Winning start for Year 8
Cullybackey College Year 8 football team tasted their first competitive game on Thursday (28/09) as they entertained Dunclug College at the Showgrounds. With a warm up game under their belt the previous week, the lads went into the game in good spirits, knowing that only a win would do to kick start their season.
A lot of players were in awe of their first game as a new team, but the experience of captain Sam Rock and midfield partner Joel Aitcheson spurred the team on, especially in the first fifteen minutes as they raced into a two goal lead. Step forward Isaac Wylie, the left sided midfielder powered home a twenty-five-yard free kick, which any of the seniors would have been proud of, to give his side the lead after eight minutes.
The strike duo of Rhyce Brown-Kerr and Luke McGaughey caused havoc with the Dunclug defence, linking well with darting runs and passes, with the only thing missing the end product of a goal. Callum Young was excellent on the right hand side, whilst in defence Tyler Boyd and Bailie King Hay were rocks as they dealt with any Dunclug threat. It was indeed Boyd who made it two nil, this time from the penalty spot after a hand ball. A this stage the boys were rampant in their play as half time approached.
The second half was a quieter affair as both teams began to tire after an energised first half. Brown Kerr sealed the win with a close range finish after good link up with McGaughey. Squad rotation was used to give all players a taste of the pitch, with the impressive Reece Christie making way for Andrew Hanna and Tyler Boyd making way for Harvey Shaw. Special credit must go to Josh Nicholl at right back, as well as Bryce Kinghay in goals, as both players kept the defence well organised.
Man of the match was Rhyce Brown-Kerr.
Next up is their Northern Ireland Cup second round match versus Glengormley High School on Friday 6th October, kick off 1.15pm.
