SupercupNI

[derryblade]

SUFC U15 began their campaign in the Junior section of the Super Cup NI against Club NI at Scroggy Road Limavady. Torrential rain started before kickoff but thankfully stopped before the match kicked off, the pitch looked like a bowling green and the rain had made it ideal for football.

The early stages showed we had threats down both wings Flyne and Kelly causing the NI fullbacks several problems without finding a telling cross. The back four looked solid and mobile Foulstone and Neal with good awareness and winning most of the headers. Hard working in midfield with Weaver and Allerton winning tackles and positive going forward.

A free kick by Weaver found Foulstone which he knocked back across the area, Ackroyd swivelled and put the ball in the bottom right hand corner to give United a deserved 1-0 lead. Within minutes United were awarded a penalty, a strong run down the right hand side of the box caused a NI defender to clip our player and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Weaver stepped up and smacked the ball to the right, unfortunately the goalie chose right and pushed the ball away.

The missed penalty didn't affect the lads they remained on the front foot and NI were working hard but didn't cause our back four or keeper any serious problems. From another free kick Foulstone used his height and smashed a header against the bottom of the post , he had a good game defensively and offensively as the first half whistle blew.

United continued to take the game to NI, again getting joy down both wings without getting the final pass to the strikers. It was certainly getting combative in midfield with the referee having words with players from both sides. Allerton made a run from midfield found by team mate went beyond the defender took the ball around the goalie and calmly slid the ball into the net making it 2-0 and breathing space.

Immediately NI made three substitutions to try and get back into the game. This was NI best period of the match Dewhurst our goalie made a brave save at the feet of an NI player to stop the run, as the ball spun free the player got the shot away but a block sent it past the post. A bizarre situation nearly led to NI pulling one back, a bad pass back put the goalie in trouble, in attempting to save the corner the NI robbed him and put the ball in the net, thankfully the linesman had already awarded the corner.

NI where getting frustrated now and after a string of niggling fouls the NI number 10 was booked. Another pinpoint pass found Ackroyd, who had been a thorn in the side of the NI defence all day, as the goalkeeper came towards him he chipped him to make it 3-0 and secure the 3 points for the Blades.

A organized hard working unit, solid at the back, tenacious and inventive in midfield and plenty of movement up front thoroughly enjoyed the game. The large crowd included a load of scouts Chelsea, Man Utd, Villa to name a few and two from SWFC boo.

Tomorrow we play County Donegal NI, who drew 0-0 with Southampton today we were down to play Club Veracruz but they must have dropped out.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Thanks for the report , and if it's any help it pisses rain most days over here .

 

[vorpal blade]

Scroggy Road, I've never seen the word before, but it suggests heavy rainfall.

 

[maidmarion]

It's not going to rain in Limavady on August 13th.......my son is getting married that day, I've ordered sunshine.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Scroggy Road, I've never seen the word before, but it suggests heavy rainfall.

Makes frackin' sound desirable

 

[vorpal blade]

soggy with a bit of craic

 

[derryblade]

SUFC played their second game in the Super Cup NI against County Donegal in Port Stewart {by the seaside} at the Warren playing fields, decent flat playing conditions rain threatening .

United started the brighter moving the ball quickly again both wide players attacking the fullbacks on every opportunity. From one surge a pinpoint cross found Capello who lashed the ball home giving the goalie no chance. to give United an early lead. This seemed to be a wakeup call for Donegal. Dewhurst our goalie made a decent save from a stinging shot, our opponents now had more of the play and from a corner a Donegal header was deflected in the net off a United defender to level the scores. We seemed to have lost our shape and Donegal capitalized on a miss hit clearance which dropped to a Donegal player who's first time strike crept under Dewhurst into the net to put the Blades 2-1 down.

United regrouped and Flyne did well out wide turned the fullback but volleyed over. United gained a corner, a well worked routine pulled defenders to the near post and a late run by the number 3 Foulstone of United at the back post found his head which he dispatched into the roof of the net to make it two each. United finished the half on top attacking but not giving the Donegal keeper any problems

The second half started with United setting the pace and a ball over the Donegal defence found Ackroyd who went around the goalkeeper and calmly put the ball into the net to give the lads the lead. The Blades had taken control of the game, putting attack after attack together but not finding the finish testing the goalie only from distance. Donegal mounted a rare attack, they scored but was clearly off side. The free kick was moved quickly found Kelly in the area which he drove into the goal and celebrated with his team mates. The quality of the delivery had been a positive in both of the games all taken by Weaver and from another well struck corner our number 3 Foulstone a defender rose the highest to head in the fifth and the final whistle blew.

Again a thoroughly enjoyable game, not just because we won the game, but watching two sides at different moments in the game intent on going for the win. Very little backwards and sideways passing, the first thought of the players to look forwards, not hoof but ball into space or feet .

Tomorrow we play Partick Thistle who have lost their two games, hopefully we won't be complacent and continue with our present form and secure our third win. There are 26 teams and the points you gain decides which part of the knockout section you progress to. Finishing 1-4 puts you in the Super cup, 5-8 the Globe, 9-12 the Vase, 13-16 the Bowl, 17-20 the Salver and 21-26 the Shield. We have a good opportunity of getting into the top four, we need a win but goals could be a factor so here's hoping.

 

[derryblade]

SUFC played their third game against Partick Thistle at Clough Ballymena again the pitch looked ideal for football weather was overcast but dry.

The team marched out in a read training and no numbers, it turned out Thistle had turned up with an all white kit which clashed with our kit (last year's white pin stripe) the referee allowed the lack of numbers on the shirts.

The Blades started strongly again, a recurring theme in all three games, quick passing and both wingers spreading the play from the off. From one of these breaks Ackroyd was picked out and put the ball past to the delight of his team mates. With Thistle struggling to cope with the constant attacks a cracking cross from Flyne again picked out Ackroyd out and he calmly beat the goalkeeper to give us a 2-0 lead. Caapello was the next Blade to test the Thistle keeper and only a cracking one handed save kept the score down. Another cracking baall into the box brought out another top drawer save from Ackroyd, unfortunately the ball dropped kindly for Flyne who promptly smashed it into the net to give United a three nil lead which they thoroughly deserved.

United continued to swarm towards thee Thistle goal in waves , Capello had two back to back attempts, one straight at the keeper and one the keeper pushed around the post one handed Hazza from midfield hit the ball from 25 yards rattling the underside off the bar and bouncing the wrong side of the goal line a cracking effort. A clearance from our penalty area found Ackroyd he drove towards the Thistle goal but with Capello free and screaming for the ball Ackroyd couldn't find him. United were totally dominant in the first half and 3-0 was nothing more than they deserved.

United made two substitutions at the start of the 2nd half obviously with more games coming up. The lads continued to push forward and Capello broke past the Thistle defence and fired a rasping shot at goal only to find the goalie who gratefully held on to it. We made another substitution Clarke was four foot nothing and looked about 12 years old, but almost immediately he went into crunching tackle despite his height.

The flurry of changes seemed to give Thistle a bigger share of the play, a loose pass allowed Thistle player to drive forward and only a finger tip save by the Blades keeper Dewhurst stopped Thistle reducing the arrears. After another Blades change, Partick did pull a goal back the winger got the better of our defence down the left hand side and the cross found a team mate near post who got across the defender and slid it home 3-1.

Almost immediately United restored the three goal advantage with another poachers goal from Ackroyd, which he followed soon after with a cracking header goal bound cleared by the Thistle defender. With the game won Ackroyd was taken off clearly with the next game in mind. United were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, central, despite a 5 man wall Kelly drove the ball over wall and into the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance to make it 5-1. Thistle had another effort that beat Dewhurst but cracked the bar. The referee blew for time another cracking effort by the team, 5-1 was no more than they deserved. This result confirms their place as 2nd in the final table having won all three games scoring 13 and conceding 3, they finish behind Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico) who had a GD of +14. We now play County Londonderry in the semi-final of the Super Cup NI at 7pm on Thursday while Chivas Guadalajara play Right to Dream (Ghana) in the other semi. It will be a tremendous effort if they can reach the final, here's hoping.

 

[derryblade]

SUFC played in the semi-final of the Junior Super Cup NI against County Derry with a chance of securing a place in the final the last United team to that included a certain Harry Maguire. The game was played at Coleraine FC stadium there was a decent crowd to support Derry thankfully there was no rain.

The first chance fell to United a speculative shot blazed over Derry bar by Allerton. Derry responded with a header which thankfully dropped in our goalkeepers hands. We weren't has industries in midfield as in the previous games and Derry were winning to many 50/50 challenges and too much of the second ball.

The next to chances then fell to United Ackroyd set up Neal but he couldn't finish. again Ackroyd was the provider setting up Flyne which he again didn't capitalize on two golden chances that hopefully we won't regret. Derry had another header again the player put it past our post, certainly a concern the amount of headers they were winning in our box and in midfield.

We seemed relax a bit more as the game went on, from a corner Harriott had a free header and again missed the target, it was beginning to feel like one of those days. Cappello tried to find Ackroyd but put to much on the pass. Another cross found a Derry head but luckily found Dewhurst our keeper. Ackroyd who had scored three in the last game was living on scraps, being provider rather than being provided with decent opportunities,

Strange half we rarely had the control we have enjoyed in the previous games yet have had three golden opportunities but have not been clinical enough. First minute 2nd half Derry winger bettered our left back but blazed over. We were still getting joy down the wings Cappello knocked a ball across 6 yard box no one made the run, same player crossed Flyne knocked ball back across goal nobody had read it made a run.

From the goal kick the Derry substitute out muscled our defender and drove into the box his shot hit the bottom of the far post and spun in the net, the Derry celebrated as did the crowd. United had to respond quickly.

Another cross from Cappello found three United players scrapping for the ball nobody could put the ball away, in the scrap a Derry player sustained a bad leg injury and had to be stretchered from the pitch, our physio ran on to supply leg splints to secure the lads leg.

United kept pushing for the equalizer but Derry were denying them space and time Cappello brought a cracking save from the Derry goalie. With time running out Dewhurst our goalie came for a free kick won the header knocking it back across the Derry but again failed to take the chance and the whistle blew.

Disappointing result, a case of having chances but falling to the wrong players, taking nothing away from Derry they were certainly up for the game, won a lot of the midfield battle and too much second ball.

It's a bit of an anticlimax but we have to play Chivas Guadalejara in a 3/4 place game tomorrow at 1.30 pm, hey ho so near.

 

[8lade]

Excellent reporting Derry, thanks.

 

[derryblade]

SUFC returned to Clough Ballymena to play their final game in the Super Cup NI in a 3/4 playoff game against Chivas Guadalajara from Mexico who lost the other semi-final to Right to Dream 2-1, so it promised a decent game on a sunny day.

Chivas started the game the quicker forcing two quick corners, the first was cleared by our defence the second was won by Chivas and headed towards goal but easily caught by Dewhurst the Blades goalie. United responded with a drive from Marbridge which flew past the post, Cappello won a corner, Neal took it Chivas cleared to the edge of the box where Marbridge volleyed at goal which the keeper palmed away for another corner which came to nothing.

Brown our fullback hand balled a pass that had evaded him and the referee awarded the spot kick, the Chivas player took the kick but Dewhurst chose to dive the right way and saved and held the ball at his right hand post and was wildly congratulated by his team mates.

From another Neal corner a United player won the header towards goal but a Chivas defender cleared off the goal line. The first half had few chances for both sides each cancelling each other out, United needed to pick up the pace of the passing and the final ball needed to improve.

The second half with a long ball by Chivas Dewhurst our goalie didn't collect the ball the ball dropped to another Chivas and his attempted chip was brilliant cleared off the line by a Blades defender. Flyne our wide player was getting lots of the ball and having the beating of the fullback but he couldn't find a telling pass or shot.

Cappello on the opposite wing darted towards the box was fouled the ball dropped to a United player with an opportunity, unfortunately rather than the referee playing the advantage he brought the ball back, the free kick came to nothing. A snap shot by Allerton found the goalie, he was having a cracking game, breaking play up in the middle of the park, making surging runs, looking to feed Ackroyd in down the channels.

Chivas had another effort over the bar a recurring theme United keeping them down to long range strikes.

Cappello made a telling run, fed Marbridge who did tremendously well to find Ackroyd who swivelled on a sixpence and volleyed the ball past the keeper who didn't have a chance in hell of saving it the players all jumped on the scorer in celebration. Allerton did what he had been doing throughout the game knicked the ball in midfield drove towards the box fed in Ackroyd whose first time shot came off the base of the right hand post, unlucky. Allerton was winning free kicks in the Chivas last third and running down the clock with his strong searching runs from drawing the fouls.

With only minutes to go a Chivas player found space Dewhurst stood firm and saved it point blank, with the Chivas player striking the rebound goal wards Dewhurst finger tipped it around the post for a corner tremendous double save. The Chivas keeper came up for the corner, actually won the header but thankfully put it over the cross bar, from the goal kick the referee blew for time and the lads celebrated securing 3rd place in the Super Cup NI.

After the disappointing result in the semi-final the young Blades picked themselves up and gave a strong performance to beat a decent Mexican side. On a personal note I have enjoyed seeing two United sides over the past two weeks playing attacking football, technically very good, a good work ethic, disciplined and well coached by the travelling coaching staff a credit to SUFC.

Well that's all folks hopefully the Blades hierarchy will send teams to next year's Foyle and Super Cup's there is a good standard of player and both are well organized and well supported by the Northern Ireland public.

Right to Dream beat County Derry 3-0 to win the Junior Super Cup NI