U16s start League Campaign with a win

U16s take all the points against local rivals Pembroke

A star studded YMCA Colts team took on Pembroke colts at the home of YMCA, Claremount Road, on Sunday. A few U14 boys were pushed into the fray and grew magnificently into the challenge as the game went on. YM got off to a strong start with some robust runs through the Pembroke midfield by Jack O’Grady and David Mawhinney.
However with all that pressure on Pembroke, YM struggled to trouble the goal keeper until the 17th minute whereby after sustained pressure and a bit of a goal mouth scramble, YM scored. Pembroke started to claw their way back into the game and with some no nonsense defending by little Richard Williams and Ben O’Grady whom cleaned up the Pembroke attack. Wanderers had a sharp chance late in the first half and after a scuffle in the YM box, YM launched a counter attack. Great ball movement, left to right passes, a carrying in field, numbers ahead of the ball and ended with a through ball to Jack O’Grady who dragged the ball passed the keeper and a simple push into the goal. Coach Jason Klinkradt said: “I have never seen a better coaching goal than that! It had all aspects of the training over the season and all the players executed it perfectly.”
Pembroke didn’t do themselves any favours by arguing at the umpire at the other end while Y broke with the ball.
YM went into the break 2:0 up.
The second half was a very cagey affair whereby Pembroke enjoyed large amounts of possession in the YM half. And converted a penalty corner early, which gave them hope and put the Y back on their toes for a couple of minutes. Nevertheless YM showed resilience and pushed on in the game and with a penalty corner straight from the training ground two nights before. Daniel Ellison rounded the corner off with a backhand deflection the landed high in the roof of the net. A truly beautiful goal to watch.
YM showed they were simply too good for Pembroke on the day and looked the stronger of the sides throughout the game and duly ran out 3:1 winners.
A special thanks must go out to the parents that braved the cold to watch YM, the boys did us all proud and we all look forward to seeing the baby Red and Blacks take the field soon.