Oak Athletic put in an almost perfect performance in atrocious conditions to see off the challenge of local rivals Maiden City in this Under-13 National League game played on Saturday.
Oak Athletic 2 Maiden City 0
The torrential rain did not stop Athletic playing their neat, passing game and straight from the kick-off they had City on the back foot.
Athletic squandered two clear-cut chances before taking the lead in the 20th minute when, after a neat build-up from the back between Sean Duffy and Connor Clifford, the latter played a fantastic 30-yard pass to Blaine Daniels who set up centre-forward Caolan McLaughlin to dink a left foot finish into the corner of the net.
It was much the same at the start of the second half with Oak winning the individual battles all over the pitch with Mark Wray marshalling his back four really well.
Maiden City, to their credit, stuck to their game plan of playing a passing game but this nearly caused their downfall when their keeper found Oak midfielder Odhran Hill who produced a Beckham like effort from the half-way line. However, the City keeper redeemed himself with a tremendous save.
Following this, the Oak midfield of Shea Fraser, Connor Kelly and Odhran Hillen drove their team forward and Athletic should have “put the game to bed” with clear-cut chances falling to Eoghan Dobbins and Dean Quigley, both of whom were thwarted by the in-form City keeper.
As so happens in football, City broke away and Cahir McMonagle seemed certain to score but was denied by Athletic keeper Jackson Gallagher who spread himself well to save what looked a certain goal.
Oak finally put the game beyond doubt with seven minutes remaining when a City defender unfortunately turned the ball into his own net in attempting to clear a brilliant cross from Oak full-back Jack Graham.
Near the end, Darren Maxwell had the opportunity to make it 3-0 when he showed great acceleration to get away from his marker, only to shoot narrowly wide of the post.
The result means Oak Athletic, making their debut season in the National League, remain unbeaten – they drew 0-0 away to Larne the previous week.
However, the young Derry club, who have won numerous trophies at all age levels in the North West League, are not running away with themselves as they realise the National League is a greater challenge. But on the form they have shown to date, they are certainly up for the fight.
Culmore – Jackson Gallagher, Connor Clifford, Sean Duffy, Mark Wray (captain), Charlie McGlinchey, Eoghan Dobbins, Connor Kelly, Odhran Hillen, Shea Fraser, Blaine Daniels, Caolan McLaughlin, Jack Graham, Darren Maxwell and Dean Quigley.
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