Match Report – SC Corinthians 2 v 0 Plymouth Argyle

Aug 1, 2014 | Junior Section

Corinthians progressed to the Milk Cup Junior Section final following a thoroughly professional display to see off the threat of Plymouth Argyle at Seahaven, Portstewart.

In truth, this rain soaked encounter on the north coast was all about the stunning display of the Corinthians number ten, Fabricio. The Brazilian playmaker threatened as early as the sixth minute, but despite showing expert control to bring the ball down out of the air, he drilled his shot just wide of the frame of the goal. Within ten minutes he rattled the cross bar and forced a fine stop out of Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

The South Americans continued to press and went close once more when Lugano found space on the right before delivering an exquisite cross in the direction of striker Ze, but the big number nine couldn’t direct his shot on target. Fabricio threatened to break the deadlock yet again on 25 minutes, but despite beating Plymouth full back Ryan Dabbs and cutting in from the left, Michael Cooper in the Plymouth goal was equal to his effort.

Corinthians finally registered on the score sheet just a minute later, with a sense of inevitably about the scorer. A 25 yard free kick was dispatched with aplomb by man of the match Fabricio, which was met with wild celebrations by his team mates and coaching staff.

The second half was a quieter affair with Corinthians content to sit back on their lead and monopolise possession. Midway through the latter period this approach bore fruit as Fabricio delivered a corner with pin point accuracy towards the head of full back Luquinha who nodded home to effectively send his side into the final.

Plymouth battled hard in a vain attempt to get back into the game but the watertight Corinthians defence restricted them to long range efforts which failed to trouble the gloves of Guilherme. In the end, Corinthians deservedly progress to face County Antrim in the final at Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday, (kick off 4pm).

Report by Jordan Miller.

Corinthians: Guilherme, Luquinha, Maicon, Franklin, Roni, Lugano, Caio, Felipe, Ze, Fabricio, Bilu.

Plymouth Argyle: Michael Copper, Ryan Dabbs, Ryan Law, Harry Downing, Jordan Bentley, Josh Richards, Sam Ryan, Tyler Tonkin, Alex Fletcher, Alex Battle, Jake Lane.