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Swifts under-15s fight hard for share of spoils

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Sion Swifts U15s 1. Coleraine Academy 1.

COLERAINE Academy were the visitors on Saturday and returned with a well-deserved point, following their National League under-15 clash with Sion Swifts, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Sion started the match on the front foot with Marty O'Neill tormenting the fullback on the left. On 10 minutes Rian McKelvey saw his free-kick float just wide. A minute later, the number eight for Coleraine had a great chance, but also shot wide.
Sion upped their game and a few chances went a-begging. Dara Guram's drive was well saved by the keeper after good link-up play with Shay Foley. Foley was involved shortly after when he provided a pass for Sean Lynch, whose cross was not met at the back post.
An O'Neill cross was attacked by Guram, but his header was cleared and another cross from the right by Lynch was met by the boot of Dylan Forbes, who watched his volley scream over the bar.
Eventually the pressure paid off when Conaire Stewart picked up the ball in midfield and delivered a great ball to O'Neill on the left. In Lionel Messi-style he tore the defence to shreds, leaving five lads in his wake and planted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
However, it was now the away side who took the game by the horns and had the Swifts on the back foot. Adhamh Bonner and Conaill McCrossan were working hard to curb the threat that was emulating on both flanks - McCrossan producing a marvellous tackle when the number six looked to be clean through on goal.
The Coleraine number eight got the second half off to an exciting start when he drove an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner.
Coleraine now moved their big men up to the forward line and Thomas McCallion and captain McKelvey now had their hands full, but they stood firm to a much more physical approach of the Bannsiders with Bonner and McCrossan sweeping up well on the flanks.
Lynch got injured and had to be taken off with Nathan McGillion joining Jordan Orr in the attack and almost immediately the duo combined when, after another cross-field pass by Stewart, the ball was picked up by Orr who instinctively sent a shot, which the keeper spilled, only for McGillion's follow-up shot to be pushed wide.
O'Neill then had another cross clip the crossbar and Orr's header sailed over from a pinpoint ball by Bonner. Ciaran Slevin and Tristan Roberts brought fresh legs and added bite to the attack and Orr had a shot saved after a throughball from Slevin.
The Swifts keeper, Conall McCormack, was not called into action until the last 10 minutes of the game and he proved vital in keeping the score as it was. Big Paddy Mullan, the Coleraine number nine, broke away from his marker and with only McCormack to beat sent the ball wide.
Soon after a Coleraine free kick rebounded off the Swifts wall and broke to their number eight, whose drive was brilliantly saved low by McCormack.
Another point in the bag for Sion and this one was well fought for. Coach Ryan Forsythe gave the man of match award to Conail McCrossan for his sterling performance. Sion Swifts would like to thank all the supporters who turned up and their sponsors: Aidan Caldwell, Tractor and Plant Sales, Hollyhill Road, Strabane and WH McCormack and Sons, MAN Commercials, Victoria Bridge, Strabane.
Next match is away to Ballynamallard this coming Saturday.

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