Enniskillen Royal played the second round of the U14 NI Intermediate Cup on Tuesday 25th October in Banbridge against New Bridge Integrated College.
The game started under perfect conditions on a crisp and sunny afternoon. In the first few minutes of the game, Callum Smyton had a disallowed goal for offside after his brother had played him through. However, it only took a few minutes for the new addition to the team, Casey Howe, to cross the perfect ball from a corner kick and Sam Milligan was there to knock in a tidy finish. Casey impressed her teammates and opponents even further when she assisted the second goal crossing again from her wing for Eddie Keys (picture) who curled it in from the edge of the six yard box. She may have been the only girl on the pitch but Casey was demonstrating some great footballing skills.
Half way through the first half, the third goal came when Daniel Hughes hit a low cross and Eddie Keys netted his second goal of the day. This wouldn’t be the end for Eddie as he was then quick to react when a shot from Reece Byrne was blocked by the defence. He slotted the ball in for his hat-trick.
Just before half-time, Jamal Tavares carried the ball from his own half and played in Reece Byrne who scored the 5th goal after some exquisite dribbling through the Banbridge defence.
At the start of the second half, Callum Smyton was fouled on the box and a penalty was given. Reece Byrne took the shot but the keeper made an excellent save. The score did not evolve and Enniskillen Royal managed to keep a clean sheet from good goalkeeping by Jack Balfour and good defending from the substitutes Danny Johnston, Matthew Beatty and Matthew Wilson. Henry Keys, Paul McConkey and Taine Haire also came on and contributed well to the team effort.
The final whistle was blown on an impressive 5-0 victory and the team goes through to the 3rd round of the NI Cup.
