Two games in Belfast GDC for Distillery U9s

LISBURN Distillery’s U9s latest game in the Belfast GDC saw them make the journey to Poleglass to take on Colin Valley.

The last time the boys travelled to this venue it was a bit of a harrowing experience as they didn’t play anywere near the standards they are capable of but Saturday was a different story.

The first period was really entertaining with both teams threatening to open the scoring, Kenzie Bradley was showing very quick feet to continually ask questions of the home rearguard and was ably assisted in midfield by the hard-working Calum Ashby but it was Colin Valley who opened the scoring somewhat against the run of the play with a well struck free-kick.

Period two saw the Wee Whites lose their shape a little and concede a few goals despite the heroics from goalkeeper Xander Power, but that proved only to be a blip as normal service was resumed in the third period despite losing hard working striker Louis McKinney to a nasty looking mouth injury.

Ben Gilliland was urging the boys forward from midfield and it was no surprise to see the goals come after a number of near misses with both Calum and Kenzie getting their names on the scoresheet.

It was then on to St. Malachys for a game against North Belfast. The Whites started off brightly with Spencer Maxwell continually carrying the ball out of defence and feeding livewire winger Conall Cunningham who in turn was causing mayhem in the opposition defence and it was surprising that the first period ended goalless.

The deadlock was broken in fine style with a superbly worked team goal, Jake Donaghy picked the ball up in central midfield and played it into Noah Kelly, Noahs superb first time lay-off found Bradley Ingram who had timed his run to perfection, Bradley burst through on goal and gave the keeper no chance with a powerful finish.

North Belfast then had a very strong period when they got a goal of their own indeed goalkeeper Lewis Doyle had to be on top of his game to stop them adding to their tally. Period three was just as exciting with both teams getting a few more goals and the game ended in dramatic fashion with a frantic scramble in the Distillery goalmouth which saw Lewis,

Noah and Jake all make important blocks before the ball was eventually hacked clear by Bradley. A fitting end to what was a very entertaining encounter.