BYM v Kelvin OB

The YM 1st team hosted Kelvin OB at the Sportsplex on Saturday and were unlucky not to take all 3 points in an entertaining game. The YM were caught cold as the visitors took the lead after just 3 minutes. The YM were guilty of taking too long to set themselves for a corner resulting in a free header for the forward just 2 yards out and bang in the middle of the goal.

Cooper made a fantastic goal line clearance heading over from under his own bar after 20 minutes after the visitors hit the bar, but credit where credit is due as the YM played their way out of trouble and equalized through Coulter. Coulter controlled the ball on his chest at the back post and rifled his volley home from a tight angle through a ruck of players. A great finish at a crucial time as the YM took the game to their highflying visitors. The second is definitely one for the dubious goals panel; Howell fired a great free kick into the box where Coulter and the defender challenged and the ball found its way past the keeper and into the net. A goal which big Adam and Ian can arm wrestle over at training! The YM had a great chance to stretch their lead right on the stroke of half time; Coulter who was having a smashing game picked out Wilson who out paced the defence but unfortunately rolled his shot wide of the goal. Typical of the YM's season so far as disaster struck 5 minutes in to the second half as a comedy of errors cost the YM the points. Little rolled the ball back to Chalmers in goal and he swung his boot at it only to see it hit a bobble and spin up over him and into the net. With the visitors piling on the pressure the YM changed their system and went back to a more traditional 4 4 2 introducing Stevenson up front and replacing Little with a very pale looking Dickson in defence and sacrificing the ever improving Matt Legg in the middle. Ben Shivers replaced Steve Davison as the high tempo took its toll on the hard working mid field of Bryans, Davison, Wilson and pick of the bunch Best. To be fair to Kelvin they had the Lions share of possession in the second half but the YM still looked dangerous on the break and could have taken the lead on more than one occasion. Wilson, Stevenson and Coulter all had chances to score but it was a day when the defence stayed solid with Howell just pipping Frazer for man of the match as they both stood up to the verbal and physical game that was brought to them! Another good performance as the YM look to pull themselves up the table and away from the danger area in the bottom half of the league.

Immaculata v BYM 2nds

The YM 2nds travelled to play runaway league leaders Immaculata 2nds on Saturday. Given the quality of the opposition, the YM opted to play with a five-man midfield with Captain Andy McIntyre ploughing a lone furrow up front. The team started well with the midfield five working hard to press the Immaculata midfield ensuring that the back four were able to deal comfortably with all that Immaculata had to offer. 

Although it was fair to say that Immaculata had more possession than the YM in the early stages the boys worked hard to close down space and frustrate their opponents. In fact it took until the half hour mark before YM keeper Kris Gardiner was called into action, and even at that it was just to save a harmless long range shot from an Immaculata midfielder, which he acrobatically turned around the post by pushing the ball through his legs (somehow!!!).

It was by no means one-way traffic however as the YM began to settle into the game and create chances of their own. Bailie, who was looking dangerous on the right side of midfield, linked up well with McIntyre on a couple of occasions but was just unable to get a shot off, whilst McIntyre himself was having a good game, holding the ball up well and bringing his midfield into the game at every opportunity.

The YM had an excellent chance when Robinson marauded through the midfield like a gazelle, beating 2 men and leaving the YM with a 3 on 2 at the back, however with Bailie in space on the right of him Robinson tried to pick out McIntyre to his left and the Immaculata defender did well to break up the move. 

The YM were especially looking dangerous from set pieces, with Bailie just unable to direct his header on target from one of a number of excellent McIntyre corners. It was from another set piece that the YM took the lead. Robinson took a long throw to the near post where a clever run from Matt Best had created space for Simon McClean who in turn flicked the ball on to the back post where 'Ace Predator' McIntyre was waiting to hook the ball into the net with is RIGHT FOOT (yes, you read that correctly!!!) This was nothing more than the YM deserved for their endeavours in the first half. The YM defended stoutly until the break with the back four and especially McIlwrath and young Mikey Paul playing very well.

The second half commenced and it was barely 5 minutes old when a probing ball from the Immaculata midfielder was played into the box, in the channel between centre half and full back. As keeper Gardiner came off his line he was pipped to the ball by the Immaculata forward who calmly chested the ball past Kris and finished well into the empty net. A poor start to the second half and nothing Kris could do, but to their credit the YM boys rallied and got back to the task at hand. It should be noted that Lee Scott was having a sterling game sitting in front of the back four, breaking up numerous attacks with his tenacious tackling and unwavering commitment.

The second half was much the same as the first with Immaculata having the lions share of possession but with the YM looking like they could score from set pieces and quick counter attacks. In fact it was from a quick counter attack that the YM should have retaken the lead, when McIntyre turned his man superbly in the box. He was clean through and just about to pull the trigger when he was unceremoniously hauled back by the centre back. This was surely going to be a stonewall penalty if ever there was, and potentially a red card???? Not on your Nelly !!!! Its fair to say that if Stevie Wonder was refereeing he would have given it, but not this aged referee, as he unbelievably waved play on, even to the shock of the Immaculata players!!!!!

Nevertheless, the YM battled hard with tiredness beginning to set in. Bailie Snr was replaced by Bailie Jnr and Best was replaced with Joe Cole (currently unable to get a game at Chelsea). Young Craig Sterling later replaced the tiring McClean.

The YM defended calmly and assuredly, limiting Immaculata to long-range efforts, right up until the last minute when the ball was cleared for an Immaculata corner. Can you guess what might happen next????? Yes that’s right, the ball was played to the back post where the Immaculata player powered a header into the net to break YM hearts. The referee blew the final whistle shortly afterwards to condemn the YM to defeat.

This was hard to take as the boys played really well and gave Immaculata a hard game, which was acknowledged by their management after the game. Best on the day for the YM were Lee Scott and Jamie McIlwrath with young Mikey Paul just shading them for Man of the Match.

There were many positives to take from this game and if the boys continue to play like this promotion is a realistic target for the season. With the number of youth players making an impact on this game the future is bright...the future is the YM !!!!

On a final note the Thirds grabbed another vital 4-3 win with goals from Tipping, Bolton and Stanfield.

YM BEATEN BY PROMOTION HOPFULLS KIRCUBBIN FC

The YM hosted second placed Kircubbin FC in the league on Saturday and narrowly lost out by the odd goal in an entertaining match. After the very poor performance of the previous week the YM seemed transformed as they took the lead through Stevenson. It was like watching a different team as Frazer found Stevenson with a superb defence splitting pass, Stevenson out paced the defence and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper making it 1-0 to the YM. Kircubbin where bringing plenty to the table themselves as they had man of the match Chalmers on his toes with a string of fine saves. With the match swinging from end to end the YM had a slice of good fortune as a fine move down the right flank ended with a goal from full back Little. Chris swung in a cross, which eluded every one including the keeper, and found its way in at the back post.

The second half started as the first had ended with Kircubbin loading players in the last third of the pitch and sending long ball after long ball in to the home sides area and the YM playing some nice football with Boyd pulling the strings in the middle. The YM should have killed the game off after 60 minutes when Bryans hit the post after a great passage of play and young Matty Legg crashed the rebound over the bar from 12 yards. A touch of bad luck that was to prove costly as the visitors got themselves back in to the game with their next attack. From another long throw into the box the visiting attacker flicked the ball goal wards and in to the net at the unprotected back post. A poor goal to concede at a bad time as it seemed to deflate the home side and galvanize the visitors. The remaining 25 minutes was an onslaught of long throws and high balls into the box as the YM lost their composure on the ball and surrendered possession far to easily to a side who played to their strengths and stuck to their game plan. Not very pretty to watch but proved very effective as they peppered the home goal relentlessly and drew level when the home defender was out jumped on the penalty spot and the ball just squeezed past the outstretched arm of Chalmers and in off the post. Kircubbin took all three points in the 3rd minute of injury time when the ball was bundled in at the back post from another long throw.

A much better performance from the YM but still questions must be asked about their fitness levels as they threw away a lead for the second week in a row and with local rivals Castle winning at the weekend it's all getting very tight at the bottom.

Another great win for the seconds and a big thank you to youth team manager Davy Fleming as he stepped in at the last minute to steer a very young side to victory away to Holywood Rec 2nds!

Holywood Rec v BYM II’s

BYM II were away to Holywood Rec on Saturday. They competed well in the first half as they were defending up the pitch but not many chances were created for either side. A half time team talk instructed them to get the ball to feet and they would come out of this game ok, as we were the far fitter team. Two minutes into the second half and Andy Mac got a ball over the top from James Reynor. Andy went in one on one with the keeper who flapped at it, 1-0 to BYM. Then it all started going wrong. We couldn't clear our lines from the back, couldn't use our wings and I don't think the boys in the middle of the park passed it between themselves once.

Then Holywoods No 11 had three attempts on goal without one single tackle, third attempt he put it in the net. Twenty minutes into the second half gone and it was 1-1.  Subbed John and put on Reecey at left back who did very well. Subbed Glen Bailey and put on C Sterling and five minutes to go subbed Neil Bailey for Staners.

Two minutes of the game to go, Andy Mac got a through ball and was brought down - free kick. Wall was put up just inside the box and Andy took a shot. The wall walked forward and he had to take it again. Andy steadied himself, took a lovely free kick and the keeper got a hand to it. He palmed it to the right hand side of his box, Beggsy and Staners run in on it but it was Staners who got the last touch - back of the net from 2 yards out - 2-1 to the BYM and that’s how the game finished. 

GOOD RESULT LADS - PITY ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE.

P.S.  As far as I can see nobodies place in the 2nd's is safe.  A lot of the 3rd's players have upped their game the last three weeks; a lot of youth players from 18's are looking to play afternoon football.  Show your faces to training on a Monday and Thursday night and make your mark.

YM LOSE AWAY TO HOLYWOOD REC

The YM travelled to Belfast on Saturday and lost 2-1 in the league, which may sound like an exciting close encounter! Truth be told it was any thing but!

The first half was very flat and lacked any passion or even football for that matter; in fact it took 31 minutes for the YM to string a couple of passes together as Little played a one two with Wilson and sent in a good cross for Bryans to power home a front post header. That was to be as good as it got for the YM as they struggled to cope with the home sides commitment.

The second half was a one sided game as the home side laid siege to the YM goal. The equalizer came early in the half as the YM failed to clear as the home side progressed down the left wing and in to the box; at least 3 defenders had the opportunity to clear the ball before it fell to the feet of an attacker 12 yards out. He wasted no time in unwrapping the gift presented to him as he lashed the ball past Chalmers making it 1 a piece.

Worse followed as the YM conceded a needless penalty; Neill was robbed of the ball and as the attacker was about to shoot he was caught late and the ref pointed to the spot.

What happened next was farcical, as although Chalmers saved the initial penalty, it had to be retaken for encroachment! The manager was doubly disappointed, as no one in the YM seemed to remember, or understand simple instructions designed for that very situation! Holywood changed their penalty taker and he made no mistake, sending Chalmers the wrong way and taking all 3 points for the home side.

A truly awful and unacceptable performance from the YM, who never turned up on the day.  Credit to the home side who could have won by a greater margin but for Chalmers in the YM goal as he again pulled off save after save!

With high flying Kircubbin FC this week the YM will need a 100% improvement or face another dismal Saturday afternoon.

On a more positive note, well done to 2nd team stand in manager Ben Cooper, who got his second win in as many weeks beating local rivals Bangor Ams 3-1 in the league. A good win for Ben and the second team, but we are still on the look out for a permanent manager, so any one interested get in touch with any YM committee member.

YM EXIT CUP

Saturday saw the YM host 1b table toppers Orangefield OB in the Clarence Cup at the Sportsplex and come away on the wrong end of a 4-0 defeat.

The first half was an end-to-end affair as both sides had their chances. Bryans was unlucky not to open the scoring when he got on the end of a Best corner; Stevie rose well and powered his header inches over the bar with the keeper rooted to the goal line.

Next Stevenson broke through only to see his effort well saved by the keeper! Orangefield where playing nice football but coming up against a solid YM defence who were dogged and defending well.

The second half was to be a one sided game as Orangefield took control. However the manner in which they got their noses in front has left a bad taste in the home side's mouth! The visiting number 7 was awarded a penalty when he kicked Boyd off the ball, yes you read it right! The number 7 was almost in stitches as the ref pointed to the spot. The pen was rifled home and that was the end of the game as a contest.

The visitors now had their heads up and went for the jugular, scoring 3 more goals with out reply and the match ended 4-0 to Orangefield.

The YM played well for an hour on Saturday but as we all know a game of football lasts 90 minutes! But fair play to the visitors as they gave the YM a lesson in team work as their superior fitness was there for all to see as it became a totally one sided affair in the end.

Mike Chalmers took man of the match this week with some great saves.

A great result for the second team this week beating Drumbo 3-0 away under the guidance of Ben Cooper and Neil Armstrong who are filling in until a permanent manager is found!