Templepatrick Reach Cup Semi-Final after epic battle!
Templepatrick Alexandra YFC reach the semi-final of the cup for the second time in their history after a 5-4 win against Upper Ardoyne. This is the first time though that a team has battled through 2 rounds to progress this far. Another record for these mighty under 10s!
The boys started the game off brightly on a cold but sunny morning, passing the ball about the pitch. Ardoyne had the first attempt on goal after a defensive mix-up but was saved by Wilson. The game was fairly even until Brolly spotted a gap in the Ardoyne defence and slotted the ball through for Bownes to run on to and score. 1-0.
Ardoyne pressed forward in search of an equaliser and were rewarded with a corner kick after a mix-up from a goal kick. From the resulting corner Templepatrick failed to clear and Ardoyne equalised. 1-1.
Instead of the heads going down from losing a goal, Templepatrick began to attack down the left with Skillen playing well on the wing. Templepatrick won a corner kick and when it was taken the ball went to Brolly who was unmarked in the box and he scored his first goal for Templepatrick. 2-1
Half Time 2-1.
From the restart of the second half Crawford was moved into attack and this switch proved very advantageous for Templepatrick as Skillen scored, quickly followed by Crawford to move Templepatrick into a very good position. 4-1. However, Ardoyne made a couple of substitutions and this brought them back into the game by scoring a quick reply. 4-2. Templepatrick were playing very well with everyone doing their part and the ball went down the left again to Ryan who passed it to Kinahan who shot and the ball went off an Ardoyne players leg to be deflected into the net. 5-2.
By this stage Templepatrick were on top of the match with plenty of attacks down both flanks and through the centre, however the boys got themselves out of position looking to score a goal each, they forgot to cover the centre of midfield from where Ardoyne pulled two goals back to bring it to 5-4. A very nervous last 2-3 minutes was had by the coaches in which Templepatrick managed to hold out for that famous victory. Man of the Match T.B.C.

Well Done Boys!!
Neil