Magherafelt Sky Blues Football Club

The league decided to cancel our home league cup semi-final against Oxford United. Meanwhile the Ballymena league also moved the Canada Cup final back to Saturday 5th December.

At least we still have both fixtures to look forward to in the coming weeks. This left the first team without a game which is not ideal preparation for a huge Irish Cup game this Saturday against Holywood FC. All Premier Amateur league sides are of a very high standard and I am sure they will be no different. We wish our lads all the best. Hopefully it will stay dry to allow the game to go ahead.

The Reserves, who had looked forward to a cup final, were then given an away game at Ballynure OB Reserves. They gained a valuable away point against a strong side. They travel this week to Raceview Athletic in the hope they will get three more points and continue moving up the league.

Unfortunately the U16's game had to be cancelled due to Spires being waterlogged. They have a tough encounter this week away to Institute and will be hoping to get back to winning ways.

The Under 14's had a very impressive 6-1 result against Midway United. They had previously lost 3-1 away to the same time. Congratulations to Kieran Lynch (pictured) who scored an impressive hat-trick. It is also great news to hear that the U14's are planning a trip to the Preston Cup next Easter. This will give these young players a superb platform to see how far they have come in the past three years. We wish them well with this project.

The Under 12's completed the double over Coleraine 2 Under 12's. A 4-0 win was very encouraging and it is great to see the players now starting to look very comfortable on the ball. Quite a number of the young players have transfer tests on their minds at the moment but they put this to the back of their mind with this performance. Well done to the defence on a clean sheet. The back four including Alex Hancock are starting to settle well. The young Blues have another afternoon game this Saturday hopefully in Moneymore against Coleraine U13's.

Finally well done to the Under 11's. They grabbed their first win away to Stanocum U11's. Young Stephen Greer grabbed the first and Padraig McGrogan got the second. The U11's are gearing up for a big Irish Cup tie in three weeks and games against Carniny Youth this Saturday and Ballymena United Youth the following week will be tough tests.

I would encourage anyone who has time on a Saturday morning to go and watch the young teams that are currently doing the club proud. We have some great lads coming through the club at present with an excellent attitude. Credit must also go to the coaches.

Right up from the Under 11's, 12's, 14's and 16's their is a wealth of talent that is doing us proud week in week out. Long may it continue.