Youghal Utd U-14s 5 – Ballinhassig U-14s 2

Youghal Utd picked up a valuable 3 points with their second win in as many weeks over Ballinhassig. Following their 5-1 demolition of the Cork side in the cup, Youghal again showed what might have been this season if they could have fielded a full strength side throughout the campaign, which was blighted by one of the worst winters in decades.

Ballinhassig came to Ardrath Park with retribution on their minds and a stronger line up than the team that were dumped out of the cup. Their intent was clear from the opening exchanges; to get the ball as quickly as they could to their only potent threat – No. 9, Mary McGuane. Youghal, without striker Jess Lawton, who scored a hat-trick in the previous fixture, looked shot shy in the opening ten minutes and paid the price for a lack of penetration.

Ballinhassig drew first blood and the goal was as much due to Youghal’s inability to clear as it was to the visitors’ persistence. With the ball loose on the 18 yard line, Youghal’s defence failed to deal with the pressure and a sliced clearance fell to McGuane who still had work to do.

The tall forward advanced into the area only to be bravely thwarted by keeper, Jessica Swayne who was unfortunate to see her body block deflect the ball into the six-yard box where McGuane used all her physical presence to bundle the ball over the line. The goal was a wake up call for the home side and the response was immediate and graceful in its execution.

Receiving the ball from the kick off from Molly Schofield, Rachel Galvin shimmied her way through a bewildered defence deftly rounding three players and the goalkeeper to draw the sides level. This was followed by a series a fine interplays from Youghal who were now in the ascendancy. A one-two between Holly Twomey and Rachel Galvin almost paid dividends while a delicious lob from Ellen Benaim looked goal bound before sailing wide of the upright.

Kamilla Piecuch meanwhile was playing the game of her season with a brilliant display at left back to repel Ballinhassig advances typified by a last ditch crunching tackle in the area when it looked like Youghal were set to go a goal behind.

As in the cup game the sides finished the half 1-1. The second-half began as the first and again a failure to get the ball out of the area cost the home side. McGuane was the beneficary when she was played in to the right side of the Youghal area to slot home her second. 2-1 Ballinhassig. However, the visitors could not hold the lead and sucombed to a fantastic display by Youghal in the final 25 minutes.

Youghal continued to pass and probe. The game hinged on Nora Walsh’s advancement into midfield. Nora’s presence and growing influence was too much for the tiring opposition. After a powerful run that saw her advance deep into the Ballinhassig area she cut a hard low ball across the area where Holly Twomey’s touch was deflected by a defender and the ensuing scramble forced the ball over the line – 2-2. Ellen Benaim, Molly Schofield and Nora Walsh were now dominating the middle of the pitch and, in particular, Ellen’s supply to Holly Twomey and Rachel Galvin was causing havoc.

Rachel broke Ballinhassig hearts 5 minutes later with a beautiful strike from the edge of the area to put Youghal in front for the first time. Nora Walsh then made it 4-2 with a equally stunning strike that left the keeper rooted to the spot. Rachel Galvin then scored the pick of her three goals. The No. 7 took the ball from Holly and avoided a number of challenges. Just when it looked like she had lost her chance she lifted the ball over the keeper, her shot grazing the underneath of the bar and caressing the net.

At 5-2 Youghal were playing beautiful football and the move of the game should have resulted in a goal. Rachel Galvin took the ball wide before cutting it back to Holly Twomey. Holly’s control allowed her turn and roll the ball into the path of Nora Walsh who carried it into the area. Nora went for power only to see her effort rise over the bar. Holly Twomey came agonisingly close twice after following great combination play with Rachel Galvin.

There were some outstanding performances but, in truth, everyone played to a high level. With two league fixtures remaining the girls could finish in the top three of four but playing like this an exciting cup run could be on the cards.

Team: Jessica Swayne, Sarah Roche (Gemma O’ Brien 60mins), Katie Manning (C), Nora Walsh, Kamilla Piecuch, Emma Varney (Marie-Louise Keane 35mins), Molly Schofield, Ellen Benaim, Claire Keniry (Aoife Landers 35mins), Holly Twomey and Rachel Galvin.

Next match: Ardrath Park Youghal Utd  V  Innishvilla Saturday 27th.

Youghal U-14s Soccer Report -( Saturday Jan. 30th 2010)
Jess Lawton Hat-trick Sends U-14s Into next Round Of Cup

Youghal Utd 5 – Ballinhassig 1

The Youghal U-14 Girls Soccer team qualified for the next round of the Evening Echo Cup with a terrific victory over Ballinhassig at Ardrath Park on Saturday. The opening period saw little action but it was clear that the home side were gaining the upper hand. A stubborn Ballinhassig defence was finally breached when a great through ball from Claire Keniry was well controlled by Holly Twomey.The number 9 outstripped her marker and cooly dispatched a low shot beyond the keeper. Holly and Jess Lawton then combined brilliantly with a quick one two only minutes later only for the ref’s whistle to call offside. Holly Twomey again caused problems on the right wing, cutting in to beat two players to set up her strike partner, Jess Lawton. The number 10 struck first time but her effort skewed wide. Youghal tried to cease the opportunity to go further ahead but wasted chance after chance. Molly Schofield and Rachel Galvin were in total control of midfield. Molly should have been awarded a penalty when she was upended in the area but the ref waved Youghal appeals away. Jess Lawton, Rachel Galvin and Holly Twomey all had chances to make it 2-0 but failed to find the net. Fortune then fell to a battling Ballinhassig when a difficult ball was handled in the area and the visitors were awarded a penalty. With the scores now level, and half-time only minutes away, it looked like Youghal were going to pay for not taking their chances. All fears of a long frustrating second-half were blown away by an outstanding strike from Jess Lawton from the edge of the box. Her shot curled away from the keeper clipping the post on the way in. At 2-1 Ballinhassig began to fade. Anything they had to offer was repelled competently by this season’s most consistant performer, katie Manning. The equally outsanding Molly Schofield chased every ball and was relentless in support of the strikers. Jess Lawton made it 3-1 with another solo effort that saw her pick the ball up and run at the heart of the defence. Just as it looked like she had run out of steam, she drove the ball low and hard into the bottom left corner. The game was beyond Ballinhassig and Youghal were now playing their best football of the season. This was evident when Rachel Galvin made it 4-1. This goal was the best move of the match. It began with a lovely pass from Emma Varney to Molly Schofield on the right, Molly’s infield pass found Holly Twomey whose immediate back heel found Rachel Galvin on the right edge of the area. Rachel skipped two challenges to glide into the area and finish with great aplomb. Jess Lawton grabbed her third and Youghal’s fifth 6 minutes later when Aoife Lander’s pass set the forward up in space on the left edge of the area. Jess struck a high looping effort over the despairing keeper to cap a superb display. This performance was a long time coming from the U-14s and the task now is to keep up the standard in the next round where they will play either Kinsale or Killardnadrish. On this form they can beat anyone and it was a joy to watch but Ballinhassig, who come back to Youghal in two weeks for a league encounter, will be looking to avenge this 5-1 drubbing. All starting 11 players and 3 subs were excellent but the outstanding performers were Molly Schofield, Jess Lawton, Rachel Galvin, Captain, Katie Manning and Holly Twomey.