Under-17 Local Cup Division 1
Mon, 01 Apr 24 at Fermoy
Carrigtwohill United – 5
Fermoy – 2
Carrigtwohill Utd faced their league rivals Fermoy in Round 2 of the Teddy Healy cup
Their last league game ended with shared points with a 1-1 score line after a tough even battle.
Missing a few starting players we knew it was gonna be even a tougher challenge since the drawn game previous. The game started with the visitors putting it up to the home side on their newly built all weather facility. Most of our early football took place on the right side of the pitch, withinn 5 minutes we opened the scoring with great build up play incorporating Alex Sull and Alex L getting the ball up to Seba who slid the ball onto the forward run on Ethan, a quick strike saw the keeper save but not being able to hold onto it, the quick reaction from Ethan to follow on and strike from an impossible angle into the far corner.
Fermoy reacted positively and put our back 4 under continuous pressure forcing several free kicks, each free kick tested our keeper Cillian and defensive line of Alex Sull, Colum, Dennis, Esdras. Good defensive decisions from Dennis was welcoming with Colm acting as sweeper in behind.
The game ebbed and flowed with quality play from both sides, supporters from both sides enjoying every minute. Our midfield pairing of Jayden and Amany battled for most balls, trying to bring our wingers Ales L and Leslie into the game as often as possible.
Carrigtwohill won a few free kicks of our own to try test their keeper, one of which came after 25min. A central free kick from 30 yards was expertly taken by Alex L, bending the ball low around the left side of their wall and past their shuffling keeper. Carrigtwohill could sense this could be our evening. High work rate from our two attacking players Seba and Ethan constantly trying to break their lines.
Fermoy kept up their intensity and their reward came on the 44th minute with a counter attack down their right side, efforts from our left back to stop their quick and skillful left legged winger wasn’t enough for him to cut back at the corner of box to strike into opposite corner, just as the half time whistle was blown.
Halftime 2-1 to Carrigtwohill.
The halftime team talk was positive and we agreed what was needed in the second half, to keep the intensity, make good defensive decisions and take our chances when they arrive.
From the sideline the coaches needed to keep our players focused for the task at hand, sure enough we were rewarded another free kick, this one was 40+ yards out, close to the half way line, we know from past games that this was within range for our Colm, we gave him the nod and he struck it so well the keeper was unable to deal with it, into the back of the net, absolute cracking goal applauded by the visiting supporters.
3-1 to Carrigtwohill.
As we know how this game goes a lot of the time, the game now was getting fiesty and the challenges were coming in hard and frequent. Fermoy were rewarded another free kick within two minutes, the ball was sent high and direct, our keeper unfortunately was bumped off course to punch the ball away, it ended in the back of the net.
3-2 after 75 minutes played.
Our lads grew stronger as the game went on and now our left side of the pitch was being utilized well with Leslie growing into the game with the help of Amany and Ethan. Some great tika taka football being played in the middle third, Jayden somehow found himself with more time than usual with the ball at feet out around the D, he struck with power, the ball swerved both ways and beat the keeper.
4-2 now with Fermoy starting the buckle under the immense pressure, yet they kept at it and forced a great save from Cillian on goal to keep that two goal lead.
We made a few changes to the line bringing on Alex K at left back for Esdras, and Kevin onto the left wing, switching Leslie to the right wing for Alex L, both Alex L and Esdras putting in a great shift.
10min remaining, was there time for more from our lads, answer was of course, Leslie won the ball out wide and took on the player who he beat, continued his run and played a cut back pass the Seba who first time flicked it high over the oncoming keeper and into the top left corner.
5-2 with minutes to play and an ecstatic sideline and supporters.
Great performance from our 13 players present, this side is worth at watch over any other side when they play the game we as coaches know they can.
Carrig Abu.
