Foyle Cup

[derryblade]

SUFC began their U12 campaign in the Foyle Cup against Maiden City AC on very warm sticky afternoon at Wilton Park in Derry. Pleased to see the squad contained three tallish lads, as in the last few years most of our squads have mostly contained vertically challenged players. Unfortunately the team played in last year's away kit without numbers on the shirts which made identifying individuals from the programme a tad difficult.

From the first kick the team looked well drilled and aware of their individual jobs. good movement in attack, midfield competitive going forward and defensively , the back four keeping a good line and pushing high up the field when attacking.

An early goal set the pattern for the first half, with the young Blades totally in charge adding another three goals to make it 4-0 at the break with three goals from Oliver Arblaster (cracking name that) good goals from midfield, and a goal from Antwoine Hackford the striker who had good movement, decent touch, good pace and held the ball up allowing midfield to play off him. Maiden City had few chances, the best a free kick confidently push round the post by our goalkeeper.

The second half started as the first, two quick goals from Antwoine Hackford finished the game as a contest even though our coaching staff had made three substitutions at halftime. Maiden tried to make a game of it but created very little and hardly tested our goalkeeper. Antwoine Hackford added a 7th and Oliver Arblaster scored his 4th to complete the scoring at 8-0.

I am sure there will be sterner tests to come, but the performance was very good, the team controlled the game in every area, there should have been more goals, but the movement and awareness of the players at U12 level was impressive.

Tuesday we play Carniny Youth who lost to Inishowen YL 6-0 who we play on Wednesday.

 

[Silent Blade]

An early goal set the pattern for the first half, with the young Blades totally in charge adding another three goals to make it 4-0 at the break with three goals from Oliver Arblaster (cracking name that)

Related to Brian who was in our books in the mid 1960s before having a long career at Barnsley?

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

8-nil, 8 bloody nil

Nice one - sounds like a decent squad.

Thanks for posting

 

[Sharrowblade]

SUFC began their U12 campaign in the Foyle Cup against Maiden City AC on very warm sticky afternoon at Wilton Park in Derry. Pleased to see the squad contained three tallish lads, as in the last few years most of our squads have mostly contained vertically challenged players. Unfortunately the team played in last year's away kit without numbers on the shirts which made identifying individuals from the programme a tad difficult.

From the first kick the team looked well drilled and aware of their individual jobs. good movement in attack, midfield competitive going forward and defensively , the back four keeping a good line and pushing high up the field when attacking.

An early goal set the pattern for the first half, with the young Blades totally in charge adding another three goals to make it 4-0 at the break with three goals from Oliver Arblaster (cracking name that) good goals from midfield, and a goal from Antwoine Hackford the striker who had good movement, decent touch, good pace and held the ball up allowing midfield to play off him. Maiden City had few chances, the best a free kick confidently push round the post by our goalkeeper.

The second half started as the first, two quick goals from Antwoine Hackford finished the game as a contest even though our coaching staff had made three substitutions at halftime. Maiden tried to make a game of it but created very little and hardly tested our goalkeeper. Antwoine Hackford added a 7th and Oliver Arblaster scored his 4th to complete the scoring at 8-0.

I am sure there will be sterner tests to come, but the performance was very good, the team controlled the game in every area, there should have been more goals, but the movement and awareness of the players at U12 level was impressive.

Tuesday we play Carniny Youth who lost to Inishowen YL 6-0 who we play on Wednesday.

Thanks derryblade, my lad was selected to go, but we're away in Spain. I knew the score but it was nice to read a report. Ollie's a cracking player.

 

[Digger]

Thanks for that.

 

[derryblade]

SUFC U12 played Carniny Y U12 at St Columbs Park in Derry on another sweltering humid day again our kit had no shirt numbers. The young Blades again started brightly taking the game to their opponents, controlling position and moving the ball quickly. The first goal wasn't long in coming good work from Slater feeding a pass into Walker who finished with a volley. Antoine Hackford added a second with a clinical finish. At the back Chapman and Potter were comfortable breaking up the few attacks mounted by Carniny, while Green in the midfield gave a tigerish display breaking play up and setting up our attacking play

A corner resulted in the centre half Potter powering a header into the net. Arbaster scored a well worked team goal and celebrated with his team mates. The game got even worst for Carniny with Hackford laying a ball into the path of Slater who finished with a deserved goal for a good attacking performance. Another pin point pass found Hackford who beat the defender for pace rounded the goalie to make it 6-0 at halftime his 7th in two games.

Changes were made at halftime not surprising with temperature which had resulted in numerous water breaks. The Blades added 7th with a free kick from 20+ yards from Harrison with a cracking drive. The conditions had an effect on the tempo in the second half and we didn't score until the final second to make it 8-0 for the second game, apologies to the lad I didn't get his name.. Fair play to Carniny they kept going until the final whistle but were well beaten by the Blades who were well drilled inventive and controlled the game from start to finish. Wednesday we play Inishowen YL who beat Maiden City AC 2-0 our opponents from yesterday, this game will decide with part of the knockout stage we play in on Thursday.

 

[derryblade]

SUFC U12 played their final group game against Inishowen FC U12 at the Maginn Park stadium in Buncrana Donegal, the weather was cooler and overcast on a lovely playing surface. Inishowen as United had won both their games so something had to give.

The opening 10 minutes showed Inishowen would offer a sterner test and so this proved as they scored the first goal, the first the young Blades had conceded, it was a cracking drive from the edge of the box into the top corner. The lads responded from the restart with a cracking volley from Roberts to level it up. United seemed to push on from this goal winning individual battles all over the park, good grafting from Green and Arblaster started controlling the midfield while Potter at centre back kept the back four secure.

Potter got on the end of a cross and headed it into the net from close range to put United in front and deservedly so. A fantastic run by Fiddler from our half, took him past player after player, with everyone shouting for him to pass the ball he continued into the box and slotted it past the goalie, tremendous goal. That seemed to knock Inishowen and they ran out of ideas going forward until the 1st half came to an end.

The second half was scrappy from both teams, but United still had control and didn't have any major scares. United grew stronger towards the back end of the 2nd half, Hackfords pace took him away from the back four twice and couldn't find a team mate in the box to secure the game. With mintes to go Roberts put the game bed with a smart volley from the edge of the box.

Certainly the hardest of the three games, but after going behind they responded as a team and thoroughly deserved the 4-1 win. Thursday we play Glentoran FC in the knockout section, they have won all their games as well, scoring 32 and conceding none, obviously it sounds as if it will be a interesting game, we will see.

The 8th goal yesterday was scored by L Mohove.

 

[RealMcCoy]

Love the Inishowen peninsula! Must try and make my next trip coincide with the competition if young blades are going again. Great place for golf.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Keep these coming Derry, much appreciated. Love the way you don't hint at the outcome of the match in the 1st paragraph. Reading these is like watching MOTD having avoided the results all day!

 

[Sharrowblade]

Keep these coming Derry, much appreciated. Love the way you don't hint at the outcome of the match in the 1st paragraph. Reading these is like watching MOTD having avoided the results all day!

Agree. We're away on holiday but laddo is following his team-mates progress. He can't believe that Billy (Fiddler) has actually scored (lol).

If they get past Glentoran...they should win it

 

[derryblade]

SUFC Ui2 played Glentoran FC U12 at Prehen playing fields at the side of the Foyle in Derry on a cloudy but humid day. Going on results this would be the hardest test for the young Blades so far, Glentoran had a squad which had several tall players and looked physically more developed.

The game started slowly with both teams feeling each other out. It looked promising as Hackford our centre forward appeared to have the beating of the Glentoran centre backs as did Roberts on the right wing beating the fullback without delivering a telling cross. Hackford broke through and only a smart tackle stopped him scoring, the ball still broke our way but a defender on the line managed to scrabble it away.

United gave away several free kicks allowing Glentoran to launch the ball into our box and the height advantage of our opponents became apparent. A good corner found a Glentoran head which rebounded off our bar a scrabble ensued and they slotted it in the bottom corner to make it 1-0. Several similar situations occurred causing the lads all kinds of problems.

From our goal kick we failed to control the ball in midfield, the Glentoran player showed more strength carrying the ball beyond our backline and found the bottom left hand corner giving the goalie no chance to make it 2-0. From a corner of our own the ball travelled across the front of the Glentoran goal with three of our players failing to connect with the ball.

The lads needed half time to regroup as their opponents were controlling the game looking much stronger in the tackle.

We needed an early goal to settle the lads down and get back in the game. Unfortunately from our own corner the ball broke up field we failed to deal with it and showing good pace and strength the Glentoran lad powered past our defender and goalie to make it 3-0. Our goalie Richards made several good saves and was clattered on several occasions but carried on.

Certainly an uphill struggle now, the Glentoran looked stronger as the game went on, fair play to the lads they continued to battle but the difference in physical strength was becoming more apparent. From a rare attack the lads pulled goal back a cracking chip over the goalie by Slater .

Overall another decent performance by the young Blades, technically they are very good, organized and combative as were Glentoran, the difference in my opinion was down to the difference in physical development of the players. The Glentoran lads looked as if they had done regular shifts on their dads farms, they will definitely the team to beat.

We play Glenavon tomorrow hopefully the lads will pick themselves up and get a good result.

 

[derryblade]

SUFC U12 played their game against Glenavon U12 at Prehen 2 at the side of the Foyle in Derry, cooler day ideal for football. The Glenavon squad was similar in stature and physic as the young Blades a contrast to the Glentoran squad of yesterday, some blades who were there today informed me our squad consisted of three 10 year olds and an 11 year old so that probably explains the lack of meat on their bones. It was also mentioned that Glentoran had posted on social media that they had "sent SUFC home" bit sad that.

United were soon into their stride knocking the ball about with confidence, winning the ball all over the pitch one touch passing and intelligent running off the ball. A cracking corner was met by the head of Potter who knocked it towards the goal, defender on the line seemed to have cleared it off the line but the linesman signalled a goal. It was one way traffic now Hackford the centre forward had the pace to beat the back four but couldn't find a telling cross.

In the space of 10 minutes the Blades took control of the game, a smart finish by Harrison made it 2-0, Hackford was fed through and finished well to make it 3-0, Harrison scored his second with a strong run and finish. Hackford completed his hat trick with two more goals again using his pace and strength to make it 6-0 going into the break.

Pemberton the coach made changes at halftime changing the back four entirely, while still in total control United didn't add to their tally, Harrison had several attempts to score his third but shot over and wide with the chances he had. Glenavon kept going had two good chances which they failed to capitalize on.

Again a very good performance and a good response to the defeat yesterday. Final game tomorrow against Derry Colts who won their game 4-2 today, so all being well we should finish with another good performance.

 

[derryblade]

SUFC U12 completed their Foyle Cup programme against Derry Colts U12 at Leafair in Derry on top of a hill reminiscent of a cool windy game at Concord Park, the winner of this game would secure 5th place out of a starting pool of 32 so all to play for.

Again looking at the two squads they were all of a similar stature and development so hopefully United's organization and ability would see them achieve a good result.

The Blades started strongly taking the game to Derry, a speculative shot by Mohovo was misjudged by the goalie spinning out of his hands into the net to give us an early lead. The lads maintained their hold on the game moving the ball quickly, switching play and working the Derry back four. Numerous chances were created Mohovo pulled a good chance wide, Hackford again using his pace to get on the end of pinpoint pass dragged it wide. From an inventive free kick Harrison couldn't find the target, Potter from a great corner delivery missed the target head in hands confirmed he should have buried it. The corner kicks delivery have been a positive feature of the team, varied inventive, always beat the first defender and should have resulted in more goals, Pemberton ought to coach the 1st team on corners. Hackford found himself in several more promising positions but couldn't get the 2nd goal, through last gasp defending or making the wrong decision. The half finished with United in control strong in midfield solid at the back and plenty of movement up top.

Hackford fed in again was composed and slide the ball into the bottom right hand corner to make it 2-0 and settle any nerves. Good work between Hackford and Arblaster ended in a strike by Arblaster which didn't find the net. Derry toiled away but couldn't create much with our midfield and back four seeing any danger was snuffed out. Again good delivery from corners and free kicks should have resulted in more goals, Hackford had a point blank shot beaten out by the Derry goalkeeper who after his early mistake had kept his side in the game, credit to the young lad for that. The game finished 2-0.

Overall a great effort by the squad and the coaching staff, six games in 6 days must be tiring. They showed good technical ability throughout the squad, moved the ball quickly and with purpose, they certainly need to beef up quite a bit but there is a lot of potential in my opinion. We won five of the six games and only lost to the eventual winners of the U12 Foyle Cup Glentoran who beat Donegal SB 1-0 at the Brandywell the home of Derry City, so not too bad.

Well that's the Foyle Cup done, unfortunately (for you) SUFC have a team in the Milk Cup Junior Section and their first game is on Monday against Club NI in Limavady at 3.30pm.

 

[larkymasher]

Thanks Derryblade, really enjoyed the reports.

Can you do the same thing on the Milk Cup?

Top man.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Thanks for your reports Derry , enjoyed reading them , glad the weather wasn't typical Irish and pissing down .

 

[georgethecat]

Great reports. Many thanks. Keep it going for supercup NI.

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

Ah well.. Glentoran are proudly showing off their Cup now




Always find it interesting to look back on these 6-10 years down the line when you'll know if any look like making it or at least playing at a decent level.