JOSH BRIGGS’ MATCH OF THE WEEK Under-14 LANGWATHBY 2COCKERMOUTH COMETS 3

Last updated 11:49, Wednesday, 17 September 2008

COCKERMOUTH Comets began the new campaign with a comeback win against a strong Langwathby side, with help from Angus Carruthers, who grabbed a brace.

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Shield of dreams: Carlisle Under-13 Green cricket team, who have gone through the season undefeated. They won the county cup, their respective league and are in the final of the league cup

However, it was Langwathby who got the first goal, with only minutes played. An awkward corner by Chris Newbury wasn't dealt with by Cockermouth and Terrence McDonnell was left with an easy tap in.

The next 15 minutes of the game saw the Comets bombard Langwathby's defence, but Aidan Longstaff at left-back, combined with Gary Holmes' ability to read the game at the heart of the defence, meant the score stayed the same.

Then, with five minutes to go in the first-half, Cockermouth got their deserved equaliser when Angus Carruthers powered a header into the roof of the net from an accurate Aaron Holliday cross.

Richard Bracken, the Langwathby keeper, ensured Langwathby went into the second half level, when he produced a sublime save to prevent a Comet breakaway goal.

As in the first-half, the second-half began with an early goal, this time for Cockermouth.

Ellis Graham received the ball 18 yards from the Langwathby goal, and with confidence, dribbled past no less than four players before lofting the ball over Bracken. A goal oozing quality which gave Cockermouth the lead, who were slowly getting a grip of the game.

Yet, the never-say-die attitude of Langwathby's team eventually brought an equaliser.

After some great work down the left by the nippy Chris Newbury, the ball shot across the Comet's goal, appearing in front of the on-coming Terrence McDonnell who calmly rolled the ball into the net, claiming his second goal of the game.

The English game is often associated with the 'long ball' and Cockermouth's winning goal demonstrated the style perfectly.

Keeper Mark Latham launched the ball over Langwathby's back four, leaving Angus Carruthers with a one-on-one situation, where composure, accuracy and confidence saw the ball stroked into the goal.

Cockermouth manager Scott Carruthers said: “The team improved in the second half and passed the ball well. Much of the win goes down to confidence. Getting stuffed last season by older and bigger lads meant we were always going to have a nervous start.”

Men Of The Match: Terrence McDonnell and Angus Carruthers