanlon, Swann and McCollum in top form, a feature of recent matches. Indeed any high balls into the Wakehurst box were dealt with comfortably by Wakehurst goalkeeper Aodhan Tolan, making his debut for the local boys on the night.

Although dominating the early exchanges in midfield, Ballymena never looked like scoring until the main movement of controversy in this match. On twenty-five minutes, another high ball into the Wakehurst box was punched clear by the goalkeeper in a challenge with a Ballymena striker, only for the Ballymena striker to go theatrically to the ground and earn his side an embarrassing penalty decision, which they duly scored.

However this poor decision only seemed to galvanise the Wakehurst team and the injustice was soon put right. For the next ten minutes they took control of the game and in the first real passing move of the first half, Jamie Speirs and Stephen Hare combined to released Kyle Jackson down the Wakehurst right wing, but Jackson saw the Ballymena keeper pull off a great save to keep the scores level.

However The Wakehurst boys pulled level minutes before half time, when from a corner kick, Ballymena only partially cleared the ball and when the ball broke to James Cameron, his well struck shot was parried by the keeper and Wakehurst Captain Niall Swann was on hand to slot the ball into the net to leave the scores level going into half time. Half time score 1-1.

If Ballymena had the upper hand in the first half, it was the local boys Wakehurst who had the upper hand in the second half. A reorganisation at half time lead to Michael Laverty being introduced for McAvoy and this had an immediate affect of shoring up the Wakehurst left hand side.

In this half, Speirs, Cameron, Etherson and Gault were in dominant form in the important midfield area for Wakehurst, eclipsing their Ballymena counterparts. Wakehurst took the lead midway through the half, when a Jamie Speirs well struck high shot found the top corner of the Wakehurst net. Indeed Speirs like so many of his colleagues was inspirational on the night.

Ross Swan and Cameron Waring were introduced to the match to replace tiring legs, with Ryan Gault reverting to a centre forward role in the last fifteen minutes of the match.

With Wakehurst 2-1 ahead, Ballymena tried to get back in the game but found Hanlon, Swann, McCollum and Laverty unwilling to give anything away.

With six minutes of the match remaining, Wakehurst finished the game off from another corner kick. This time Niall Swann saw his header cleared off the Ballymena goal line before Ryan Gault performed a trademark bicycle kick to plant the ball into the back of the Ballymena net and leave the score 3-1 to the local Wakehurst boys.

Wakehurst saw out the remaining minutes of the half to earn themselves another valuable three points in this highly competitive league. Final Score 3-1

Panel: A Tolan, R Sloan, J Hanlon, N Swann, R Swan, K McCollum, J Cameron, J Speirs, B Etherson , A McAvoy, R Gault, K Jackson, S Hare, R Swan, C Waring, S Hare, J Nixon, M Laverty

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Wakehurst 5 Coleraine 0 Friday 18th October 2013

Wakehurst U17s turned in one of their best performances of the season with a five star display over Irish League youth side Coleraine, at the Showgrounds 3G on Friday night. Wakehurst dominated this match from start to finish and opened the scoring after ten minutes, when a free kick into the Coleraine penalty box was controlled by Kyle Jackson who slipped the ball past the keeper to give the Ballymena boys a 1-0 lead.

Coleraine were giving as good as they were getting but found the Wakehurst defence of McCollum, Swann and Hanlon in top form and they dealt comfortably with whatever the Coleraine strikers could throw at them.

The central trio of Speirs, Etherson and Cameron were beginning to pull the strings in the midfield and Jackson should have doubled Wakehurst's lead on fifteen minutes when he controlled the ball in the Coleraine box only to shoot straight at the keeper, with the goal at his mercy.

On the twenty minute mark, Wakehurst scored their second goal when that man Jackson was again on hand to finish off a good move.

Wakehurst maintained the high tempo of their game and were awarded with a third goal, minutes before half time. Anthony McAvoy chased down what looked like a lost ball and when he delivered his cross inro the Coleraine penalty area, Bryan Etherson was on hand to steer the ball past the Coleraine keeper. Half time score 3-0

Into the second half and Wakehurst carried on where they left off in the first half, taking the game to Coleraine. The Ballymena boys again began to control the midfield and from a n Etherson throughball after five minutes, Stevie Hare should have added to the score but he pulled his shot wide of the post.

Wakehurst eventually added a fourth goal midway through the half when Bryan Etherson controlled a Kyle Jackson cross and steered the ball past the Coleraine keeper.

However Wakehurst weren't finished yet and Stevie Hare, who had worked tirelessly all night, got his just reward when he outpaced the Coleraine defence and aliped the ball past the Coleraine keeper, to leave the score 5-0.

Jack Nixon and Richard Sloan replaced McAvoy and Gault in goals. Nixon began causing the Coleraine defence all sorts of problems with his menacing runs. Ryan Gault finished the match in a striking role for the Ballymena Boys, showing his versatility to the team. Indeed Gaultie could have added to the scoring, minutes before the end of the game, when his header went inches past the post. Final score 5-0

This was a good performance from the boys today and special mention goes to Bryan Etherson, returning to the team for only his second appearance of the season, following an injury.

Panel: R Gault, R Sloan, J Hanlon, K McCollum, N Swann (c), J Cameron, B Etherson, J Speirs, R Swann, A McAvoy, K Jackson, S Hare, J Nixon

Limavady United 2 Wakehurst 1 Friday 11th October 2013

Wakehurst made the long trip to Limavady United on Friday night, well aware they were capable of taking all the points in what was usually an evenly contested match between these two teams.

Wakehurst started the strongest with Jamie Speirs causing the Limavady defence all sorts of problems. Wakehurst should have taken the lead after twelve minutes when a Thomas Brady cross into the Limavady goalmouth was somehow cannoned over the crossbar by Cameron Waring, with the goal at his mercy.

Worse was to follow after eighteen minutes when Speirs was forced to leave the play following a heavy tackle from a Limavady defender which went unchecked by the referee.

Speirs replacement, Ross Swan, was only on the field for ten minutes, when he also should have given Wakehurst the lead but he failed to get on the end of a cross from Stephen Hare, across the face of the Limavady goals.

However Limavady began to take the game to Wakehurst but found Kalin McCollum, in the Wakehurst defence, having an outstanding game, ably assisted by Johnny Hanlon and Michael Laverty.

Limavady took the lead two minutes before half time when a poor clearance from Swan landed at the foot of a Limavady striker who duly smashed the ball past Ryan Gault in the Wakehurst goals. Half time score 1-0

Into the second half and Wakehurst again started the half strongly. Niall Swann and James Cameron were beginning to dominate play in midfield. However, against the run of play, Limavady scored a second goal when their striker scored from an embarrassingly offside position, to give them a two goal cushion.

Such is the spirit in the Wakehurst team that heads didn't drop but with fifteen minutes left in the match, Kalin McCollum saw his well struck free-kick pushed around the post by the Limavady keeper.

Wakehurst pulled a goal back with ten minutes remaining when McCollum struck another rasper of a free-kick which hit the back of the net with the Limavady keeper well beaten.

The Ballymena boys pilled on the pressure in the last ten minutes of the match and following another good run from Stephen Hare, he saw his shot cleared off the goal line, and the ball fell to Jack Nixon who should have scored but delayed his shot and allowed the keeper to smother the eventual shot. Final Score 2-0

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

Wakehurst 0 Maiden City Academy 2 Friday 4th October 2013

Wakehurst travelled to Castledawson to play their home match against Maiden City Academy at Mill Meadow, on Friday night. Maiden City started the brighter team but the back line of Hanlon, Swann, McCollum and Laverty were keeping them at bay, while the midfield of Speirs, Cameron, Brady and McAvoy were battling hard for every ball. Up front, Stevie Hare was causing the Maiden city defence all sorts of problems.

Chances for rather team were at a premium, throughout a lively first half encounter, but with neither keeper being seriously worked, the half time score remained 0-0

Into the second half and with Ross Swan replacing McAvoy and a change in formation, Wakehurst looked a different side than the first half, with Jamie Speirs and James Cameron beginning to dominate the midfield battle.

Wakehurst should have taken the lead after ten minutes of the half, when Speirs found himself with only the keeper to beat, following a good pass from Stevie Hare, but he mistimed his shot, allowing the keeper to make a good save.

Thomas Brady and Ross Swan were working overtime to give the Ballymena boys width on their wings. However a mistimed back-pass from midfield allowed a Maiden City striker to meet the ball, infront of the Wakehurst defence and run on to slip the ball past Ryan Gault in the Wakehurst nets.

Wakehurst began to throw everything they had at the Maiden City defence, with Hare and Jackson both causing problems for their defence. Niall Swann was unlucky to see a goal-bound header from a Brady free kick, saved in below the crossbar by the Maiden City keeper. Wakehurst then replaced Kyle Jackson with Lee Scroggie as they threw men forward to try and get the all elusive goal.

However with minutes of the match remaining, Maiden City added a second goal after a poor pass from a Wakehurst player allowed the Maiden City striker the simplest task of scoring. Full time score 2-0

Wakehurst were below par in the first half but a much improved second half performance left them feeling like they deserved something out of this game. Some good performances from Speirs and Hanlon on his debut but top performance this week goes to Niall Swann for another outstanding defensive display.

Man of the Match: Niall Swann

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

Crusaders 3 Wakehurst 1 Friday 20th September 2013

Wakehurst again travelled to Belfast on Friday night, this time to play Irish league side Crusaders, on their 4G pitch. Not only were the Wakehurst boys playing on the main pitch but the match was again being televised with the Northern Ireland FA Performance Director, Jim Magilton, in the crowd, such is the exposure this team is getting in this highly competitive League.

The game started with Crusaders making their home advantage count and forcing the Wakehurst boys to defend a number of high balls into the Wakehurst box. The defence of Swann, Laverty, Brady and Swan were in top form dealing with the early pressure.

Gradually Wakehurst came more into the game with Speirs and Cameron prominent in midfield. Wakehurst should have opened the scoring, when a perfectly weighted throughball found Stephen Hare with only the keeper to beat. However the keeper pulled off a great save but the rebound found Hare with an open goal at his mercy but he somehow fired his shot over the bar.

This was a big let-off for the Crues, because five minutes later they took the lead when a ball through the middle found their striker who beat Ryan Gault to the ball and planted the ball into an open net.

Crusaders held the lead for only a few minutes before the Ballymena boys came storming back. After Cameron Waring was fouled thirty yards out, Thomas Brady lofted the ball into the Crusaders box, where Lee Scroggie was quickest to react and drove the ball past the advancing Crusaders keeper to level the score at 1-1

The score remained level until seven minutes before half time when the Crues striker ran on to a throughball but Ryan Gault in the Wakehurst net make a good first save but could do nothing when the rebound landed at the foot of the Crues striker to allow him to plant the ball into the empty net.

With minutes of the half remaining, Crusaders got their third goal of the half, when their striker picked up the throughball from an offside position and ran on and planted the ball into the bottom corner of the Wakehurst net, much to the dismay of the Wakehurst bench. Half time score 3-1

The Ballymena boys came out with all guns blazing in the second half with Speirs and Cameron again playing some good football in the midfield. The Wakehurst central defence of Brady and Swann were on top of their game, giving nothing to the Crusaders strikers, with Gault behind them in goals looking very assured with the Crues highballs into the Wakehurst penalty box.

As play flowed from end to end, Jack Nixon and Anthony McAvoy were introduced to the game as the big pitch began to take its toll on tiring legs.

However no team could really stamp their authority on the game, throughout the second half, and the final score remained 3-1

Man of the Match: Niall Swann

Panel: R Gault, R Sloan, M Laverty, N Swann, R Swan, T Brady, J Cameron, J Speirs, K Jackson, C Waring, S Hare, L Scroggie, J Nixon, A McAvoy

Wakehurst 3 Glentoran 2 Friday 13th September 2013

Wakehurst went into this match determined to put in a better performance than the last time the two teams met having learned from the mistakes of the first match.

Depleted by injuries, Wakehurst were only able to field one outfield sub but the lads who took to the field were ready for the challenge.

The match began at a hectic pace with both sides limiting each other to half chances but midway through the first half Glentoran took the lead.

Wakehurst gathered themselves up and took the game to Glentoran and got their equaliser when Stephen Hare headed home, giving the Glens keeper no chance. Nearing the end of the first half Glentoran again took the lead , although Wakehurst keeper, Ryan Gault made a great save , the player following in blasted his shot into the top corner of the net. Half time score 2-1

into the second half wakehurst knew they had to push for an equaliser, sometimes leaving their defenders isolated, but Niall Swann and Kalin McCollum were having inspired games at the heart of the Wakehurst defence. With time running out Wakehurst made a tactical adjustment and with ten minutes remaining, up popped Ross Swan at the near post to nod the ball into the net to level the score at 2-2 .

Wakehurst kept pushing and with five minutes to go the tireless Stephen Hare ran on to a through ball to slip it past the Glens keeper and give Wakehurst their first win of the season, a win their hard work deserved. Full time score 3-2

Men of the Match: Stephen Hare, Niall Swann, James Cameron, Kalin McCollum

Panel: R Gault, R Sloan, N Swann (c), R Swan, K McCollum, T Brady, J Cameron, J Speirs, K Jackson, C Waring, S Hare, J Nixon, L Scroggie

Cookstown 2 Wakehurst 1 Friday 6th September 2013

Wakehurst travelled to the Mid Ulster Sports Arena to play Cookstown Youth in a National League match. The Ballymena Boys were slow to start and conceded a goal on ten minutes when the Cookstown striker placed the ball in the corner of the Wakehurst net, giving Ryan Gault no chance.

Gradually Wakehurst began to claw their way back into the game and Niall Swann could have drawn them level when he got on the end of a Kyle Jackson corner, only to see his header go inches over the crossbar. This chance lifted Wakehurst and minutes later, Kyle Jackson was unlucky when he saw a good shot well saved by the Cookstown keeper.

Niall Swann was having a good game in the heart of Wakehurst's defence and James Cameron was finding room down the Wakehurst right wing with his surging runs from right-back.

In the closing minutes of the first half, Wakehurst forced a series of corners but were unable to score, to leave the half time score 1-0

The second half started with the influential Jamie Speirs stamping his authority on the game and from his defence splitting pass, Stevie Hare found himself clear of his marker and chipped the ball over the keeper to draw the Ballymena Boys level.

However Cookstown came storming back and Kalin McCollum headed the ball off the Wakehurst goal-line following a high ball into the Wakehurst penalty box.

Cookstown took the lead again shortly afterwards when they scored from a corner, when their player wasn't picked up on the edge of the box and he fired home through a crowed Wakehurst goal-mouth.

With Speirs and Brady getting the upper hand in midfield, Wakehurst cane storming back into the game and Stevie Hare was unlucky to see his shot crash into the side netting.

Kyle Jackson saw a good snapshot go inches wide of the Cookstown upright, before a second attempt minutes later, forced the Cookstown keeper into a great save.

It was looking as if was going to be one of those nights and some good exchange play between Ross Swan and Hare again saw the Cookstown keeper pull off another good save from Hare's shot.

Wakehurst were finding it hard to break down the Cookstown defence and with ten minutes of the match remaining, Niall Swann again saw a header go inches over the Cookstown crossbar following another Kyle Jackson corner.

In the closing minutes of the match, Cookstown broke away and Thomas Brady was on hand to head a high ball off the Wakehurst goal-line, leaving the final score 2-1

This was a much improved performance from the previous week, with some top performances from Niall Swann and Stevie Hare but Man of the Match goes this week to Jamie Speirs for another inspirational performance.

Man of the Match: Jamie Speirs

Panel: R Gault, J Cameron, B O'Neill, N Swann (c), K McCollum, J Speirs, C Waring, T Brady, L Scroggie, S Hare, K Jackson, J Nixon, R Swan

Glentoran 6 Wakehurst 3 Friday 30th August 2013

The U17 team started this high profile match, played before a large crowd of spectators, at blistering speed with Connell Lemon, Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann in top form. Wakehurst enjoyed much of the early possession and after a few half chances, they took the lead on fifteen minutes. Jamie Speirs floated a free-kick into the Glentoran penalty box and Bryan Etherson steered his header into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

Wakehurst held this lead until the 28th minute, when a wayward pass allowed the Glentoran striker to drive at the Wakehurst defence and plant the ball into the bottom corner of the Wakehurst goals.

Wakehurst came storming back at Glentoran and a Speirs free-kick went inches past the Glens upright.

Stevie Hare was next to make his mark on the game when a good break and shot was just cleared by the Glentoran defence.

However, Wakehurst was to pay for the missed chances when from a corner, their striker planted his header over the Wakehurst keeper , Ryan Gault, and into the net, on 36 minutes. Half time score 2-1

Wakehurst were slow to start in the second half and conceded the killer third goal after three minutes, when poor defending allowed the Glentoran man of the match to round three Wakehurst defenders and beat Gault with a low shot.

Bryan Etherson's shot almost got Wakehurst back into the game, when the keeper pulled off a good save, to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Wakehurst conceded the fourth goal fifteen minutes into the half when the unmarked Glentoran striker scored a goal at the back post.

Wakehurst mounted a fightback and Niall Swann scored their second goal, picking up a good pass from Stevie Hare and slipping it past the Glens keeper. Wakehurst had the Glens visibly shaken at this stage of the game and from a Jamie Speirs cross, a Glens defender steered the ball past his own keeper to score an OG, leaving the score at 4-3, with 12 minutes remaining.

Just as it looked like the Wakehurst comeback was on, two defensive mistakes, in the last twelve minutes of the game allowed the Glens to extend their lead to 6-3.

Minutes from the end of the game, Jamie Speirs saw another free kick cannon off the Glens crossbar and get cleared to safety., leaving the Final Score 6-3

Man of the Match: Jamie Speirs

Panel: R Gault, J Cameron, C Waring, T Brady, K McCollum, J Speirs, N Swann, C Lemon, B Etherson, S Hare, K Jackson, J Nixon, R Swan, L Scroggie, R Sloan

Wakehurst 4 Lisburn Distillery 4 - Friendly Saturday 24th August 2013

The Wakehurst U17 team started at blistering speed in this friendly match with Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann in top form for Wakehurst. However Distillery took the lead on fifteen minutes following a defensive error.

However Wakehurst kept pressing and when they were awarded af ree-kick for obstruction, Kyle Jackson drilled the ball into the top corner of the net past the Distillery keeper.

Wakehurst took the lead in the game, ten minutes later, when Kyle Jackson received a good throughball from Niall Swann and he ran on to drill the ball into the bottom corner of the Distillery net.

Wakehurst thought they had further increased their lead when a good throughball from Bryan Etherson left Jackson in the clear of the Distillery defence and he beat the keeper again only for the referee to blow for offside in a very dubious decision. Half time score 2-1

The second half started with Distillery taking the game to Wakehurst who never got started after the break and in a ten minute spell scored three goals to take a 4-2 lead. Wakehurst introduced substitutes Jack Nixon and Michael Balmer after fifteen minutes of the half.

Wakehurst pulled a goal back on twenty-five minutes when Jamie Speirs went on a jinxing run, leaving a number of defenders in his wake before slamming the ball past a helpless Distillery keeper, leaving the score 4-3.

This goal stunned the Distillery defence and with the Ballymena Boys putting on the pressure, Stephen Hare pulled them level with another good solo goal, leaving the score 4-4.

In the dying minutes of the game, Wakehurst should have scored the winner when Connell Lemon just failed to get on the end of another good ball into the Distillery penalty box. Final score 4-4

Men of the Match: Jamie Speirs, Thomas Brady, Niall Swann

Panel: R Gault, Trialist, B O'Neill, K McCollum, T Brady, J Speirs, N Swann, C Lemon, B Etherson, S Hare, K Jackson, R Sloan, M Bamber, J Nixon

Wakehurst 3 Coagh United 1 - Friendly Saturday 17th August 2013

A Wakehurst select U17 team started the strongest in this friendly and Kyle Jackson gave them the lead after five minutes when he placed the ball wide of the Coagh keeper., following some good work from Ryan Gault.

Wakehurst had a second goal disallowed when Bryan Etherson was adjudged to be in an offside position before he scored.

The Ballymena Boys kept pressing and scored a second goal midway through the half when Jamie Speirs picked up the ball on the left wing, cut inside and curled the ball into the top corner of the Coagh net.

However, the first half wasn't all Wakehurst and Thomas Brady, in the heart of the Wakehurst defence was having a great game, dealing with whatever Coagh threw at him. Half time score 2-0

The second half started with Coagh pressing the Wakehurst defence but Richard Sloan, in the Wakehurst nets, dealt comfortably with the high balls into the Wakehurst box.

Coagh scored a goal midway through the half when the ball was only partially cleared from a corner and the Coagh striker steered the ball past Sloan in the Wakehurst nets.

However Wakehurst had the final say in the match when Jamie Speirs chipped the ball over the Coagh keeper and into an empty net. Final score 3-1

Men of the Match: Jamie Speirs, Thomas Brady

Panel: R Sloan, M Bamber, A McLaverty, R Swan, T Brady, J Speirs, B Etherson, S Hare, K Jackson, R Gault, J Reid

Carrick Rangers 3 Wakehurst 0 - Foyle Cup Saturday 27th Juy 2013

A super week of football was brought to an end on Saturday when Wakehurst took on Carrick Rangers in the Final of the Foyle Plate. Unfortunately for a very tired looking Wakehurst, they turned in their worst performance of the week after a very impressive match against Coleraine the previous day.

Wakehurst started the match strongly and Connell Lemon and the Carrick keeper were both caught in a 50/50 ball. Wakehurst kept up the pressure and Stevie Hare made a good run down the Wakehurst right wing and when his cross was delivered into the box, Lemon should have given Wakehurst the lead.

After twenty minutes of the game, Carrick took the lead when former Wakehurst old-boy Keith Hall was on had to score after Ryan Gault had made an initial good save.

Wakehurst still looked like they would get back in the game and from a Jackson corner, Niall Swann saw his header cleared off the Carrick goal line with the keeper well beaten.

Wakehurst had one final goalscoring opportunity in the first half when Connell Lemon found himself clear of the Carrick defence following a good pass from Hare but he pulled his shot wide of the post with only the goalie to beat. Half time score 1-0

The second half started with play being bogged down in a midfield tussle with Speirs and Swann in the thick of the action. Midway through the second half, Wakehurst were awarded a penalty when Jackson was hauled over in the penalty box. The same player dusted himself down and took the penalty only to see the Carrick keeper make a good save.

The save spurned Carrick on and they went on to score two late goals against a very tired looking Wakehurst team. Final Score 3-0

Man of the Match: Niall Swann

Coleraine 1 Wakehurst 2 - Foyle Cup Friday 26th July 2013

Wakehurst have a habit of making life difficult for themselves and this match was no different when they found themselves reduced to ten men after three minutes of the match had gone.

A quick reorganisation and the boys looked like they were the team with eleven players, with some great attacking play. On fifteen minutes Wakehurst should have taken the lead when a floated corner from Kyle Jackson was just missed by Niall Swann with an open goal at his mercy.

The Wakehurst defence of Thomas Brady, James Cameron and Kalin McCollum were on top of their game and dealt comfortably with any Coleraine attacks.

Wakehurst kept up the high tempo and Kyle Jackson should have scored after a super run and pass from Stephen Hare.

It was all Wakehurst at this point in the game and following a throw-in, Stephen Hare cut inside his marker but just as he was about to shoot the Coleraine defender cleared to safety.

A goal had to come and following a Jackson corner, that man Swann was at the back post to head the ball into the path of Connell Lemon who slotted the ball past the Coleraine keeper to leave the score 1-0. In a fairly one-sided first half, Wakehurst should have scored again as another chance went abegging when Niall Swann made a break out of the Wakehurst penalty box and slotted a great throughball to Kyle Jackson to leave him clear of the Coleraine defence, only to see his attempted lob over the keeper go marginally wide. Half time score 1-0

Wakehurst knew they would be up against it in the second half but didn't change their game plan. For long spells of the second half the Wakehurst defence ably marshalled the Coleraine attack with Jamie Speirs and Niall Swann pulling the strings in midfield.

Wakehurst doubled their lead midway through the second half when Niall Swann headed the ball home from another corner. As legs began to tire, Ross Swan and Jack McKitterick replaced Waring and Brady.

Coleraine pulled a goal back with four (4) minutes of the match remaining, following hesitancy in the Wakehurst defence.

However it was Ballymena boys who finished the strongest in the match when a free kick on the edge of the Coleraine box went narrowly over the crossbar. Full time score 2-1 to Wakehurst

Man of the Match:

Derry Colts 4 Wakehurst 1 - Foyle Cup Thursday 25th July 2013

Wakehurst came up against the cream of the North West on their home turf on a night when too many of the Ballymena boys looked tired from last night's epic win with ten men over Strabane Athletic.

Derry started the strongest team and were finding space down their left wing, getting round the Wakehurst full-back. However Wakehurst weathered the early pressure and gradually came more into the game with Speirs, Hare and Swann starting to put together some good passing play. Derry opened their scoring from a good cross which found the Wakehurst defence napping and their striker scored a good goal.

Worse was to follow when following a short back pass, the Derry striker latched onto the ball and slide it past the advancing Ryan Gault in the Wakehurst nets.

Wakehurst should have pulled a goal back minutes before half time, when following some good play from Stephen Hare, who broke down the Wakehurst right wing, his cross was met by Connell Lemon who only had the keeper to beat but the keeper pulled off a good save. Wakehurst had a good spell of pressure in the final few minutes of the first half and Jamie Speirs cannoned a free-kick off the crossbar with the Derry keeper well beaten. Half time score 2-0

Wakehurst regrouped at half time and looked to get more of the play in the second half. However Derry had other ideas and scored a third after ten minutes when the Wakehurst winger didn't pick up his man following a clearance from a corner and allowed a cross into the penalty box which was duly stroked home by the Derry striker. Wakehurst made a number of substitutions with McKitterick, Scroggie and Frew all coming into play.

Wakehurst pulled a goal back when Kyle Jackson latched onto a throughball and got in front of his marker to steer the ball past the Derry keeper, to leave the score 3-1.

This goal lifted the Ballymena boys who now began to play some of their best football of the match but another comical error ten minutes later effectively killed off the game as a contest when an attempted clearance cannoned off a Derry striker and into an empty net. Final score 4-1

Men of the Match: Niall Swann, James Cameron, Jamie Speirs

Strabane Athletic 0 Wakehurst 1 - Foyle Cup Wednesday 24th July 2013

Strabane started this match the stronger team, dominating the early exchanges in midfield but found the Wakehurst defence of Thomas Brady, Michael Laverty, James Cameron and Kalin McCollum in top form. Behind the Wakehurst defence, Ryan Gault in the Wakehurst nets was seldom troubled.

Gradually Wakehurst began to claw their way back into the game and on ten minutes Stephen Hare found himself with only the keeper to beat but somehow pulled the ball wide of the post.

Wakehurst kept on pressing the Strabane rearguard and a great Stevie Hare throughball to Connell Lemon, again left a Wakehurst player with a straight shot at goals but again the ball was pulled wide of the goals.

It looked like Wakehurst would pay for the missed chances with their centre back, Kalin McCollum, was sent off for a second yellow card on twenty five minutes. With a quick reorganisation, the Ballymena Boys saw out the rest of the first half. Half time score 0-0

The half time break gave Wakehurst time to reorganise and change their strategy for the second half. From the kick off, Wakehurst looked the more composed with Niall Swann and James Cameron dominating the middle of the Wakehurst defence and Jamie Speirs and Stevie Hare pulling the strings in midfield.

Again Wakehurst could have taken the lead after ten minutes of the half when Connell Lemon picked up a good throughball from Stevie Hare and found himself with only the keeper to beat but again the keeper came out on top, making a good save, pushing the ball around the post. From the resultant corner, Niall Swann saw his header go inches over the crossbar.

The big pitch began to take its toal on the ten-man team and Jack Nixon, Ross Swann and Jack McKitterick were all introduced to play to replace Waring, Speirs and Brady.

With ten minutes of the match remaining and it looking like Wakehurst might hold on for a draw, Kyle Jackson had other ideas and when he picked up a throughball from Jack Nixon and ran on to coolly slide the ball past the advancing Strabane keeper to give Wakehurst a deserved 1-0 lead.

Jake Frew then replaced goalscorer Jackson as Wakehurst looked to hold onto their lead. Strabane hit the high ball at the Wakehurst defence for the remaining minutes of the match but a combination of McKitterick, Swan, Swann, Laverty and Gaultie soaked up the pressure and ran down the clock to give the Ballymena boys a memorable victory, playing with ten men for most of the match. Final score 1-0 to Wakehurst

Men of the Match: Niall Swann, James Cameron

Everton America 1 Wakehurst 0 - Foyle Cup Tuesday 23rd July 2013

Football is a funny old game and when its not your night, its not your night. Two missed penalties, a disallowed goal and the goalkeeper pulling off numerous good saves was how this match went.

Wakehurst started strongly and Captain Jamie Speirs saw a fierce drive, on five minutes, from all of thirty yards somehow tipped over the bar, when it looked like it had goal written all over it.

Wakehurst were beginning to dominate the early exchanges with Brady, Swann and Speirs instrumental in every move. Kyle Jackson was proving to be a handful for the Everton defence and the same player could have given Wakehurst the lead but for another good save from their keeper.

Everton took the lead on twenty minutes when a rare attack down their left wing found its way into the Wakehurst box and when the Everton striker found himself with space, he placed the ball wide of Ryan Gault, in the Wakehurst nets.

Wakehurst came back at Everton strongly and when Connell Lemon released Jackson, he on a jinxing run inside the Everton box and was hauled over for a penalty. The same player dusted himself down and took the penalty only to see the Everton keeper pull off another good save.

With minutes remaining of the first hale , Wakehurst thought they had pulled level, when Brady scored from a Jackson cross, only for the referee to somehow rule it out for an infringement. Half time score 1-0 to Everton

Wakehurst introduced Etherson at half time as they looked to claw their way back into the game. The pattern of play remained the same as the first half with Wakehurst doing most of the pressing and the defence of Cameron, Laverty and McCollum standing strong when called upon.

Midway through the half Wakehurst were awarded another penalty when Connell Lemon was hauled over in the box and Jamie Speirs took the kick, only to see the keeper pull off another top-class save.

Jake Frew and Lee Scroggie were introduced to replace tiring legs as the heat began to take its toll.

Wakehurst kept pressing and another cross went agonising across the face of the goals before the Everton keeper was sent off in the dying minutes of the match for an off the ball incident.

Wakehurst launched the ball forward with only Gaultie not in the Everton penalty box but on two occasions the ball was headed inches wide of the post before the referee blew for full time. Final score 1-0 to Everton

Man of the Match: Jamie Speirs

Foyle Cup Panel: R Gault, J McKitterick, C Waring, K McCollum, N Swann, J Cameron, C Lemon, S Hare, K Jackson, J Nixon, T Brady, M Laverty, J Speirs, L Scroggie, R Swan, J Frew, B Etherson