U18 Womens sponsored by Cloud 9
CWSSL Evening Echo U18 Women’s Cup Final
Turners Cross, Friday 30th April 2010, 7.00 p.m.
Wilton United 3 – 0 Ballincollig
Heartbreak for Ballincollig as failure to take their chances cost them the chance to win the CWSSL Evening Echo U18 Cup against Wilton United. A missed penalty summed up the performance where luck wasn’t with the team in green on the day.
Ballincollig U18 Women's Team
Wilton justified their favourites tag with their strong start to the game. Their two centre midfielders controlled a lot of the play and Ballincollig struggled to get to grips initially. However the Ballincollig defence marshalled by one of the two Irish internationals in the team, Zoe Murphy, dealt comfortably with anything that came their way. As the half progressed Ballincollig began to dictate the game and opened Wilton’s defence up on several occasions. However often the final pass was poor or the wrong option was taken which meant.
After a sustained period of Ballincollig pressure the Wilton number 8 played a great ball down the right flank which split the ‘Collig defence. The centre forward, who had been showing nice touches throughout the game, was onto it in a flash. Her pace gave her the time and space to bury it into the bottom corner. Ballincollig didn’t let this deflate them and continued to play good football but at half-time it was Wilton who were still one goal to the good.
The second half was more of the same with Wilton content to defend their lead and Ballincollig pushing for the equaliser. Wilton got a second but Ballincollig kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a penalty. Unfortunately the Wilton keeper pulled off a fantastic double save and from the resulting counter attack Wilton almost scored. You were left with the feeling it wasn’t going to be Ballincollig’s day.
Ballincollig pushed and pushed but it wasn’t to be and Wilton ran out winners on a three-nil scoreline. There was no shame in this defeat for Ballincollig and the girls can hold their heads high for having done the jersey proud. Well done to Wilton on their win.
The U18 Women’s team face Wilton United in the CWSSL Evening Echo U18 Cup on Friday the 30th of April in Turners Cross with a 7 p.m. kick-off.
The favourites tag has to go to the Premier side but Ballincollig are not going up there to make up numbers. Get down and support your own and here’s hoping Ballincollig cause a massive upset by bringing the Cup home.
U18 Womens
CWSSL Evening Echo U18 Division
Regional Park
Ballincollig 3 – 2 Wilton United
A great win for Ballincollig that displayed all the best characteristics of the club with skill, determination and a desire to win securing all three points in this top of the table clash.
It was Wilton who scored first but Karen O’Connell got the equaliser for Ballincollig ten minutes before the break. She bravely dived in ahead of the Wilton keeper to stick an Amy Wilson cross into the back of the net leaving the sides on level terms at half-time.
In the second half it was Ballincollig who took the lead when one of the team’s Irish internationals, Stephanie Murphy, picked her spot and shot the ball home from outside the box. Wilton aren’t challenging for league honours on the basis of their nicely coloured jersies though and found an equaliser. However it was Ballincollig who got the decisive goal and took all three points.
Ellen Jackson took down a cross from Karen Murphy. She sidestepped the defender and buried it past the keeper into the bottom corner. A great win for this fine group of players. Best for Ballincollig on the day were Zoe Murphy, Brea O’Callaghan and Wendy Cahill. Keep it up girls.
Last weekend, our eager under 8s travelled down the Model Farm Road to play Wilton on their fantastic all weather facility. First blood went to the away team when Ryan Forde went on a superb solo run to slam home his first of four goals. Both teams were very evenly matched, but Ballincollig had outstanding goal keepers. Brian Smith in goals for the first two periods was brilliant. Kara Lacey showed she’s just as tough and brave as any boy with some great stops to her credit in the second two periods. Wilton found it very difficult to get the ball past the Ballincollig team. Our other starlet Ciara Healy, who only recently joined, really enjoyed her first taste of what it’s like to play for Ballincollig AFC – well done Ciara.
Eoin O’Callaghan was our box-to-box player on the day and ran his heart out for his team. Jonathon McLean and David O’Keeffe again showed their true mettle with some sterling defending and last ditch tackling. Callum Kearney put in a great days work closing down Wilton at every opportunity. Matthew Bourke’s clever play and clinical pass let in Ryan Forde for his last goal. After all the drama the game went to penalties and the deciding penalty was scored by Jack Doyle, who rifled his shot home to the bottom left corner. Kara showed us why she’s the boss by bravely pulling off some excellent saves.
For the second match Ballincollig settled much better. James McArdle made some good attempts at goal in the first half. Ronan Hennessy made some good saves and Ryan Crowley and Aaron Meade-O’Hanlon did some terrific work in defence. Despite the best efforts of the team Ballincollig were down a goal at half time. Sean O’Hanlon-Lane put Wilton under pressure putting in some great tackles in midfield, along with Jason O’Connor. At the beginning of the second half Ballincollig introduced their ‘impact subs’ Evan Cooke and Paul Cooney. With Stephen Wills dominating midfield the ‘impact subs’ gave Wilton a torrid time with Evan Cooke slotting home a nice pass from Paul Cooney. In the last gasp of the match Paul Cooney managed to curl in a ball from the far right hand side of the pitch to give a well deserved victory to Ballincollig
