Foyle Cup

[derryblade]

SUFC have two teams entered in the Foyle Cup in the U12 and U13 age groups this year, the U12 where supposed to kickoff at Leafair Derry at 1pm I later found out their flight times meant they couldn't play at that time, and it was rearranged for 3pm. Unfortunately that clashed with the U13 game so I couldn't get to both, bad start, the U12 managed to start their campaign with a 5-0 win against Letterkenny & District U12 hopefully I will see them in action tomorrow.

So I had to settle for watching the U13 at Prehen 1 in Derry at 3pm, the pitch was in good condition on a sunny Irish day. They were up against a Tristar FC U13 team in their first game. There were quite a few names in the squad I recognized from last year, we entered several lads who were only 11 and 12 last year in the U13 so they were still within the age group.

The game was a slow burner neither side creating any goal mouth action of any note. United were giving a lot of free kicks away especially down our right which affected the flow of the game, our coaching staff were trying to cut it out.

The first decent phase of football by Utd resulted in a break down our right Jeffers knocked a teasing cross into the Tristar area and was met by Mahovo who gratefully nodded it into the left hand corner of the net well worked goal. Rather than being a springboard for the team it again became scrappy Utd again guilty of silly fouls, Utd taking Jeffers of apparently for that reason, Fidler was cautioned for another clumsy tackle.

Tristar grew into the game and equalized with a sharp break down our left us short of cover a drven ball into the area was dispatched into our net to make it 1-1.

The second half needed to improve, we made several changes and that appeared to work the passing crisper and the silly fouls cut out. We managed to snatch the lead again, the shot coming through a crowd of player I think Mahovo got it but not sure. The team were on the front foot now, Dickinson drove a nice shot into the bottom corner, Colton added fourth to cement a good second half performance. The first half was probably the result of arriving late at the pitch and only having a ten minute warm up. Whatever , still a good start for both age groups so roll on tomorrow.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I always preferred Foyle's War.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

Trophy’s made o’ tin foyle?

 

[georgethecat]

Good start for both teams. Seems they have not entered the supercup NI this year

 

[Lmaobob]

Phil Foyledon

 

[Bashar Al Asaba]

SUFC have two teams entered in the Foyle Cup in the U12 and U13 age groups this year, the U12 where supposed to kickoff at Leafair Derry at 1pm I later found out their flight times meant they couldn't play at that time, and it was rearranged for 3pm. Unfortunately that clashed with the U13 game so I couldn't get to both, bad start, the U12 managed to start their campaign with a 5-0 win against Letterkenny & District U12 hopefully I will see them in action tomorrow.

So I had to settle for watching the U13 at Prehen 1 in Derry at 3pm, the pitch was in good condition on a sunny Irish day. They were up against a Tristar FC U13 team in their first game. There were quite a few names in the squad I recognized from last year, we entered several lads who were only 11 and 12 last year in the U13 so they were still within the age group.

The game was a slow burner neither side creating any goal mouth action of any note. United were giving a lot of free kicks away especially down our right which affected the flow of the game, our coaching staff were trying to cut it out.

The first decent phase of football by Utd resulted in a break down our right Jeffers knocked a teasing cross into the Tristar area and was met by Mahovo who gratefully nodded it into the left hand corner of the net well worked goal. Rather than being a springboard for the team it again became scrappy Utd again guilty of silly fouls, Utd taking Jeffers of apparently for that reason, Fidler was cautioned for another clumsy tackle.

Tristar grew into the game and equalized with a sharp break down our left us short of cover a drven ball into the area was dispatched into our net to make it 1-1.

The second half needed to improve, we made several changes and that appeared to work the passing crisper and the silly fouls cut out. We managed to snatch the lead again, the shot coming through a crowd of player I think Mahovo got it but not sure. The team were on the front foot now, Dickinson drove a nice shot into the bottom corner, Colton added fourth to cement a good second half performance. The first half was probably the result of arriving late at the pitch and only having a ten minute warm up. Whatever , still a good start for both age groups so roll on tomorrow.

Have Derry City moved back to the Brandywell yet? I've always fancied going over to watch them.

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

SUFC have two teams entered in the Foyle Cup in the U12 and U13 age groups this year, the U12 where supposed to kickoff at Leafair Derry at 1pm I later found out their flight times meant they couldn't play at that time, and it was rearranged for 3pm. Unfortunately that clashed with the U13 game so I couldn't get to both, bad start, the U12 managed to start their campaign with a 5-0 win against Letterkenny & District U12 hopefully I will see them in action tomorrow.

So I had to settle for watching the U13 at Prehen 1 in Derry at 3pm, the pitch was in good condition on a sunny Irish day. They were up against a Tristar FC U13 team in their first game. There were quite a few names in the squad I recognized from last year, we entered several lads who were only 11 and 12 last year in the U13 so they were still within the age group.

The game was a slow burner neither side creating any goal mouth action of any note. United were giving a lot of free kicks away especially down our right which affected the flow of the game, our coaching staff were trying to cut it out.

The first decent phase of football by Utd resulted in a break down our right Jeffers knocked a teasing cross into the Tristar area and was met by Mahovo who gratefully nodded it into the left hand corner of the net well worked goal. Rather than being a springboard for the team it again became scrappy Utd again guilty of silly fouls, Utd taking Jeffers of apparently for that reason, Fidler was cautioned for another clumsy tackle.

Tristar grew into the game and equalized with a sharp break down our left us short of cover a drven ball into the area was dispatched into our net to make it 1-1.

The second half needed to improve, we made several changes and that appeared to work the passing crisper and the silly fouls cut out. We managed to snatch the lead again, the shot coming through a crowd of player I think Mahovo got it but not sure. The team were on the front foot now, Dickinson drove a nice shot into the bottom corner, Colton added fourth to cement a good second half performance. The first half was probably the result of arriving late at the pitch and only having a ten minute warm up. Whatever , still a good start for both age groups so roll on tomorrow.

Sounds like Dinamo Minsk were well impressed with their surroundings in Derry

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/d...ds-and-high-profile-police-presence-1-8568853

 

[georgethecat]

Have Derry City moved back to the Brandywell yet? I've always fancied going over to watch them.

Yes they are now back in the brandywell

 

[derryblade]

The U12 played Draperstown Celtic in their 2nd game at St Columbs Park in Derry, the early signs suggested Utd could score a few goals today as they were camped in the opponents half. Wilson made a strong run set up McQuillan who buried it in the net, the one way traffic continued and after several misses Bointon scrambled the ball over line to make it 2-0. Bennett stole the ball and dispatched into the right hand corner for the 3rd, the keeper made a decent stop from Wilson but it fell to Kiwomya for his first after missing several decent chances to make it 4-0. Kiwomya had another shot saved by the keeper but Kebe was quickest to react and make it 5-0. 1st half had been one sided and the lads could add several more in the 2nd half.

Again Utd showed no signs of taking the foot off the pedal, a great ball in from the right Bennett managed to get a head on it to guide it home for number 6, Bennett returned the favour for Spence to nod in and make it 7-0. Wilson latched onto a ball and drove it into the top corner 8-0, Utd were delivering some quality crosses from either wing and one from the left allowed Kebe to poke the 9th from close range. Storr added another two, one a tremendous chip over the keeper and a poachers goal from another great cross.

Draperstown kept going to the final whistle and didn't resort to fouling the lads who were quicker and organised throughout.

The U13 played their 2nd game at Templemore Swilly against SOPYC in Derry. Again the lads started on the front foot and could have scored in the first attack a teasing cross by Clarke was missed by Mahovo who was inches away from connecting. It wasn't long before the goal came Chapman picked the ball just outside the area and smart finish into the left hand corner made it 1-0, the 2nd followed from a pinpoint cross to Lee who calmly made it 2-0. A corner was cleared by SOPYC to the edge of the box Fidler promptly volleyed it back into the net for the 3rd, a few more chances came but the 1st half finished at 3-0.

Utd again came out looking for more goals, a nice pass across the area set up Mahovo to volley home in the top right hand corner 4-0, another great cross by Iwunze, a recurring theme in both Utd teams, was met by Colton who powered it home 5-0. Again searching crosses allowed Coupe and Lee to make it 7-0. That completed another performance by the team from back to front while scoring goals they never gave a sniff of scoring. Onto tomorrow another double win will mean they are both still in the frame for the main silverware.

 

[derryblade]

U12 played their third game at Wilton Park Derry against SOPYC who also hadn't dropped a point or conceded a goal so it was a crunch game in group B a win would mean playing a knockout in the Foyle Cup the top category . Utd started well and a good move nearly resulted in an early goal for Kiwomya but he was fractionally offside. He didn't have to wait long for another opportunity good work by Jeffers on the right pinpoint cross found Kiwomya who made no mistake and gave Utd the early lead. We nearly added a second but our onrushing players couldn't quite connect with the ball, another half chance came and went from a decent cross by Bennett. The first half had been a tight affair, lots of free kicks breaking up the rhythm of the game but we went into the break with the lead.

The 2nd half started with a good run by Kiwomya but the keeper made a decent save, SOPYC immediately broke away found acres of room and their player scored with a neat finish to level it up. An even game now SOPYC seeing more of the ball and Utd mot keeping the ball as well as they had done in earlier games. They still managed to dig out a good ball to the right Storr who crossed the ball with precision onto the head of Bennett who gratefully nodded it into the net to regain the lead. Kebe had a powerful run from the halfway line into the box but blazed the ball over the bar. With seconds to go Utd got themselves into a right tangle on the left and the defence and keeper allowed an SOPYC to nip in and make it 2-2, the referee instantly blew the whistle. Definitely a more competitive game for the Blades and that late equalizer may have eliminated them from the Foyle Cup and left them to contest the Foyle Plate.

SUFC U13 played their final game in Group B against Bertie Peacock U13 at Oakland in Derry, they had won their first two games only conceding one goal so it was probably going to be their sternest test. In the first few minutes Utd created two chances both fell to Lee snapshot on the turn went wide and a move involving Dickinson and Chapman set up Lee but he just couldn't connect with the ball.

Our opposition had two chances of their own, a cross and a header just over the bar and a corner headed off our goal line fell to a player who blazed it over, close call. Our next attack was a delight good wing play by Jeffers cross and a cracking finish by Mahovo to give us a lead. End to end stuff at the minute Lee had a shot palmed out by keeper. Utd then had a total mix up, we cleared a shot off the line ball fell to an opposition player and with the goal gaping he fired it over. Utd responded with a cross by Jeffers and a decent header by Dickinson which the keeper palmed away. Enjoyable 1st half both sides trying to win the game, certainly the hardest test we have had.

Brilliant start to the 2nd half a cheeky chip over the defender found Mahovo who calmly picked his spot to make it 2-0 and some breathing space. Dickinson was controlling midfield always finding space and calling for the ball. this was Utd's best period of possession and creating half chance for Lee and a cracking free kick by Mahovo the keeper turning it around the post at full stretch. The opposition were certainly still in the game and squandered an open goal flashing it wide and repeated the miss by hitting the post minutes later big let offs for the Blades.

They paid for their missed chances when Utd had a corner a deep cross was headed back across goal which Colton tucked away 3-0 to the delight of the players and staff. The icing on the cake followed involving the standout players, from a free kick Dickinson slipped a measured pass inside the fullback to Mahovo who slipped it past the keeper to complete his hat trick and make it 4-0.

A cracking game, Utd took their chances Bertie Plunkett didn't but they certainly gave the Blades a few scares we now play Craigavon City in the Foyle Cup in Donegal tomorrow thankfully there isn't a hard border yet

 

[Maidenhead]

Thanks for the updates derryblade

Much appreciated.

do we know the U12's fate yet?

 

[DazBlade88]

Thanks for the updates derryblade

Much appreciated.

do we know the U12's fate yet?

Looks like they're playing Foyle Harps in the 'Plate' today.

13s play Craigavon City.

 

[derryblade]

SUFC U12 play Foyle Harps at Lifford Celtic ground in Donegal, this a result of the late equalizer yesterday which eliminated them from the Foyle Cup, the major trophy, and meant they were now competing for the Foyle Plate. Nevertheless if you are in it, let's win it.

An early injury to Ayub meant a substitution and Magness came on as the replacement. Utd started the better and broke away finishing with a shot by Bennett which was easily collected by the keeper. Again we broke away and another decent cross found Witham who looped a header over the keeper to give the Blades the lead. Kebe tested the keeper but caused the keeper no problem, another cross from the right by Storr caused havoc and the defender nearly put it in his own net but was saved by a goal line clearance. Down the right again, good interplay resulted in a fierce drive that went just wide of the left hand post. United controlled most parts of the first half and had no defensive scares.

Again we came out on the attack forcing three corners half chance from each one but couldn't quite convert. Harps had a rare attack with our keeper rushing out the striker chipped it over him but thankfully it bounce past the post. United shaded the overall play again but it was scrappy and mostly played in the middle of the park, not a great deal of tempo, may be tiredness getting to the lads having played four games on the trot. With the clock running down, Harps got in a right mess in their own area and Kiwomya took full advantage to put the Blades 2-0 up and the final whistle blew. Good team performance, dug in when they had to and hardly gave the opposition a sniff of a goal. The lads now play Oxford United at 1pm on Friday if they triumph in that game they will be in the final of the Plate on Saturday.

The U13 played Craigavon City at Moville Bayfield ground Donegal the locations haven't fell kindly to get from Lifford to Moville is a good stretch of the legs. Missed the first 20 minutes because of this, but talking to the Utd coaches i was told we had already scored twice, Mahovo scoring his 8th goal of the tournament , Wilder looking for a striker ? and Lee chipped in with the other. United were doing all the pressing and this caused a mix up in the City area and Lee was first to react and score the third. This carried on to the halftime whistle with City causing very little to cause us concern.

Early corner fell to Clarke who's volley hit the corner of the post and crossbar unlucky. Chapman was causing havoc down our right going past the defender on most occasions and delivering some quality crosses just asking to be knocked into the net. From one of these he found Lee who finished in the left hand corner of the net to make it 4-0. He supplied another cross which Colton couldn't quite get over and steered it wide, repeat move this time Lee couldn't take the chance volleying over.

A searching pass from midfield found Jeffers who selflessly squared the ball for Coupe to tap over the line for the fifth goal, It was one traffic now one way traffic, Chapman was at it again, first shot beaten out but Colton reacted the quickest to make it 6-0. The Blades had a late scare free kick outside our area, but it was wasted with a wild drive sailing over the bar. Chapman crowned a cracking attacking display with a goal in the final seconds to complete a good team performance and a 7-0 win. The U 13 now play Donegal SBY at the Brandywell Showground at 1pm Friday, sods law they both kick off at the same time so I will be reporting on the U13.

 

[blademanc]

Thanks for the reports -how strong do you reckon the current u12/u13 age groups are compared to previous years?

 

[Maidenhead]

Sounds a bit harsh the U12's being eliminated with 2 wins and a draw.

Was goal difference the decider?

 

[derryblade]

Thanks for the reports -how strong do you reckon the current u12/u13 age groups are compared to previous years?

The U13 this year where the U12 last year and 8 of the squad have been retained from last year and they won the U12 Foyle cup last year. You can see they have a good team ethic and are technically better this year. This years U12 have the same organization and technically they are better than some of the teams they have come up against there are a few that look promising and with Pemberton and the other coaching staff they can only improve.

 

[derryblade]

Sounds a bit harsh the U12's being eliminated with 2 wins and a draw.

Was goal difference the decider?

There were more teams entered this year 40, ten groups of four so you couldn't have all the group winners go through, so it was the first best finishes and unfortunately there were eight teams who won all their three games and they went into the Foyle Cup. By conceding that late goal they qualified for the Foyle Plate which consists of eight teams in a straight knockout, so there is still a chance of a cup.

 

[Maidenhead]

There were more teams entered this year 40, ten groups of four so you couldn't have all the group winners go through, so it was the first best finishes and unfortunately there were eight teams who won all their three games and they went into the Foyle Cup. By conceding that late goal they qualified for the Foyle Plate which consists of eight teams in a straight knockout, so there is still a chance of a cup.

Cheers mate.

I get the Plate scenario having played in a lot of rugby sevens competions.

Thanks for the explanation too.

 

[derryblade]

Semi-final day for the U12 who play Oxford Utd to reach the Foyle Plate final and the U13 to reach the Foyle Cup final both kick off at the same time so I will watch the U13 play Donegal SBY at the Brandywell Showground.

United were out of the blocks and put Donegal under pressure straight away, having won a corner the ball was knocked to the back post and headed back Iwunze reacted the quickest and gleefully knocked it home to give the lads an early lead. The Blades were at it again winning a free kick on the edge of the area, Mahovo grabbed the ball stepped up and put it over the wall into the left hand side of the goal great finish to continue his scoring run and give us a 2-0 lead.

Attack after attack now, Jeffers robbed the fullback but couldn't find a team mate, Chapman turned the defender shot at goal unluckily hit the foot of the post the rebound came quickly to Lee but he couldn't keep it down and it flew over the bar. Iwunze had another shot scrambled around the post for a corner, Dickinson had a rasping shot, Clarke hit the rebound and hit the post but Lee was on the front foot and tucked it away for a 3-0 lead.

They were relentless, good interplay down the right freed Chapman who calmly made it 4-0, Iwunze made a surging run into the box drew the defender and slipped the ball to Lee who spun off the centre half and popped it in the left hand corner for 5-0.

Great team performance from one to eleven, controlled the whole first half and 5-0 didn't tell half the story, lots of complimentary comments from the spectators .

Great run by Blade defender, apologize didn't get his number, ran from box to box leaving the Donegal players in his wake, centred the ball and Lee managed to get ahead of the keeper to steer it home tremendous goal to make it 6-0. The second half carried on as the first half one way traffic. Dickinson had a drive which had the keeper scrambling and he clawed it around the post. Another corner, headed off the line, again it was a Blade who managed to get the second ball Chapman getting his reward and the seventh goal. Several more chances came went but it remained at seven, again a controlled performance throughout the team defensively and offensively. The final awaits against Global Premier Soccer on Saturday at the Vale Centre at 12-30pm, hopefully this squad will raise the trophy, a good number of this squad won the same trophy last year at U12 level.

The U12 won 4-0 against Oxford Utd and progress to the final of the Foyle Plate against Glentoran at the Brandywell Showground at11am, so if I get a fair wind I might get to both.

 

[Digger]

Thanks for all the reports, appreciated.

 

[derryblade]

Final's day for the Blades the U12 kick off first at 11am at Brandywell Showground against Glentoran. Talking to a guy before the match he said they had been unlucky not to progress in the Foyle Cup as they had won their three group games and had missed out on goals difference so they were put in the Plate and he fancied them to win it.

Slow start by United, scrappy in possession and second to the first and second ball. Glentoran looked comfortable in possession and when the ball was played across the 18yd box the 15 ran onto it and curled it into left hand top corner, good finish. The Blades were under the cosh now the opposition launching attack after attack, our keeper had turn a rasping shot around the post. The lads needed to get some decent possession and try and take the pressure off our defence. Our keeper was called into action again and had to concede another corner, the halftime whistle couldn't come soon enough for the Blades. Certainly need to improve in the second half, we never troubled their keeper in the 1st half but to be fair the Glentoran lads were physically stronger and technically as good if not better than us and we were lucky to be only one down.

Glentoran came out with guns blazing stinging the hands of our keeper who nearly spilled it into the net but managed to recover. We finally managed a shot at goal but Ashton screwed the shot and it went well wide. We seemed to be dragging ourselves into the game Storr got away and crossed the ball but Bennett couldn't direct the ball goal wards. Glentoran always looked dangerous in the offensive half and a switch of play from left to right found 11 in space he drove into box and planted it into the left hand corner 2-0. They nearly made it 3-0 as good one touch football through our centre backs released a player but thankfully our keeper made a good save. Our first shot on target was easily saved, we had dug in second half and tried to make a game of it. Utd finished the last few minutes with a flourish but Glentoran ran out deserved winners. Decent campaign by the U12 but they came up against a decent side today, hopefully they will take some positives from the game and push on.

Quick dash across Derry towards Limavady to the Vale Centre ground for the final of the U13 Foyle Cup against Global Premier Soccer at 12-30 kick off, the majority of this squad won the Cup at U12 level last year so here's hoping they do it a U13 level.

Global started the quickest, the Blades unable to get any decent possession , a misunderstanding our left resulted in the Global to nip in and tuck poor goal to concede. They came again and earned a free kick on the edge of our box, dangerous situation, poor delivery saw it sail over the bar to safety. We started to get a foothold in the match Dickinson orchestrating the midfield, a good ball released Chapman who tested the keeper with a decent shot, Mahovo was the next to test the keeper who fumbled the ball into the net but he recovered. United were in the driving seat now and deep cross found Chapman on the left and a clinical finish pulled the Blades level.

Mahovo had the next strike making the keeper scramble along his line to tip it around the post, Chapman was getting more success down the left now crossed to Lee who just couldn't get around the ball to direct it in the net and it crept past the outside of the left hand post. Dickinson was dictating the centre of midfield now and with Mahovo and Chapman linking down the left Utd were pressing to get the second goal. After a slow start United had took a firm grip on the game and looked the more likely .

The Blades started the better, good run by Fidler took him into the area but he couldn't find a team mate. United had a good weapon in a long throw with Iwunze who launched it into the area aiming for Dickinson level with the front post, the referee blew and pointed to the spot, demonstrating that Dickinson had been held from jumping. Mahovo stepped up confidently sending the ball into the left hand corner with the keeper going to the right to give the lads a deserved lead.

A drive by Coupe was deflected by a defender and had the keeper struggling to palm it for a corner, a rare attack by Global ended with a snapshot well over the bar. Global had come more into the game now without causing the Blades any serious problems. Again used the long throw but Dickinson could only back head it straight to the keeper, repeated minutes later with the same player being pulled up for a foul. Global conceded a free kick on the edge of the box, Mahovo stepped up but drove it into the wall. the ball was then switched from right to left and a driven shot was palmed away by the keeper, the referee blew the the whistle and the lads celebrated winning the U13 Foyle Cup.

Enjoyed watching both squads this year but the U13 have been a class act, technically very good and able to dig in when required and thoroughly deserved to win the Foyle Cup other spectators have commented on their quality which was pleasing to hear. Both squads have been credit to the club and themselves no prima donna's on show, the coaches have been supportive to the lads and continually giving advice and direction throughout the game and clearly they are doing a fantastic job. Are there any future stars, if they apply themselves as they have this week there's every chance and hopefully they will ply their trade in SUFC first team for a few years, we can but hope.

That's it for another year, no United entry in the Super Cup disappointed with that but won't stop me watching it and enjoying the teams and quality on show.