Under 17 Premier Match Reports 2005/06

The Under 17's Premier team switched their match day to Saturday for this 4th round Leinster Youths Cup tie against Wexford side, Northend F.C.

Played in front of a very vocal and partisan home crowd of spectators, on a heavy bumpy pitch, the match tended to be quite physical, at times.

Belvo had a lot of the early possession and they pressurised the home defence from the whistle. The pressure paid off, when on 25 minutes, Stephen Nolan headed home from Keith Delehan's well delivered corner kick from the left.

Northend however, pressed hard for an equaliser, and Belvo's 'keeper Colin Cassidy was called on to make two excellent saves to deny the hosts before the break.

The second half saw Belvo dominate much of the play, with lots of possession, but without increasing their one goal advantage. When the Northend did attack the Belvo goal, they were repelled by centre back Terry McAuley who was commanding in defence.

Right back Adam McGarry also had an excellent match for Belvo, and he denied the hosts' striker on two occasions with some well timed interceptions.

But, with 10 minutes to go, Belvo were made to pay for not finishing off the their hosts with a second goal, when the Wexford side was awarded a free kick, just outside the penalty area.

The deep free kick from the left somehow found its way past Belvo's defenders to the far post and the home striker slotted home with ease, to force the match into extra time.

However, just 2 minutes into the first period of extra time, Belvo scored again, when Delehan's well delivered cross from the left was flicked on by Kevin Cornwall to the far post for Nolan to head home.

This goal was to prove to be the winner, as Northend didn't really trouble the Belvo defence for the rest of the extra time. And so at the final whistle it was Belvo who advanced to the 5th round of the Leinster Youths Cup with a hard fought but, deserved away win.

Manager Thomas Kenny and his assistants were delighted with the win, as this was Belvo's first match to be played in four weeks.

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Not having had a match for 4 weeks, and down to only 12 fit players on the day, Belvedere however, wasted no time as they scored in the first minute, when central mid-fielder Joey Doherty hit the first of three well taken goals.

Despite their early lead and total command of the match, Belvo's lack of match practice showed as they failed to capitalise on some good chances in the first 20 minutes.

Belvo maintained the pressure on Hillcrest and were rewarded when Doherty popped up to score his second on 25 minutes after some good interchange play.

In the second half, Belvo continued to take the game to their visitors and should have increased the lead further as they created chance after chance.

Doherty then put the result beyond doubt when he scored on 75 minutes to complete his hat-trick with a great finish.

Good performances on the day also for Belvo included Terry McAuley who was commanding at centre back, while Kevin Cornwall and Andy Montgomery ran the mid-field area.

Also impressive was Luke Halpin, who lead the line up-front for Belvo and caused problems all day for the visiting defence.

At the final whistle, it was Belvo who advanced comfortably to the 3rd round of the Leinster Youths Cup with a comfortable 3 - 0 win.

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With both teams unbeaten in the league so far this season, this fixture promised to be an exciting one and it certainly didn't disappoint. The early part of the match was tight as both teams fought hard to gain control of the match.

However, it was Belvedere who scored first on 20 minutes when Terry McAuley headed home an excellent cross from Kevin Cornwall, following a great passing movement down the right flank.

Saint Joseph's battled hard and they equalised on 35 minutes, before taking the lead just before half time.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, provider for Belvo's first goal became scorer of the second when Kevin Cornwall chested down a clearance just outside the Joey's box, before hammering the ball to the back of the net.

With the bit between their teeth, Belvo went in search of a winner, and it was duly delivered on 75 minutes by Luke Halpin who headed home Andy Montgomery's superb cross from the left.

Belvo went on to create a number of other good scoring chances but failed to increase their lead before the full time whistle.

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The weather on Sunday at Fairview Park turned out to be fine and so was the football from Belvedere Under 17's Premier who proved to be too strong for Major Division side, Saint Joseph's Boys, in this FAI Under 17 Cup tie.

Belvo were two up within four minutes of the start, thanks to well taken goals from Sean Foley and Stephen Nolan.

With the result never in doubt, Belvo went on to dominate the rest of the match with some excellent passing football.

Goals from Luke Halpin and Keith Delahan in quick succession saw Belvo increase their lead further, five minutes from half time.

After the break, it was more of the same from Belvo, as the visitors struggled to compete with some fine displays of swift passing and moving.

Belvo went 5 - 0 up when Stephen Nolan converted a penalty kick, before new signing Kevin Cornwall scored two fine goals within the space of a few minutes.

Next on the score sheet was Robbie Preston with a super strike on goal, followed by Nolan who completed his hat-trick with a great finish from Kevin Cornwall's excellent cross.

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