9.9.23

U-13's Group B: BUFC 3 - 4 CARRICK TOWN (HOME) (LOSS)

After a slow start, the lads found themselves 3 goals down after 12minutes. The lads then got their act together and started moving the ball and actually playing football. We got one back with some nice play in the middle of the pitch and a through ball from Scott between Carricks 2 CBs into the oncoming Ethan who slotted it home.

Carrick were under pressure and were finding it difficult to get out. And on the stroke of half time, our lads won a penalty. Unfortunately, the Carrick keeper made a great save down low to his right.

3-1 at half time.

After a very good chat between themselves about how the 1st half ended the second half started in a similar manner with the lads putting serious pressure on the Carrick back line and their efforts rewarded with a 2nd goal which Wiktor fired low past the Carrick keeper. At this stage, the lads had their tails up, and it was not long before they struck again this time through a wonderful volley from Ethan again! 

With 12 minutes to go and the game now 3-3 the lads were pressing forward looking for a deserved winner and they did have their chances to get it but unfortunately with 4 minutes to go Carrick struck on a counter attack to go 4-3. Our lads continued to push Carrick until the final whistle, and although they did have chances, it wasn't to be!

Manager Aidan Kenny said "There are not many games you will come away from being 3 nil down after 12 minutes and be unhappy because you were so close to winning it. But the lads should be proud of the way they reacted and dug in. Some of the football the lads played today was a joy to watch, and that Carrick team bet us 4-1 last season but were very lucky to come away with a win today."

BUFC Squad: Ryan Gerrity, Alex Cashman, Max Verdon, Liam McManus, Mikey Quigley, Scott Kenny, Wiktor Grabowski ⚽, Charlie Nicholson, Brandon Nyathi, Daniel McPadden, Ethan Stoodley⚽⚽, Stephen Gillespie, Peter Mnisi, Ben Maguire & Callum Clarke (injured)

BUFC ACADEMY

Our Academy was back on Saturday from 1pm, with the first hour dedicated aged u8 (4/5 year olds to 8) and the second hour for our U9s & U10s. Great numbers for each hour and we would encourage more girls to get involved ages 4/5 to 8 years old, great group of girls already there who have lots of fun.

U15 BOYS GROUP B ROUND 1: BUFC V ARROW HARPS (HOME) (LOSS)

Our u15s faced a stiff test in the form of Arrow Harps who had dropped down from the A League. In fairness to the lads they kept going to the very end. Jayden Gilgan got his just rewards, for his tireless work throughout, in first half chasing down a back pass to block the keepers attempted clearance to bring BUFC back into the match. The highlights of the match though were U14s Daniel Connolly two absolute bottom corner pings from distance when many teams would have throw in the white flag. Well done to the lads and the management and we are sure the will gain valuable lessons from this match.

10.9.23

SLIGO PALLETS PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND 2: AUGHANAGH CELTIC 4-2 BUFC (AWAY) (LOSS)

Kevin O'Hara and his backroom staff would have gone into this game with confidence after last weeks first round win v Valley but as always Aughanagh away is one of the stiffest tests of the season. It was Aughanagh who dealt the first blow with Darragh Hailstones applying the finish after 15 minutes. The game ebbed and flowed and while, as throughout the game, BUFC dominated possession, Aughanagh were efficient and dangerous on the break. Gary Anderson, who has had an excellent start to the season, continued his fine form with a great finish to level matters on 36 minutes.

The second half continued in the vein of the first half and Aughanagh got their break moments after Stephen Fallon cracked their crossbar with a long range and a ball over top caught us out and Seamus Hailstones applied a cool finished. Again with BUFC in control of the ball and when an equaliser seeming inevitable Ciaran O'Connor punished some ill discipline to give the home side a two goal cushion. Darragh Mahon went close after reacting quickest to a rebound off the post from a strike from Gary Anderson. Then on 71 minutes came the goal of the match from the in form Anderson who top binned a 21 yard curler to leave the game in the melting pot. Surely an equaliser would arrive after all the endeavour and effort the BUFC lads had put into the game.

Alas it was not to be as the towering Dylan Mc Dermott sent a looping header, from a well directed free, over the despairing effort from Gavin Phelan to keep the ball out. BUFC continued to dominate the ball but Aughanagh used all their experience to see out the remainder of the game.

The lads will hope to get back to winning ways on Friday, 15.9.23 at 8.15pm V Merville United.

BUFC U11 Boys vs BUFC U12 Boys - pre-season friendly

U11 Coaches Ciaran Crossan, Tony Stark and Wayne Kelly are keen to have at least two teams representing the club down at Cleveragh on Sunday mornings next month and they have plenty of young talent to pick from based on this outing.

Josh Jordan in goal pulled off several close range  saves behind a solid defensive wall containing Conor Hughes and Rian McConigly as Dillon Drury, Walsh and the very promising 8 year old Cian Crossan more than held their own in the middle of the park.

Up front Matthew Lockhart combined well with Kia and Nathan Kelly as the U11’s fought back from behind at half time in a very evenly contested game.

Darragh Culkin, Luke McLoughlin and newcomer Eoghan Commons were amongst the goals for the U12 team in a fast start to the game, with Adam Graham and Scott Breheny pulling the strings in midfield before Marcel Koniesczka and Luke Kelly came on to add some more experience in the second half.

All in all a useful run out for both sides and we’ll be keeping a close eye on the progress of these youngsters in future match reports if they maintain the levels of effort and skills witnessed yesterday.

13.9.23

BUFC U13 V DROMORE VILLA (AWAY) (DRAW)13.9.23

This game exploded into life on a blustery evening in Templeboy and after 2 minute a save from Ryan Fallon led to Oran Hynes providing a 40 yard cross field ball which found Conor Fallon who buried his finish after great 1st touch. On 9 minutes another Ryan Fallon save led to Mark Drury completing the clearance to Kyran Gethins who powered his way through to finish in bottom corner. This game was breatakingly fast and end to end and despite our two goal cushion our super keeper, Ryan Fallon, was the busiest player on the park. Unfortunately on 11 minutes Dromore capitalized on BUFC kick out score to reduce the deficit.

On 13 min a Tommy Walsh shot from distance was saved. Ryan Fallon again called into action a minute later. On 16 Oran Hynes, with a wand of a left foot, found Dylan Hughes but his first time effort sailed narrowly wide. Ryan Fallon pulled of another great save on 19 minutes from strong shot but could do nothing on 20 minutes Dromore equalise as game ebbs and flows from end to end. On 29 minutes long range free from Dromore is dealt with but another great strike from Dromore leave it 3-2 at half time in favour of the boys from Dromore. 

Both teams went lose in first two minutes of 2nd half  and on 36 minutes Kyran Gethins nutmegs the home keeper for equaliser after superb Oran Hynes assist. On 40 minutes another Oran Hynes free from 35 yards is saved and 2 mintues later Dromore break to score. On 47 minutes a Dromore counter goes wide and then the moment of the match came 49 minutes when great chasing from Kyran Gethins and the ball breaks to Conor "The Bomb" Fallon and he buried it from just inside the box...a born finisher. WHAT A FINISH!! Unbelievably there was little goalmouth action until the last kick of the game when a Conor Fallon free nearly found Oran Hynes at the back post which would have been heart-breaking for the home team. A draw a fair result in a breath-taking game with the wild Atlantic breeze blowing in every direction.