2nd Ahoghill progressed to next stage of this year’s Junior 5-a-side national competition after a fine performance in the opening round.
The team travelled to Sixmile Leisure Centre, where the Round 1 matches were hosted by 1st Ballyclare.
Match 1 – 1st Ballyclare
Our opening match was a tough encounter with our hosts 1st Ballyclare. Their early attacks were thwarted by two good saves from Sam, and several timely defensive blocks from Daniel and Matthew.
However Ballyclare eventually broke the deadlock with a long shot into the bottom corner. Followed by a second from the edge of the penalty area just before half time.
Ballyclare continued the pressure in the second half, but our boys defended well and prevented any obvious goal-scoring opportunities. However, a third and final goal eventually sneaked in thanks to a deflected shot, leaving the final score 3-0 to Ballyclare.
Match 2 – 7th Portadown
The boys started positively, outsmarting Portadown’s midfield with a series of good passing moves which eventually led to the opening goal. A pass from the right wing found Matthew in space outside the box, who finished smartly on the half-volley.
Portadown were awarded a controversial equaliser a few moments later, as their attacker struck his shot inside the penalty area. However, the referee didn’t notice and the goal stood.
The boys responded well and continued to attack with a string of long-range shots, which culminated in Daniel restoring our lead with a confident drive into the bottom corner.
Portadown remained a threat in the second half and came close to their own equaliser as they struck the crossbar. But this only spurred our boys on and led to a flurry of goals in quick succession from Matthew, James and Joe.
Portadown were awarded a penalty late in the second half, but missed their chance to pull one back.
Daniel completed our attacking display with a commanding run from midfield and clinical finish. The final score 6-1 to Ahoghill.
Match 3 – 3rd Kilkeel
Buoyed by their previous performance, the boys continued the quick passing and confident dribbling they had developed. Kilkeel offered their own attacking presence, however Joe was solid in defence intercepting passes and breaking up play.
Ahoghill got the first goal, as Daniel curled a well-struck shot with the outside of his foot, directing it just out of the goalkeeper’s reach. A second followed as Matthew strode forward and shot across goal into the bottom right corner of the net.
Kilkeel kept themselves in the game, as their number 9 scored a well-paced long-range effort to make the score 2-1.
Joe continued his excellent defensive display, dealing with a tricky 3 on 1 attack very well to intercept and calmly dribble the ball forward. James also frustrated Kilkeel, pressing his opponents and tirelessly chasing every loose ball.
The second half was a close-fought affair with both teams creating chances but Ahoghill were the ones to capitalise, scoring a third goal to extend their lead.
We suffered a late scare with two freekicks awarded against us just outside the box, but the boys held their nerve and their two-goal lead to finish the match 3-1.
The results mean that 1st Ballyclare and 2nd Ahoghill both progress to the next stage of the competition, to be played before March 2020.
| Team | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Ballyclare | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 9 |
| 2nd Ahoghill | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| 7th Portadown | 1 | 0 | 2 | -11 | 3 |
| 3rd Kilkeel | 0 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 0 |
