Under 18 Super Match Reports 2006/07
Under 18 Super Match Reports 2006/07 |
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Sunday 25th March 2007
DDSL Under 18 Super League
Belvedere F.C. 2 - 0 Dunboyne A.F.C.
A goal in each half for Belvedere secured the 3 league points as they overcame their County Meath visitors at Fairview Park on Sunday. Belvo Managers Gerry Galligan and Mick Byrne will take heart from their team's performance which had all the qualities of commitment, desire and no small measure of skill either.
Belvo's hard work and good application paid dividends after 12 minutes played when, following a neat interchange of passes involving Michael Galligan and Alan Homan, Adam Grant was played in with a great pass and he made no mistake with an excellent finish to open the scoring, .
The visitors fought hard for an equaliser and Belvo were made defend strongly at times to maintain their one goal advantage. Belvo 'keeper Shane Keogh was in fine form and he pulled off a great save to deny a bullet of a shot from the Dunboyne striker which was bound for the top corner of the goal..
Indeed, the visitors forced 5 corner kicks in the first half alone but they were unable to breach a solid Belvo defence, with captain Stephen Sunderland and Aaron Egan in particular, excelling at the back And so despite the visitors' best efforts to draw level, the first half ended 1 - 0 to Belvo.
The second half was a tight affair as both sides battled to gain the upper hand. Chances were created at either end but neither team were unable to capitalise. However, on 65 minutes, following a good attacking move, Belvo forced a corner kick on the right. From the resulting cross Terry McAuley fired home to double Belvo's lead, after the visiting defence had failed to clear the danger.
With their 2 goal cushion, Belvo played out the remainder of the match in comfort, while their visitors were forced into long range shots on goal which 'keeper Keogh dealt with competently. And so at the final whistle it was Belvo who took all three points with a good 2 - 0 win.
Not having played any away league matches so far this season, and with a only limited number of home games played, Belvo now face a fixture back log in their efforts to improve on their league table position. .
Sunday 25th February 2007
FAI Youth Cup ( 4th Round )
Rangers CYM 1 - 0 Belvedere F.C.
Lady Luck certainly abandoned Belvedere on Sunday when, despite dominating this FAI Youth Cup 4th round tie with Rangers CYM at Bushy Park, they lost by the only goal of the match. But things might have been different for Belvo had they taken the many chances they created on the day.
Rangers, in contrast, hardly troubled the Belvo 'keeper Shane Keogh throughout the match, other than when their striker scored from an obvious off side position after 18 minutes. Belvo continued to take the play to the opponents, and following a period of sustained pressure were awarded a penalty kick for a foul in the box on 25 minutes.
However, Michael Galligan missed the target with his penalty kick and then two minutes later he again looked in disbelief as his shot on goal was denied by the upright, with the 'keeper well beaten.
In the second half Belvo pinned back the Rangers' defence with some excellent attacking play from Adam Grant but he too was unable to find the back of the net.
With 20 minutes remaining in the match Terry McAuley thought he had scored the elusive equaliser with his brilliant shot from 30 yards, but it crashed against the cross bar and the danger cleared by the Rangers' defence.
The final minutes of the match were all Belvedere as they laid siege on the Rangers goal, but the hosts stood firm until the final whistle to secure their place in the 5th round of the FAI Cup.
Sunday 3rd December 2006
FAI Youth Cup ( 3rd Round )
Belvedere F.C. 2 - 0 Skerries Town F.C.
Driving rain and gusting winds made for miserable conditions at Fairview Park on Sunday as Belvedere faced an in-form Skerries Town in the 3rd round of the FAI Youths Cup. The visitors are currently enjoying an unbeaten run so far this season in the DDSL Under 18 Super League.
The early stages of the match were even as both sides battled to come to terms with with the difficult playing conditions. Belvo however broke the deadlock on 29 minutes when Michael Galligan fired home following good work by Craig Dunne.
Skerries pressed hard in search of an equaliser and Belvo's defence were made to work hard to maintain their lead. Stephen Sunderland was in commanding form for Belvo at centre back as he denied the visitors with some great defending. .
Ten minutes into the second half Belvo doubled their advantage following a lovely passing movement which sent Alan Homan away down the wing. He delivered a great cross to Terry McAuley, who blasted a great shot at the Skerries goal.
The Skerries 'keeper did very well to block the shot but the ball rebounded to the alert Adam Grant who pounced to score.
With their two goal cushion, Belvo continued to take the game to their opponents, creating three decent scoring chances, but without managing to extend their lead. Skerries fought hard to narrow the deficit and they might have scored but for the efforts of Belvo 'keeper Shane Keogh who pulled off a brilliant save.
Belvo Manager Gerry Galligan was very pleased with his team's commitment and felt that they had adapted better than their opponents to the difficult playing conditions on the day. Having qualified for the 4th round of the FAI Youth Cup, Belvo will be hoping to build on their good form and progress further..
Sunday 22nd October 2006
DDSL Under 18 Super League
Belvedere F.C. 5 - 5 Saint Joseph's Boys
Not having played a match for the last three weeks Belvedere were anxious to restart their season on a positive note as they welcomed the visit of Saint Joseph's Boys to Fairview Park on a sunny Sunday morning. But it was Joeys who drew first blood when they scored on 15 minutes as they took advantage of some hesitant defending by Belvo.
However, within 8 minutes Belvo were back on level terms thanks to a great headed goal by Stephen Sunderland from Craig Dunne's corner kick. Belvo then took the lead on the half hour mark when Michael Galligan fired home from another delightful Dunne cross.
Five minutes before half time the visitors took advantage of more slack Belvo defending when they equalised, and within a minutes they took scored again to lead 3 - 2 at the break.
Terry McAuley then put Belvo back on level terms, 7 minutes into the second half when he headed home an excellent cross from Alan Harman. However, despite playing the better football Belvo were again twice caught napping at the back again as they conceded two goals in quick succession.
Not to be outdone Belvo pulled a goal back within 6 minutes of the final whistle with a great shot by Peter Keegan which gave the visiting 'keeper no chance, before Galligan scored his second and Belvo's 5th goal to level the scoring in this ten goal thriller.
Indeed Belvo pushed hard for a winner in the dying minutes of the match and were unlucky not score just before the final whistle sounded.
Belvo managers Gerry Galligan and Mick Byrne although pleased with their team's great comeback at the end, felt that the long lay off without playing matches had effected their side's sharpness on the day.