Chances were at a premium in a cagey, physical encounter at the Coleraine Showgrounds with most of the game being fiercely contested in the middle third.
The County side started brightest winning a corner in the first minute which was easily cleared. They continued their bright start with a long range free sailing over the bar.
The dominance would continue with Evan McLaughlin firing over the top from range. The Foylesiders continued their dominance the tenacity of Evan Price clear for all to see as he continually came out the right side of 50/50 exchanges.
Price would dink the ball towards Daylan Farren, his effort was easily gathered by Eoghan O’Sullivan. The American side struggled to get to the intensity of the game, Gabriel Adebambo was caught in possession Ben Moore’s shot was easily saved by O’Sullivan.
Moore was again at the forefront with a great driving run from defence, on the counter attack however the play came to nothing. First Choice Soccer had their first attack on the twentieth minute Adebambo shooting to the right and wide of the post after patient build up from his team.
Their promising spell continued into the twenty fifth minute of the game. However, another county attack from the Walled City men a, Nathan McCrudden strike almost ending up in the net after a spill from the FCS goalkeeper.
HALF TIME: CO.DERRY 0-0 FIRST CHOICE SOCCER
The second half would get off to a scrappy start neither side creating much. The first opportunity of the half falling to the North West side Evan McLaughlin’s shot sailing over the bar.
Two minutes later in the forty eighth minute Job Bondo would pull the strings in midfield for First Choice playing a delightful pass with the outside of his boot to switch the play. The resulting cross easily dealt with by the defence.
The referee’s whistle would sound to bring an end to a game where chances were at a real premium resulting in a titanic battle in the middle of the finely groomed pitch.
Teams;
First Choice Soccer: Sean O’Meara, Jackson Dickson, Josh Mellon, Odhran Braniff, Eamon O’Brien, Mark Hanratty, Jamie Kavanagh, Andrew Omobamidele, Job Bondo, Andrew Quinn, Gabriel Adebambo. Subs Used: Jamie Redmond, Andrea Nguionza, Jack Henry.
Co.Derry: Ben Moore, Cormac McGinley, Nathan McCrudden, Scott McDonald, Evan McLaughlin, Daylan Farren, Tiernan Devine, Ryan Kennedy, Caolan McCloone, Evan Price, Daniel Smyth. Subs Used: Matty Pajack, Ryan McCaul, Jack Devenney, Blake Morrison, Ryan McIntyre.
Credit, Odhrán Crumley @odhranc14