Cullybackey College’s Senior football team made an unfortunate early exit from the NI Cup, following a defeat by a highly talented Corpus Christie side, which included a number of future Irish League stars.
Playing on an artificial surface, on a windy day was always going to pose problems for both sets of players and it was the Falls Road men who made the brighter start. The deadlock was broken on the 25th minute, a strike aided by the wind deceived goalkeeper, Denver Thompson, to give Corpus a 1 – 0 lead. It could have been 2-0 before the break, but for a fantastic save onto the crossbar by Thompson and some resolute defending from the back four. It stayed 1-0 until the second half, where the pressure started to gain and eventually a second goal was followed quickly by a third.
A consolation goal of the highest standard was almost scored, when Simon Evans went on a solo run before crashing a 20 yard strike off the underside of the crossbar and bouncing out of danger. Captain, Christopher Rock, and Tommy Moffet worked tirelessly in the middle of the park, however, in the end they couldn’t stop Corpus grabbing a fourth goal before the final whistle.
Special mention should be made to the 5th Year debutants who battled bravely until the final whistle.
