Tag: 3rds

The Albion 4 v 2 Strangford IIs

NEWCASTLE & DISTRICT AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Davy Teggarty’s young Albion side have been on a good run of form in recent weeks and so it continued this week with a fine performance against a strong Strangford reserve side.

The afternoon didn’t start too well when experienced keeper Johnny McGreevy dislocated a finger in the warm up and had to go to hospital. Luckily teenage central defender John McMenamin is a handy goalkeeper and he deputised.

The Albion started brightly and with five minutes gone, Graeme McMullan had the ball in the Strangford net only for it to be disallowed for what was apparently offside.

The first goal came after 35 minutes and at that point slightly against the run of play because the visitors had got back into the game. Live-wire Stuart Wilcox took a pass from Ross Bingham in the centre of the park and he unleashed a long range shot which deceived the Strangford keeper in the strong sunshine to go into the net.

Wilcox who was causing all sorts of problems with his strong running made it 2-0 on 55 minutes when he latched onto a loose ball in the six yard box to score. Moments after the restart Alan Massey intercepted the ball in centre midfield after a good tackle from Ciaran Bonner and he fired a twenty yard shot into the net which went in off a post.

With The Albion firmly in the driving seat, Steven Bridges spurned a number of chances – indeed he could and should have had a hat trick.

On 70 minutes a mix up between Bingham and Massey let Strangford in to make it 3-1 and moments later more poor defending saw the deficit reduced to one with the score at 3-2. Some last ditch defending from King and Shaun Bonner saved the day as the Albion struggled. However a long clearance was picked up by Gareth Scott who passed to Wilcox and the midfielder stormed into the penalty area to score an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

This was another excellent display from this young team who are working very hard for their manager and each other.

Todays Fixtures (17/11/12)

The 1sts travel to the same opposition as last weeks 2-0 defeat in the third round of the Irish Cup against Lisburn Rangers. Lets hope they gain some revenge after last weeks disappointment. Kick-off is at 1.30pm.

The 2nds are also in cup action today. This time in Round 1 of the Templeton Cup away to St Oliver Plunkett II. A good performance and display should see us into Round 2.

That leaves The Albion playing their first league game at The Millbridge for sometime. The opposition – Strangford IIs who are currently just 1 point ahead in the league sitting in 6th position. Kick-off is at 2pm.

The Albion 5 v 3 Saintfield AYC IIs

The Albion produced a five star performance against what was a fairly experienced Saintfield AYC reserve side.

The home side took the lead when Shaun Bonner fired in a twenty yard pile driver from the left side of midfield. Not long after it was 2-0 when Steven Bridges followed up on an Alan Massey long range shot which the Saintfield keeper had parried to head the ball over the line.

Saintfield AYC got back into the game when they scored direct from a corner but Alan Massey continued his good scoring form when  he converted a penalty resulting from a hand ball offence from a defender after good work from Ciaran Bonner and Ross Bingham.

Early in the second half Steven Bridges made it 4-1 with a dash into the penalty area and a lob over the keeper. The visitors got a goal back to make it 4-2 but Graeme McMullan continued his good scoring form with a fifth goal. A third goal from the visitors did nothing to take away the euphoria of the home side to secure a very good three points.

In addition to those already named there were good performances all over the park with defenders Paul King, Scott McNeill and John McMenamin providing excellent cover for keeper Johnny McGreevy while in midfield Stuart Wilcox worked his socks off all afternoon. Substitutes Jordan Hayes, Matthew Murnin and Gareth Scott made significant contributions.