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Wakehurst 2 Craigavon City 2 Saturday 29th October 2016

This was a great game played by two very committed sides. Craigavon started the game better and opened the scoring after 15 minutes. Wakehurst saw chances through Tyler Barr and Mark Cochrane go narrowly wide . Craigavon then increased their lead scoring again before the break Half-time 0-2

Whatever was said at half time certainly worked, as Wakehurst came out and took the game to Craigavon. With Jamie Stevenson and James McLarnon on top in midfield and Sparky Cochrane and David Leetch causing problems up front,Wakehurst pulled one back through James O'Loughlin. Any chances Craigavon were getting on the break were being dealt with by a strong Wakehurst back four, particularly Ronan Laverty, who was having a great game at centre half. With 15 minutes left Wakehurst got a deserved equaliser when after some great work by James O'Loughlin, David Leetch played in Sparky Cochrane to slide the ball past the advancing keeper.

A great turnaround by Wakehurst as they seem to be growing in confidence with every game Full time 2-2

Man of the Match: Ronan Laverty

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

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Wakehurst 0 Hillsborough 1 Saturday 16th October 2016

In a really frustrating game for Wakehurst, who were totally dominant for 80% of this match, only to be on the receiving on of a 1 nil defeat.vWith Wakehurst on the front foot from the start, with Stevenson and Cochrane linking up well, they really should have been two goals to the good before half time. Half time 0-0

With the rain showing no mercy in the second half, Wakehurst still looked the team going to make the break through but half way through the half, Hillsborough scored the only goal of the game from a corner. With some last gasp blocks and good goalkeeping foiling the home team, Wakehurst again come away the losers by a single goal. Full time 0-1

On a positive note it was great to see James McClarnon back from a long term injury, even doing a great job as stand in keeper!

Man of the Match: Jamie Stevenson

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

Wakehurst 3 Carryduff Colts 0 NIBFA Cup Saturday 8th October 2016

After some encouraging performances in the Daily Mirror Lisburn league this season,Wakehurst were playing in NIBFA cup duty in a rare appearance in Ballymena on Saturday and came away with a comfortable win against a dogged Carryduff side. Injuries and suspensions robbed Hurst of a trio of first team regulars for this match but with 15 minutes gone in the match, James O'Loughlin opened the scoring, after good build up play from Jamie Stevenson and Tyler Barr. O'Loughlin doubled his tally when, after great work by Jacob Penny down the right, he slid the ball in at the back post. Half time 2-0

Wakehurst continued to dominate most areas of the match, but could have conceded a goal after 50 minutes, but for U16 keeper Connor Brennan in the home goal who pulled off a great save. Wakehurst missed chances to increase their lead but in the final five minutes Joshua Logan got the third following good work from Jamie Houston and Calum Neeson.

A good win for Wakehurst and flying the flag for Ballymena as sole representatives into the second round of Northern Ireland's top cup competion. Full time 3-0

Panel. C Brennan, J Penny, J Smyth, B Millar, D Dobbin, A Shaw, R Laverty, J Fleming, T Barr, J Stevenson, J O' Loughlin, J Houston, C Neeson, J Logan

Lurgan Celtic 6 Wakehurst 4 Saturday 1st October 2016

Wakehurst, missing five regulars began this cup game against a strong Celtic side on the front foot. With just 10 minutes gone 'Sparky' Cochrane opened the scoring with a fine finish. Through lack of concentration, Wakehurst conceded 3 goals in a 7 minute spell just before half time. Half time 3-1

The second half started as the first ended,as Celtic ran in 3 more goals. Heads never dropped though and Wakehurst pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Anthony Shaw. With Cochrane causing problems all day for the Celtic defence, Wakehurst got another back, when Shaw again scored with a powerful drive from the edge of the box. It was all Wakehurst at this stage and they got another when Joshua Logan scored from a tight angle. Wakehurst go out of the cup, but it was pleasing to see them fighting to the end against a top team. Full time 6-4

Man of the Match: Mark'Sparky' Cochrane

Panel- J Stevenson, J Penny, J Smyth, B Millar, D Dobbin, A Shaw, J Logan, J Fleming, T Barr, J Houston, M Cochrane, C Neeson

Wakehurst 1 Ballyclare Colts 1 Saturday 24th September 2016

It was a game of 2 halves in this 'local derby' on Saturday,with Wakehurst dominating the first half and the away side having, by far, the better second. Wakehurst started the match on the front foot, and should have been three up, before 'Sparky' Cochrane finished well from a nice flick on from new signing Shea O'Brien. Against the run of play, Ballyclare equalised 10 minutes before the break. Half time 1-1

Ballyclare, buoyed by the goal before half time, started the half stronger, and took the game to the home side, but with Brandon Millar and Jacob Penny in defence, and Jamie Stevenson in goal all having good games, Wakehurst came away with a point which moves them up to 5th in the league table. Full time 1-1

Panel: J Stevenson, J Penny, B Millar, A Shaw, D Dobbin, R Laverty, D Leetch, J Fleming, J O'Loughlin, S O'Brien, M Cochrane, J Smyth, C Neeson

Newry City 4 Wakehurst 3 Saturday 17th September 2016

Wakehurst took the game to hosts Newry in the first half and took a deserved lead when David Leetch scored from a well struck free kick. The Ballymena boys should have increased their lead on a couple of occasions,but it was Newry who scored the next goal from a free kick. This spurred the home side on and they scored 2 more quick fire goals before half time.Half time 3-1

Newry increased their lead 15 minutes in and that seemed game over,but Wakehurst kept playing their passing game and Callum Neeson pulled one back at the near post following great footwork from Tyler Barr. With 5 minutes remaining Jay Smyth scored with a header from a corner but they couldn't find the equaliser. A disappointing middle 20 minutes but credit to Wakehurst for not letting their heads drop. Full time 4-3

Panel-J Stevenson, J Penny, J Smyth, A Shaw, B Millar, D Dobbin, D Leetch, J Fleming, J O'Loughlin, T Barr, J Houston, C Neeson

All boys and coaches would like to wish our influential midfielder Aaron Campbell good luck and a speedy recovery following a double arm break. Keep the head up wee man

Lurgan Town 0 Wakehurst 1 Saturday 10th September 2016

After last Saturday's narrow defeat, Wakehurst got their season up and running with a thoroughly deserved win over a strong Lurgan Town. After a tight first 10 minutes Wakehurst took control of the game and played some great football with Leetch, Campell and 'Sparky' Cochrane causing the Lurgan defence all sorts of problems.

Half time 0-0

Into the second half,the story was the same,with Wakehurst pushing hard for the breakthrough,and with 20 minutes in, Ronan Laverty finished well following an exquisite ball from Cochrane. Lurgan applied some late pressure but there was no way through a great defensive display from Jacob Penny, Anthony Shaw,Brandon Millar and Jay Smyth.

3 points on the board and this performance should give the boys great confidence for the games ahead. Final score 0-1

Man of the Match: Team Performance

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

Wakehurst 2 Dromore 3 Saturday 3rd September 2016

Wakehurst kicked off their new season missing four regulars but opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a good finish from James O'Loughlin. However, through some slack defending and an unfortunate own goal they went into the half time break 3 - 1 down.

The second half was much better by Wakehurst as they began to push forward looking to reduce the deficit. With Leetch, Houston and 'Sparky' Cochrane starting to stretch the Dromara defence, it was no surprise they pulled a goal back when Jamie Houston was brought down by the Dromara keeper, and Aaron Campbell rifled the penalty into the top corner. The last 15 minutes was all Wakehurst but they couldn't get the point their second half deserved. Full time 3-2

First day blues for 'The Hurst' but with players coming back the signs are encouraging for the season ahead

Panel: A Shaw, J Smyth, J Penny, D Dobbin, A Campbell, D Leetch, B Millar, J Fleming, J O'Loughlin, M Cochrane, J Houston