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Extra-time win for Sion Swifts under-11s

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Sion Swifts under-11s 4, Oxford under-11s 2 (AET). SION Swifts under-11s entertained Oxford in the Derry and District second place play-off and what an entertaining game it was. Swifts won 4-2 after extra-time.
With goalkeeper Daniel Boyle pulling out due to illness, Anthony McCullagh was called upon to do nets at short notice and he did not disappoint with an accomplished display.
Oran McCrossan started brightly and took on the Oxford defence several times, but he then had to come off due to illness. However, despite the setbacks, the Swifts team put up a great performance.
Swifts dominated the first half with Niall McGinley commanding the middle of the park, Tom Mullen and Cameron Coyle going close on several occasions. The Swifts defence of Kyle McCarron, Jamie Burke, Mark Roarty and Daniel Lindsey, in particular, were excellent and limited the Oxford attackers to very few shots on goal.
After the break, an excellent throughball from McGinley found Oran McGill, who coolly slotted home from the edge of the Oxford box. Oxford quickly got back on level terms, following a corner and a superb overhead kick.
With five minutes to go, despite their dominance, Swifts went behind. However, Swifts kept pressing, driven by the excellent Niall McGinley and Cameron Coyle in midfield.
Swifts won a corner and following a goalmouth scramble Oran McGill was on hand to slot the ball home for his and Sion's second.
Tactical change
The game went to extra-time. Swifts made a tactical change, moving Mark Roarty up front and he started creating havoc for the Oxford defence. Swifts won a free-kick 25 yards out and from a very difficult angle Niall McGinley bent the ball into the top corner to give Swifts the lead.
Swifts fourth goal was fantastic - an excellent through-ball by Tristan Mullen found McGill, who lobbed the keeper from 25 yards with a first time shot.
Coaches, Kevin Boyle and Martin Gallagher, were delighted with the result and the commitment of the entire team. Daniel Lindsey was excellent in defence, Cameron Coyle and Jamie Burke both put some effort rotating the centre midfield role.
Niall McGinley dominated against one of the top teams in the league and showed that he's up there with the best. Oran McGill had a superb game, scoring a hat-trick. Tom Mullen gave the Oxford defence a torrid time with his pace. Tristan Mullen had his best game to date for Swifts, fighting for every ball and his link-up play with the forward line was excellent, particularly for the fourth goal. For Oxford, Daragh Haughey had a good game.

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