You can’t win them all.
Laurelhill U16s crashed out of the Belfast Cup Quarter Final in heartbreaking fashion to Rathmore.
Rathmore came flying out of the blocks and got off to the perfect start finding the back of the net in the first minute of the game. The goal did not serve as a wakeup call as Rathmore doubled their lead 10 minutes later.
It took a while for the boys to settle and get into a rhythm, on the 20 minute mark, Billy N finished off an excellent move down the left following brilliant link up play by Noah and Harry. Billy N confidently slotted the ball home to get Laurelhill back into the game.
Unfortunately a lapse in concentration, saw Rathmore add a third 2 minutes after Laurelhill scored.
Half time 3-1.
Again Rathmore started very brightly and ran into a 4-1 lead. However, Laurelhill finally started to raise their game. Shortly after the fourth Rathmore goal, Harry D got his first of the game with an excellent finish following great build up play by Jay B, Billy N and Max, 4-2. Five minutes later Laurelhill pulled another goal back, an excellent move that consisted of just five passes, resulted in Jay B playing a defence splitting ball through to Max, who smashed the ball across goal into the bottom corner, 4-3.
With the adrenaline following, Laurelhill were now first to every ball, the fight, passion and desire was clear to see. With 10 minutes left, Harry smashed the ball into the roof of the net after Rathmore failed to deal with an excellent delivery from winger James H.
Full time 4-4, a remarkable comeback!
Extra-time found the momentum with Laurelhill, chances for James H, Max and Jay all resulted in good saves from the Rathmore keeper. Rathmore had chances of their own and were constantly a threat from set pieces. A corner which was headed towards goal from two yards out seemed destined to find the net, somehow Laurelhill goalkeeper Charlie C pulled off an incredible save to push the ball round the post for another corner.
Injury to centre back Joel M, saw a delay in the corner, the delay caused some defensive confusion and with penalties just two minutes away, the corner was headed home from Rathmore. With 30 seconds left Laurelhill won a corner, with virtually everyone forward, Rathmore managed to clear the ball and counter with a sixth goal.
Unfortunately there will be no back to back Belfast Cup win for Laurelhill’s U16s but the effort, character and desire from the boys to come from 4-1 to bring the game to extra was remarkable and a fantastic example to all players at the college to never give up!
Thank you as always to all parents/guardians for their support.
We now focus our attention to our final competition of the year, the NI Plate, where we play Castlederg at the Bluebell on Wednesday 19th Feb.
Final Score AET:
Rathmore 6-4 Laurelhill
Goal scorers:
Harry D x2,
Max
Billy N
MOTM: Harry D.
Mr Smyth
