SBYL u13s
Bloomfield FC 2-5 St Mary’s FC
St Mary’s opened up their league campaign in emphatic fashion at Dixon Park against Bloomfield FC.
St Mary’s welcomed the return of several old faces in the shape of Conor Bannon and Chrissy Quinn but had to do without the services of Aidan ‘The Rock’ Begley following a bout of concussion earlier in the week.
Oran McNaughton drilled an early chance wide following Bannon’s corner and from there on St Mary’s didn’t look back. Patrick Ross’ set pieces were causing Bloomfield a host of problems in the first period and St Mary’s took the lead when one such corner was deflected over the line by the unfortunate Bloomfield defender with several St Mary’s players wheeling away claiming the final touch.
Another Ross free kick found McNaughton in space and he was able to nudge the ball home to increase the lead. O’ Reilly was the architect of the third score as he crossed for Cathal McGarrity to put the finishing touches on a fine team move.
St Mary’s were rampant all over the pitch with Conor Bannon and Oisin Donaghy linking up well down the right and Chrissy Quinn and McGarrity getting forward on the opposite flank.
Last season’s top scorer O’Reilly got in on the act after 15 minutes when connecting with another Ross corner to put the Saints three goals to the good while at the other end Cormac Morgan produced a splendid save to keep his goal intact at the half time break.
St Mary’s made a host of changes after the break with Aidan Quinn, Peter Morgan and Conor O’Malley all getting a chance to stake a claim for a starting slot.
The fifth St Mary’s goal came from the spot when McNaughton was bowled over in the box and up stepped Oliver Breen to confidently blast the spot kick home.
Bannon and O’Reilly both had efforts saved and McNaughton drilled the ball over the crossbar from close range but the action reverted to the opposite end of the pitch where Peter Morgan gave away a free kick and Bloomfield reduced the deficit.
Bloomfield completed the scoring in the remaining minutes with the goal of the game soaring past Morgan into the roof of the net from 30 yards out.
