It was first blood to ‘Stute in the ninth minute. A long ball through the centre saw Aidan Deehan lob the keeper before continuing his run to head home from two yards out.
A bout of sustained pressure midway through the half, and a failure to clear, let Newell’s Zac Quinn in on goal and he slipped the ball under the advancing keeper to bring the game level before half time.
The second half started well for Institute and a period of sustained pressure saw them notch up four corners, coming close to scoring on two occasions. Eleven minutes in and it was Newell who took the lead. Striker Shea Smith won the ball on the 18-yard line, beat the advancing keeper and scored.
Four minutes later it was level again. A long high corner from the right was met at the back post by ‘Stute’s Mason Kelly who toe-poked home to draw level again.
With minutes remaining and both sides going for full points, it was the light blue of Institute that gained the upper hand. A long ball through the centre and Ryan Deery won possession. He slipped the ball wide of goalkeeper Joel Houston and tapped home from close range.
They then got a fourth and final goal in the last minute when Terry Meenan collected a through pass on the left, before netting from 12 yards out.
U13: Partick Thistle edge closely-fought contest against Top of the Hill Celtic
Partick Thistle 2, Top of the Hill Celtic 0
Both teams came into this clash with very good section results, Partick with one win and a draw, Celtic with two wins but it was the Scottish side that won the day.
A tight encounter with a scoreless first half saw both defences and goalkeepers dealing with any problems in front of them before a mistake early in the second half by the Celtic netminder cost the first score. A high cross from a corner was spilled and fell to the feet of midfielder Donnie Sinclair who tapped home from six yards.
Despite a number of decent chances by the local side they failed to test the Partick goalkeeper and it was their pushing for an equaliser in the latter stages that saw the Scottish side break to score again when Calvin Crews turned his marker and blasted home.
U13: Good Lads Soccer (US) too strong for Oxford United at Swilly Stadium
Good Lads Soccer 3, Oxford United 1
North American side, Good Lads Soccer proved too strong for locals Oxford United at Templemore’s Swilly Stadium on Wednesday morning.
They US side got off to a perfect start with an early goal in the first minute when Good Lads striker Keegan Taylor broke through the centre only to be pulled down for a penalty. Up stepped captain Gavin Bibee to slot home.
Not to be outdone, it was Oxford who levelled the score five minutes later. Beating the offside trap, midfielder Harley Quigg controlled the ball before sliding the ball through for the inrushing Caolan Noble to score from 15 yards.
A minute later the US team were ahead again. Some slick passing on the left saw Keegan Taylor’s shot beat Braden Smith from close range.
With Oxford attacking looking for an equaliser, it was a breakaway by Good Lads that saw a penalty awarded but netminder Smith was on hand to palm the resultant kick over the crossbar.
In the dying minutes, Good Lads scored again to put the game beyond the local team.
17. Foyle Cup action from the u-13 Premier game between Top of the Hill Celtic v. Partick Thistle at Templemore Sports Complex,, Derry on Wednesday morning. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)
Foyle Cup action from the u-13 Premier game between Top of the Hill Celtic v. Partick Thistle at Templemore Sports Complex,, Derry on Wednesday morning. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography) Photo: Jim McCafferty