Rearcross U-13's played host to Premier Division side Ballymackey at Rearcross FC Grounds on Thursday evening in the NTSFL U-13 Cup and turned in the performance of the season to date with a thrilling 4-1 victory over the Ballinree side. The visitors held the upper hand in the physicality stakes, however this didn’t deter a gallant Rearcross outfit which got stuck in from the kick off. It was end to end in the early stages, but the Rea bhoys got the breakthrough on the ten minute mark when Patrick Dawson threaded through to Stephen Rochford who skimmed the ball between the posts with a deft touch. Rearcross kept the pressure on and doubled their t-0 ally on the fifteen minute mark when Patrick Dawson did the ground work before Brian Nolan advanced on the left and finished to the net from just outside the six yard box. Ballymackey looked dangerous going forward and Cathal Kennedy had to be alert to save an effort from distance, while at the other end Patrick Dawson fired on target. The Premier Division side applied all the pressure towards the end of the half and came closest when an in swinging corner kick was headed over from under the crossbar which was a let off for the home side. Rearcross picked up in the initiative again the second half as Cillian Kennedy set Patrick Dawson through, however played was pulled back for offside and then seconds later Patrick Dawson fired low to the net, but the effort was disallowed for offside. Stephen Rochford surely produced a man of the match display on the day and stretched it to three on 53 minutes with a superb sole run from just inside the half way line, beating three Ballymackey players in the process before dispatching to the corner of the net. Rearcross had victory in sight and made it four nil when Stephen Rochford rammed a low effort to the corner of the net following a free kick lay off to round off his hat-trick in style. Ballymackey didn’t give up though and forced a fine save out of Cathal Kennedy who got down well to turn the ball way. The away side pulled a goal back five minutes from time when Kenneth Ryan headed home from a corner kick and were denied a second when brave goalkeeping from Cathal Kennedy saw the Rearcross custodian take a wallop of the ball in the face, however nothing was going to deny the Neill Ryan Joinery sponsored side on this occasion and the Slieve Felim side can now look forward to a home quarter final spot against Borrisokane next Tuesday evening, well done to all Rearcross players from 1 to 13 for turning in a gallant display from start to finish.

Rearcross U-12's: Cathal Kennedy, Colm Lenihan, Eoin Sheldon, Sean Malone(Capt), Danny Poyzer, Paul Nolan, Cillian Kennedy, Stephen Rochford, Brian Nolan, Cian O'Toole, Patrick Dawson,
Subs: Andy Kinnane for Patrick Dawson, Aaron Kennedy for Brian Nolan

Ballymackey FC:

Referee: Shane Hodgins