Wesley's juniors mirrored their senior counterparts in virtually every way as they retained their title with a 3-0 win at Grange Road this afternoon. They beat the same opposition, a young St Andrew's junior team, on the same scoreline with all the goals, once again coming in the second half.
The game opened in controversial fashion with both sides reduced to ten-men inside six minutes. David McCrea was first to go to the bin for, as last man, taking a high-ball over shoulder height with an Andrew's forward in behind the sweeper.
And Jake Beirne followed him to the line 75 seconds later after he took three bites at a flying Tom Samuel, unable to get a clean tackle on the flying Irish U-16 player.
Both sides cancelled each other out during the ten-v-ten period and, restored to full strength, Andrew's got the first sight on goal when Tim Blythman fortuitously stole the ball on halfway, allowing him a clear run on goal.
Rob Fitzgerald, though, stood tall and made a hard stick-save look easy. That chance appeared to awake the powerful Wesley forward line, with Shane Madeley blasting just wide and Nick Armstrong clipping over.
McCrea saw a high drag-flick batted away by Jakim Bernsden before Samuel's run and shot, skimmed the outside of the post on the stroke of half-time. Indeed, the physically stronger Wesley dominated the period before the break but found an Andrew's backline well-commanded by David Cole and Conor Stephens.
Their resolve was broken, however, just a few minutes into the second half as Samuel 
(pictured, tracking Ravin Nair) got the goal his captain's performance deserved when he showed real composure to take a touch from a baseline pull-back and roll into the backboards from eight yards.
(pictured, tracking Ravin Nair) got the goal his captain's performance deserved when he showed real composure to take a touch from a baseline pull-back and roll into the backboards from eight yards.Madeley fired in a drag which Cole picked off nicely before Armstrong struck the side of the goal as chances came thick and fast but it was a moment of real quality that eventually sealed the game.
Jonathan Lewis got it, finishing a good move with a delicate touch to lob the on-rushing Bernsden. And Armstrong added the finishing garnish with a superb blast from the D's edge which zoomed off the inside of the post and in to complete an impressive day's work.
* For more pictures from the Wesley vs St Andrew's game, click here
20 comments:
Very big good strong wesley team though Andrews put up a good fight and didnt deserve to lose by 3 goals on the day. Some very young players on Andrews team. Dave Cole star player for Andrews
Very strong powerful Wesley team. But credit to Andrews, they put up a great fight and were unlucky - better team won though. Thought Maher was brilliant for Andrews. As so Stephens and their keeper (who was excellent on the short corners).
player of the match tom samuel by far!! i have a question....if david mccrea was sent off for taking a ball down over his head then why was lee cole not sent off for the same affence?
because lee wasnt in his own 25 with a player behind him
thank you thats what i said!
I would think it was because mccrea was the last defender and an Andrews player behind him would have been one on one with the Wesley goalkeeper whereas when lee received the aerial ball he was on an attack and had nearly the whole Andrews team behind him when he took it down.
the rule behind tat is if the player interferes with a pass to some behind him n is not bein marked its a yellow
Sutton Park were simply irrepressible in Under 13 Final.A one nil victory doesn't really emphasise their dominance over a spirited opposition. In Mark Bergin they had the outstanding player on the pitch while Richie Duignan's goal was exquisite. Well done to all the lads and coaches.
tom samuel definatly man of the match. thought both stephen nolan and fiachra maher were very good for andrews too! mccreas sending off was harsh but that is the rule unfortantly. You would expect a green there! You cant deny he was class when he came back on!
Neutral
Wes were very impressive. Andrews never really got a chance but they did hang in well, and didn't deserve the scoreline. All 3 yellows were fair, and set the tone for a fair and open game.
conor quinn the wesley goalie came on in the second half. He played really good. Made a really good save at an importanat time for wesley.
any predictions for john waring????
Thought all the Andrews lads worked unbelievably hard. Ravin Nair threw in some brilliant tackles. Watkins ran himself into the ground - captains performance. Also credit to Codd. Did very well when he came on and could be a very useful player in the future.
Big improvement in a very young Andrews team - a lot tougher than when we faced them earlier in the season. Credit to the hard work Arul has done with these players.
Pool A
Wesley
Ashton
Cookstown
Pool B
Banbridge
Andrews
Bandon
andys wesley final again???? or maybe cookstown
wesley for super 6
Thought Wesley were the stronger side on the day and the score could have been bigger. Andrews defense was good.Thought there were strong performances from Tom Samuel, Alan White, Shane Madeley and both keepers.
Cookstown to win super 6's. Cookstown Hockey Club 1st XI only beat them 3-2 during the week. Although the town team were missing a few players the school team were missing stuart smyth and David Ames. Ames will be missed in John Waring but Ian Sloan is in great form.
Well deserved wesley. Very strong team. Tom Samuels led by example. Super performance
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