A first run out of the season, in a challenge match against a strong Mayobridge team was always going to be a test for the U14 Warrenpoint blues and so it proved. The Milltown pitch was heavy and certainly didn’t help either team and the worsening weather throughout the match, made the going that little bit tougher.
Three 20-minute periods were played, much to the relief of the girls, as they were able to grab a couple of well-earned breaks during the match. The first period was pretty much one-way traffic, with the Warrenpoint goal coming under siege. A strong defensive showing and some excellent work from new team captain and county goalkeeper, Cara Bradley, went some way in limiting the scoring of the visitors. The second period of play saw the home team grow into the match more and they were able to put together some attacking play, but without reward for their efforts. The final period of play saw the rain coming down more heavily and all the players were feeling heavy-legged. Warrenpoint managed to spend a little more time in the Mayobridge half of the pitch and were justly rewarded with a couple of goals, from Cliodhna Martin and Sydney Barnett. In the end Mayobridge ran out comfortable winners.
All told, it was a hard, but very valuable learning experience, for both the players and the management team. The Warrenpoint girls were up against a strong Mayobridge outfit, with a large panel of players, who will be playing in the section above them, for the upcoming season. The management team could not have asked the girls to give any more. Next up for the young blues is their Feíle qualifiers next Saturday 9th March in Saval.
