Cullybackey College’s Year 9 team fought back after their first friendly, for an excellent 2-1 victory in their League opener against Dunclug. After dominating the opening 15 minutes, the Pottinger Street men found themselves a goal down after a mix up in defence. Despite some skilful passages of play, the Cullybackey team couldn’t find an equaliser and went into the break a goal behind.
The Year 9 side again showed some patient football to set up a host of chances, but striker, Jamie Morrow, and skipper, Robbie Gilchrist, missed chances that both would have expected to score. Cullybackey goalkeeper, Nathan McMullan, was a bystander for most of the second half, but reacted well to reach a cross that looked destined for the back of the net.
Leon Coulter went agonisingly close, with two sublime long range efforts which just missed the target. As the game went into the final stages, defender Ben Turtle pushed forward in an attempt to get an equaliser. His powerful running was causing all kinds of problems for the Dunclug defence and with just 2 minutes left on the clock, he created the havoc that provided Cameron Kerr with the opportunity to equalise. Cameron showed composure as he placed the ball into the bottom corner, much to the delight of his teammates. In the final moments, the big midfielder netted his second and what was to be the winner, as he drove into the box before turning and rifling a shot into the top corner. There was still time for Charlie Knowles to display his skills and he cutely ‘nuttmegged’ his opponent in the corner, before firing a cross across the box.
A special mention to the year 8 players, Lewis Tennant and Cameron McMullan, who showed maturity and fantastic ability on their debuts for a promising Year 9 side.
To continue this good run, the boys know they must to come to training on Tuesday after school 3:30-4:15pm to develop even further, as they push for the league crown.