Home win for Rearcross U-14's over BT Harps

Rearcross U-14’s welcomed BT Harps B to Rea last Friday evening for their first league match. It was the hosts that started brightest when a Conor Nolan effort from the edge of the box went just wide of the post. Rearcross scored from the resulting kick out when a loose ball played by the BT Harps defence into midfield, found Darragh Reynolds who let fly from way out with an effort that went straight into the visitor’s net. Rearcross kept up the pressure and a free kick from Conor Nolan was well saved by Padraig Guilfoyle in the BT Harps goals. Rea kept the press on and again the BT Harps keeper was called into action after saving well from a Conor Nolan solo run. A dangerous Zofia Kwiecinska cross from the right was defended well by the BT defence. Andrew Hanly then advanced up the field and was unlucky to see his effort sail barely over the bar. Conor Nolan was luckless with an effort that was just wide of the post. Great build up play by Ryan Quigley, Andrew Hanly and Ciaran McLoughlin down the left flank saw the latter have a strike on goal which was saved. Conor Nolan got on the scoresheet when he was brought down in the box by an advancing keeper before dispatching the resulting spot kick to the back of the net to give Rea a two-nil advantage. Brilliant play by Ryan Quigley and Cathal Hickey saw Zofia Kwiecinska set up Ciaran McLoughlin who was unlucky not to open his account. Rearcross custodian Leon Wallace came to the rescue for his side with a fine save to deny the Templemore outfit. Leon Wallace was again called into action when he reacted smartly to clear a through ball to thwart the BT attack. Rearcross finished the half strongly as Zofia Kwiecinska made it 3-0 with an effort from inside the box just before half time.
Rearcross made some changes at half time including the positional switch of Leon Wallace and Andrew Hanly. BT Harps grew in to the game in the second half and brought it back to 2-1 with a Paudie Noonan effort which flew to the roof of the net. Rearcross restored their advantage to make it 3-1 when great defending by Paudie Clifford to disrupt a BT attack saw Darragh Reynolds play a brilliant ball to Conor Nolan who sped through to bag his second of the outing. The visitors didn’t give up and Andrew Hanly was called into action with a fine save. The Slieve Felim side ran out comfortable winners as Kate Kennedy’s effort produced a fine save by the BT Harps keeper. A superb solo run by Zofia Kwiecinska down the right win forced another save from the visiting keeper who had a fine outing between the posts.

Rearcross U-14’s: Leon Wallace, Conor McInerney, Darragh Reynolds, Andrew Hanly, Paudie Clifford, Sean Guidera, Ciaran McLoughlin, Zofia Kwiecinska, Conor Nolan, Cathal Hickey, Ryan Quigley
Subs: Cathal Maloney, Kate Kennedy, Saoirse Guidera

BT Harps ‘B’: P Guilfoyle, A Coady, P Clarke, K O’Mara, F Ryan, A Owens, J Higgins, T Kinnane, M McGreevy, P Noonan, P Everard.
Sub: H Rabbitte

Referee: Colin O’Gorman

Report by Shane Reynolds