Big cup weekend for youths

This weekend the Under 13’s visit Maiden City, the Under 14’s travel to Bertie Peacock Youth and the Under 15’s come up against Bangor in the first round of the NIBFA Cup.

Institute U14...1

Ridgeway Rovers U14...2

Institute U14 travelled to the far side of Belfast to take on Ridgeway, a side who had beaten them with the last kick of the game only a month earlier.

Both teams started scrappily but it was the home side who took the lead as a long ball was yet again ’Stute’s undoing. Their striker latched on to the through ball to round the onrushing Lamberton and give the home team an early lead.

They were able to double their lead before half time thanks to a long range strike from a player who was afforded far too much time to set himself for the shot.

The second half was more like the ’Stute we have come to know and we were very unlucky not to take at least a point from the game. Adams came off the bench to provide a real threat down the right flank, while O’Brien and Kinkaid were linking up more effectively too.

The back line was tightened up as Cloete dropped back to sweeper as well and the boys were retaining the ball better in the middle of the park. ’Stute had come close to pulling a goal back on a few occasions before Cloete eventually scored. O’Brien swung in a great cross from the right hand side and the big defender rose impressively to power the header home.

Institute felt the point was there for taking and battled hard for the remaining minutes without reward. Kinkaid and Cloete both came within inches of scoring in injury time from Deighan’s free kick.

Despite the loss, the second half display showed real promise for the games over the Christmas and New Years period.

Meanwhile the Community Football wing of Institute Youths has experienced a noticeable increase in the numbers of kids coming along to St Columb’s Park on Friday nights and this has also bolstered the numbers in the age groups training during the weeks.

As a result Institute Youths are seeking parents, former Institute Youth coaches and perhaps already existing coaches within the City to contact the club or to come along to the club training sessions to speak to the Club Coaches about the opportunities for coach development at the Club.

Whether it is to lend a hand with the youngest players on a Friday night or to become coach in an established team or if you have ambitions to develop as a coach and to head coach a National League side, all are welcome at our club.

Come along to our training sessions and speak to our coaches or contact the Nigel Curry on (0772) 996 0469.

Visit the website www.instituteyouths.com to read about recent coaching experiences at Institute Youths including IFA coach development trip to Portugal,

Institute Youth Training is as follows: Mini soccer age 5-11 Friday’s at St Columb’s Park 7pm-8pm; U10s and U11 Monday’sIndoor at Lisneal College 7.30pm-8.30pm; U13 Tuesday and Thursday’s at Irish Street Astroturf 6.30pm-7.45pm; U14 Tuesday’s at St Columb’s Park Astroturf 5.15pm-6.30pm and Thursday’s at Lisneal College Astroturf 7.30pm-8.30pm; U15 Monday’s at St Columb’s Park Astroturf 7pm-8pm and Wednesday Lisneal Astroturf 7.30pm-8.30pm; U19 Monday’s at Lisneal Astroturf 6pm-7pm and Thursday’s 8.30pm-9.30pm.

Institute Youths believes that coach development is the cornerstone of maintaining a thriving and productive environment for children and youths to reach their potential as footballers. If you are willing to commit to our club we will commit to your development as a coach.