HOTSHOTS
SCHOOLBOYS SOCCER ROUND-UP Mighty ‘Mor in seventh heaven
THE ARGUS
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
P 4 4 4 2 3 3 2 2 2 3 1
P 4 4 3 2 2 3 2 3 2
W 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0
W 3 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 0
D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0
L 1 1 2 0 2 2 1 1 1 3 1
L 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 3 2
PTS 9 9 6 6 3 3 3 3 3 0 0
PTS 10 6 6 6 4 3 2 0 0 IT might be relatively early days but the all-powerful Muirehvnamor are looking like the heirs apparent to the Seasiders throne in the under-17 league
Inspired by a second successive hat-trick by striker Paddy Nicholson they brushed aside the champions with the same ease as they steamrolled Saint Dominic’s the previous Saturday, unleashing another goal spree on their home ground..
Nicholson in little more than a half an hour had completed his hat-trick as they got off again to a quick start, scoring in the first couple of minutes. Sean Hill another impressive performer fashioned the picture goal that yielded his teammate’s third goal.
He dispossessed a Rock player and curled in a peach of a cross from the right in behind the Rock defence for Nicholas to glide in between a couple of defenders to volley into the roof of the net from six yards.
It was a prime example of some exquisite play and finishing by the league leaders, with William Opuko, Moyo Bodunbasubo also making eye-catching contributions as well.
For a gallant Rock Bryan Soraghan in central defence and his partner for most of the game Kevin Campbell did all they could to stem the tide, with goalkeeper Paul O’Grady also having a fine game. Josh Todd’s accuracy from the deadball posed their biggest threat, and yielded both their goals.
Turning over four goals in arrears Rock launched a spirited rally and a teasing free-kick by Todd from the right was headed into his own net by the diving Oboom Onurbanjo trying to clear as it curled in at the back of his defence.
The home player made amends for his error later , cancelling out that goal, as his side took command again.
David Ekperouh weaved in along the Rock endline and his stinging shot hit the underside of the crossbar and flew across the face of the goal before Onurbanjo slammed the ball into the roof of the Seasiders net as Oisin Morrow’s cross was knocked down to him.
Back again Rock came for another free-kick by Todd to undo the home defence.
Campbell’s back headed flick brought a save from Precious Kent, who could only push the ball out to Adam Fee who forced it over the line.
Campbell shot inches past the post from distance, but Rock had several let-offs, not least when William Opoku leaped majestically in the goalmouth and seemed to do everything right heading the ball down only for it to bounce over the crossbar.
However, Rock’s luck ran out when Joshua Ayoub robbed Soraghan on the endline and raced in and with the smallest of gaps rammed a shot low inside the near post which O’Grady was guarding.
Opuko then rounded off the scoring with a goal of sheer brilliance. He ran at the heart of the Rock defence, and seemed to slip the ball inside to a teammate, but showed electric pace to zoom past a few defenders in close attendance and also his teammate and collect the ball to slam it into the roof of the net. MUIRHEVNAMOR: Precious Kent, Uche Ibeh, David Ekperouh, Oisin Morrow, Oboom Onurbanjo, Joshua Ayoub, William Opoku, Samuel Olaknbasubo, Patrick Nicholson, Oyo Bodun, Kutan Amau, Isaac Olaide, Sean Hill, Adris Agunsbiade, Conal Doyle, Mide Odubanjo.
ROCK Celtic: Paul O’Grady, Jay O’Hagan, James Kieran, Bryan Soraghan, Adam Fee, Luke Hoban, Sean Maguire, Kevin Campbell, Isaac McGahon, Josh Todd, Aaron McQuillan, Josh Connolly, Dennis Otabor, Ben Collier.