Match Report: Co Armagh Juniors claim victory over Leeds at Seahaven

Jul 23, 2018 | Junior Section

Co Armagh’s junior side got their Super Cup NI campaign off to a superb start with a deserved victory over a talented Leeds Utd side in Portstewart.

 

Leeds came out of the block quickly, with William Fewster forcing a good early save from Connor Byrne in the Armagh goal after 4 minutes.

 

The first goal of the game came in the 6th minute, with a mass scramble in the box following a great ball in from a corner resulting in Oisin Conaty poking in from close range.

 

Leeds responded well, with Folefac Efuetajong going close with a rasping 20 yard shot that was just shy of the top corner.

 

Armagh were inches away from doubling their lead in the 25th minute, a swift breakaway resulting in Conall O’Callaghan’s shot being cleared off the line by the Leeds Utd centre half.

 

Armagh had grown into the game at this point and were enjoying the lion share of the possession and the chances. Only a strong wrist from the Leeds goalkeeper preventing Oran O’Kane’s volley from nestling in the back of the net.

 

Leeds were on the ropes at this point, only another superb defensive clearance off the line preventing Michael McConville from making it 2-0 on the stroke of half time.

 

HT: Co. Armagh 1 – Leeds Utd 0

 

The county side started off the second half as they had finished the first, only a heavy first touch and a good peace of goalkeeping denying O’Callaghan in the early minutes of the first half.

 

Leeds midfielder William Fewster was proving to be the danger man for the Yorkshire side, with some superb work on the edge of the box allowing Joe Littlewood to fire a shot towards goal that was tipped round the post by Byrne.

 

The pace of Liam Toman on the wing had been causing problems for the Leeds defence throughout the entire match, with great wing play resulting in a cross-come-shot in the 56th minute that could have easily ended up in the back of the net on another day.

 

Despite their domination of the game Armagh could have conceded a sloppy equaliser late on, Byrne again proving his worth in the Armagh goal with a wonderful double save.

 

The men in orange finally secured the victory they deserved in the dying embers of the game, Darren Robinson curling in a superb shot that nestled in the top corner.

 

The victory stands Armagh in good stead going into their clash with Dundalk SL tommorow. Leeds will have to bounce back ahead of their fixture against Chilean side Colina if they are to keep their Super Cup dreams alive.

 

FT: Co. Armagh 2 – Leeds Utd 0

 

Line Ups:

 

Co Armagh: 1. Connor Byrne, 3. Dane McCullough, 4. Sean Conlon, 6. Oran O’Kane, 7. Tommy Smyth, 10. Oisin Conaty, 11. Liam Toman, 12. Michael McConville, 14. Jamie O’Flagherty, 16. Adam Garvey, 18. Conall O’Callaghan

 

Leeds Utd: 1. Murtadha Al-Jahadhmy, 2. Emmanuel Amissah, 3. Liam Baker, 5. William Brook, 6. Folefac Efuetajong, 8. Luke Harrop, 10. Ethan Kachosa, 11. Joe Littewood, 13. Aaron Pilkington, 14. Taylor Ragan, 15. Maximus Rigby

 

Jonathan Brown

@JonnyBrown_96