Maghera IIs 4 v 3 The Albion

The Albion travelled to Church Hill Park, Maghera for this league game against Maghera 2nds.

Maghera took the lead early on from what the Albion players thought was an offside position and not long afterwards found themselves 2-0 down from a brilliant shot that gave keeper John McMenamin no chance.

Just before half time Albion got back into the game when following good work on the right wing by Ross Bingham who crossed to Graham McMullan who shot toward goal past the keeper and Stuart Wilcox made sure that it was going over the line.

In the second half Albion got back on level terms when a long throw from Paul King was scrambled into the net by Steven Bridges.

The Albion pressed forward for the winner but they were caught out by two breakaway goals to fall behind by 4-2. They never gave up and when Dean Blackwood was fouled in the penalty Alan Massey stepped up to score but it was too little too late.

This week the Albion entertain Carryduff Colts 2nds at the Council Pitch in Drumaness.

The Albion 2 v 2 Dromara Village 3rds

The Albion entertained high flying Dromara Village 3rds in this league fixture at Drumaness Council pitch and they continued their excellent form.

They were the first on the score sheet with a goal from Steven Bridges who is getting on the score sheet more regularly these days.

The visitors equalised but The Albion were back in front with a penalty from Alan Massey and as it went into its dying moments it looked like they would hold on for all three points but a late Dromara equaliser meant they had to share the points.

Another great performance with teenage keeper John McMenamin, a regular centre back this season, deputising for the injured Johnny McGreevy while defensively McNeill, Murnin and Paul King were strong and resolute. In midfield Bingham, Bonner, Steven King and Wilcox are willing workers while Graeme McMullan and Steven Bridges are willing runners up front. The team is supported by Blackwood, Scott and Hayes with others unavailable or injured having to fight for their places.

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.