St Mary’s U13’s showed little Christmas cheer to their opponents Larne Youth on Saturday at Mallusk as they brushed them aside to win 5-1 in their last match of 2012. The Saints were in scintillating form in the first half with a devastating show of their attacking prowess, to which Larne had no answer, and all this without striker O Reilly who has been quite harshly suspended for the next three games.
Within minutes St Mary’s were awarded a free on the corner of the box, which Ross took and his effort went over by a matter of inches. The next attack was cleared at the expense of a corner by the Larne defender. The resultant corner was floated over by Ross and headed into the net by the excellent McGarritty for a deserved 1-0 lead. With the benefit of a n early goal behind them , St Mary’s relaxed and started to play their trademark flowing football. Once such move lead to the Saints doubling their lead, when a great through ball from McNaughton was taken in his stride by Mc Garritty, who smashed home a brilliant volley from the edge of the box to give the Larne keeper absolutely no chance at all.
Midway through the half it was game over as Ross finished a fine move involving Park and McCormick, to slot home the third goal from 12 yards. The defence of Quinn, Begley, Bannon, Lyncn and the marauding Breen, were in total control at the back and were instrumental in setting up attacks also. Breen was in great form and was able to go on some of his mazy runs from defence and help set up chances for the strikers. With the clock ticking down an a superb first half of freeflowing football, a loose ball fell to Bannon , who tried his luck from all of 30 yards, and his effort sailed into the net over the stunned keeper to make it 4-0 at half time.
The coaches made several changes at half time with O Malley, Donaghy, Peter Morgan and Conal Breen all coming for St Mary’s and these changes didn’t disrupt the flow of play for the Saints. Soon in , St Mary’s thought they had a fifth goal, as did all the spectators, when Ross fired in a trademark 25 yarder from the corner of the area. It looked like it had sailed into the top corner of the net, but somehow was deemed to have went over the bar !! At the other end, Larne were beginning to aks questions of the St Mary’s defence, and Quinn in nets twice cut out dangerous crosses. With ten minutes gone Larne pulled a goal back, when sloppy midfield play allowed the Larne striker a run at goal and his shot evaded the advancing Quinn. This only served to spur the Saints on, and they went in search of their fifth goal of the game. It came when Conal Breen stabbed home the ball in a goal mouth scramble. There were other chances to increase the scoring, with McGarritty, Park and Ross all having efforts saved by the Larne keeper.
Star men on the day for St Mary’s were McGarritty, Begley and Oliver Breen, but it was a fantastic team performance from a group of players, who have now won 12 of their 13 league games this season. The coaches would like to thank all the players for the tremendous effort that has been put in all year, and wish them and their parents a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Next match is the Cup game against Carryduff on 5th January, and details will be forwarded nearer to the time.
Team : A Quinn, C Bannon, C Lynch, A Begley, O Breen, T McCormick, P Ross, J Park, O McNaughton, C McGarritty, C Morgan, O Donaghy, C O Malley, C Breen, P Morgan
