Rearcross Youths 3 - Ballymackey Youths 2
Rearcross Youths had to battle all the way to hold out for a gritty 3-2 win over Ballymackey Youths at Rearcross FC Grounds on Friday evening after the visitors came from three nil down to set up a hectic finish. The opening exchanges were evenly contested with Ballymackey looking the more dangerous early on as Patrick Coffey was forced to parry a rasper away from the danger area in the 9th minute. The home side hit the front on 14 minutes when Dylan Ryan's in swinging corner kick broke to Rob Houlihan who blasted to the corner of the net from outside the six yard box. Rearcross enjoyed a period of dominance after this and a cracking left footed effort from Mike Quigley was inches over five minutes later. Rob Houlihan came to the rescue for the Rea bhoys when Niall McDonnell's shot was on target however a brave block down thwarted the chance, while at the other end the Ballymackey goalkeeper did extremely well to deflect Gary O'Brien's dipping shot over the crossbar. The green & whites made a strong finish to the half and came close to extending their lead in the 35th minute when good play by Evan Gleeson and Darragh Kennedy saw the ball come back off the crossbar before Rob Houlihan's bicycle kick effort flew over. Rearcross took a two nil lead to the break when Evan Gleeson was well positioned to drill between the posts from close range in the 43rd minute. Patrick Coffey produced the save of the game two minutes in to stoppage time after turning John O'Connor's shot over the bar to leave Rearcross in control at the break. The Rearcross custodian was in the action again seven minutes in to the second half after blocking on the line following a goalmouth scramble. Good approach play involving Gary O'Brien, Gary McMahon and Evan Gleeson saw the latter fire on target, however the shot was saved on the line. Conor Floyd and Darragh Kennedy worked hard throughout in the midfield sector and good play forced the concession of a free on 61 minutes, Gary O'Brien stepped up to send a thirty five yard effort whizzing to the roof of the net. The hosts looked to be home and dry at this stage, however Ballymackey had other ideas and were back in the tie when the referee pointed to the spot six minutes later following a handball infringement, John O'Connor converted the resulting penalty with aplomb. Worse was to follow for the home side six minutes later when a tackle on the edge of the box was deemed to be over zealous as John O'Connor was on target from the spot for a second time. The tie was very much in the melting pot after this, Rearcross responded with further efforts from Rob Houlihan and Conor Floyd and then at the other end John O'Connor's free kick wasn't far away. The Ballinree side were pressing hard as Calvin O'Rourke pulled a good save out of Patrick Coffey, a tense finish saw Rob Houlihan get under a menacing free kick to head clear under pressure, however Rearcross shut up shot after this to hold out for a hard earned win and will look to build on this result in the campaign ahead.
Rearcross Youths: Patrick Coffey, Martin Nolan, Gary O'Brien, Jamie Russell, Rob Houlihan, Darragh Kennedy, Conor Floyd, Evan Gleeson, Mike Quigley, Gary McMahon, Dylan Ryan.
Ballymackey Youths: James Collins, James Clifford, Jordan Sullivan, Declan Elderfield, Sean Kevin, Denis Haverty, Calvin O'Rourke, Ronan O'Brien, Carl Williams, Niall McDonnell, John O'Connor,
Subs: John McInerney, Richard Carter, Stephen Hayes
Referee: Martin Goldsboro