Positive weekend on the road!

U-16 North Meck Academy 2 – 2 U-16 Strikers Academy

The U-16 team battled hard to bring back two points on the road. On Saturday, after a great first half, Strikers saw themselves leading 2-0. In the 18th minute, Bobby McDonnell, assisted by a great through pass from Carl Weber, won his a one-on-one with the North Meck goalkeeper. In the 27th minute, after good work on the left flank from David Walden, the ensuing cross would find Carl Weber who beat the goalkeeper with a firm header.  In the second half, Strikers held on to their lead while under great pressure from North Meck attacks. With 20 minutes remaining, North Meck were awarded a penalty kick and reduced the deficit to 2-1. A few minutes later, North Meck would find the back of the net after terrific work from their forward.

The score remained at 2-2 until the final whistle.

U-18 North Meck Academy 0 – 4 U-18 Strikers Academy

The U-18’s took to the field against North Meck at 4pm. An early goal from Haboush, following up a shot by Ownby, set the tone of the game. However no goals were to be scored for the rest of the half. In a very physical battle, Strikers would create several chances without converting any of them. In the second half, the game kept its physical intensity. Bryan Wharton gave the Strikers a more comfortable lead in the 60th minute. Will Bates found Wharton on a great through ball who calmly adjusted his feet to deceive the North Meck goalkeeper. In the 71st minute, Will Bates executed a superb volley off the crossbar, and off the rebound, David Knause saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper, but Bryan Wharton who had followed up, executed perfectly to beat the goalkeeper for his second goal of the match. RSK 3-0 North Meck

With 10 minutes left, Wharton would become the hero of the game by scoring a hat trick. On a counter attack that started from the left flank by Bates, Wharton finished off the move and beat the goalkeeper from close range.

U-16 South Charlotte Academy 0 – 0 U-16 Strikers Academy

The next day, the U-16’s attempted to defy the South Charlotte teams that had beaten them a few weeks earlier. In a game in which each team controlled a half, 0-0 was a fair result. Each team came close to scoring as South Charlotte hit the crossbar just before halftime, while Carl Weber, with a cross from Brian Clark, headed the ball on the crossbar with a few seconds left in the game!

U-18 South Charlotte 3 – 1 U-18 Strikers Academy

The U-18’s found themselves behind very quickly in the game. After 20 minutes, South Charlotte executed two quick counter attacks to open the scoring. In the 24th minute, Wharton found Ownby making a darting run in between two defenders. Ownby beat the goalkeeper inside the post.  The rest of the game was a battle in the midfield. While Strikers managed to establish a bit more pressure on the South Charlotte defense, they did not manage to create any good goal scoring opportunities. With a few minutes left in the game, Strikers pushed more players forward in search of the equalizer and South Charlotte took advantage by scoring on the break

Next academy game on Sunday, February 10th at Striker park (10am and 12pm) against Empire.