United teach students a lesson
MALLOW United Juniors had a great win over fellow title contenders UCC at the Farm last Sunday morning.
In what was a fantastic team performance, Mallow started the game well playing against a strong wind, which UCC tried to work to their advantage. On the half hour mark, however, great play from the Mallow midfield saw Adam McGrath send Keane Buckley through on goal with the skilful winger shooting low and hard only for the UCC keeper to parry the ball into the path of the awaiting Anthony Bowles, who slotted home to put Mallow 1-0 ahead.
As the game progressed UCC enjoyed possession of the ball for prolonged periods but the Mallow outfit stood firm. The Mallow defence was outstanding on the day with Lucas Sheehan giving a man of the match performance and the visitors hitting the students on the counterattack with the front four of Jack Singleton, Dylan McAuliffe, Anthony Bowles and Keane Buckley posing a constant threat.
On the 87th minute mark the result was made certain when midfielder Aaron Tuohy broke from inside his own half before finishing low and hard past the UCC keeper to make it 2-0 and give Mallow all three points, moving them into second place in the table and keeping their title hopes alive.
Ballincollig got the better of Mallow United U/16A boys in their Division 1 league fixture at the Academy Pitch on Sunday morning.
Mallow started well in what was a very competitive game and went ahead 1-0 midway through the first-half after a good move saw the ball find its way to Ben O’Connor on the right of the Ballincollig 18 yard box who finished well past the keeper. Both teams created opportunities as the first half progressed, but the score remained 1-0 at the half time break.
In the second half Ballincollig increased the pressure on the Mallow goal and got the equaliser they deserved. Mallow responded well by upping their game in search of a winner after the equaliser but despite dominating possession they failed to create clear-cut chances.
Ultimately it was the visitors who took all three points as a Ballincollig counter-attacked in the last-minute saw them go 2-1 ahead as it remained at the final whistle.
In a competitive division where each team is capable of taking points off each other the Mallow boys still have all to play for.
Mallow United U/17 Boys moved to the top of CYL Division 2 with a 4-0 win away to Castlebridge Celtic with goals from Senan Long (2), Ruairí O’Dea and Mohammed Alraai.
Mallow are level on points but have a superior goal difference to Ballinhassig who have a game in hand on their rivals.
Mallow United U/18 Boys dropped 3 points on the road to Youghal United in CYL Division 1A, going down 3-1 with Shayne Browne on the scoresheet for Mallow.