South Antrim 2nds 0-4 Lisnagarvey 3rds
Another loss to the star studded Garvey 3rds. The boys had a few chances but couldn't put any way, Garvey on the other hand, had were far more clinical in the circle. This results lifts this Garvey team level on points with South in Junior 1.
South Antrim 3rds 3-2 Annadale 4ths (S.Hood, I.McElhinney, J.Deane)
What a game. This top of the top clash had everything, goals, big tackles and fights. Dale took the lead from a straight hit at a short before Stephen Hood nutmegged the keeper after a neat spin in the circle. Dale went ahead again when a forward scored with a strong strike. Dale held the lead for an eternity before Ian McElhinney netted a superb equaliser with his poachers instincts. John Deane was then the man of the moment when he deflected a crashed ball in high into the net. I believe South are ahead, possibly, and now in top spot in Junior 4 with 2 games in hand.
South Antrim 4ths - NICS 3rds (A.Hamilton Jnr x2, S.Hood)
It proved to be 3rd time lucky for the 4ths against Service. They scraped a 3-2 victory. Junior got his customary brace of goals and Stephen Hood got the other. These goals put Junior 8 goals clear at the top of the scorers chart.
South Antrim Ladies 0-0 Ballynahinch Ladies
A scrappy game with little flow, and little in the way of chances. South's chances mostly fell to Steph Neill, who hit the post and drew good saves from the keeper. It lefts the ladies into 3rds place in Senior 4 over PSNI though, so woop.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 0-1 Holywood 2nds
A disappointing day as the 3rds fell to a 1-0 loss the Holywood 2nds in the last few minutes. Goalkeeper Courtney Mills was player of the game.
South Antrim 2nds v Lisnagarvey 3rds
Ian's men can go joint with Bann 2nds in 6th place should they win, likewise, should they lose, tomorrow's opponents Garvey 3rds will go joint with South. This is the 1pm hit off tomorrow.
South Antrim 3rds v Annadale 4ths
A top of the table clash in this 6 pointer. Winning this will not only be 3 points gained but also 3 points Annadale can't get to keep their hold at the top of the table. Another home game at 2.30. Hopefully George Glass will smash home a few and take Ashley's men 1 step closer to silverware.
South Antrim 4ths v NICS 3rds
Also at home, 4pm, the 4ths end the action against NICS 3rds. NICS 3rds is a team they are yet to beat this season, after several attempts (4-1 loss and a 2-1 loss), surely this time they'll win? NICS sit 1 pplace and 5 points about South in the table currently but there are plenty of games to play yet.
South Antrim Ladies v Ballynahinch Ladies
I believe this is the Ladies last game of their league campaign. The ladies scraped a win last win last week against Malone with half a team. Hopefully Elaine will have more regulars available to her this week. Also a home game.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds v Hollywood Ladies 2nds
The only away game of the day. The Ladies 3rds still prop the table up in Junior 7 but there is plenty of games to play for them. Most of the other teams have only South to play to complete their season, South have 7 games backlogged thanks to late entry to the league. 7 games to get 8 points to get them off the bottom.
South Antrim 2-3 Belfast Harlequins (C.Henry, A.Glass)
The lads final league game ended in defeat in heart breaking circumstances. South went a goal up early in the second half with a trademark short corner (incidentally, bringing his tally to 13, which is his shirt number, oh no wait...) before Quins equalized with a short corner of their own on the second attempt. Quins then went ahead with a drag flick at another short corner before South really went on the front foot. Ward Phillips saw 2 chances saved well by the keeper, turning on onto the post and the other clawed out after a pull back from Chris Henry. It was Chris Henry again who pounced on a rebound at a short corner and slammed it into a defenders body on the line to earn a stroke. Adam Glass duly converted. With just two minutes to go, South probably got a bit naive, pressing for the 3 points that would go along way to helping save their season, they were hit on the counter right at the death, simply playing it around Ian Glass in nets, to win the game. A super game of hockey.
South Antrim 3rds 6-1 North Down 4ths (N.Wilson x2, G.Glass x3, A.Glass Jnr)
It was the win the 3rds needed to keep their title hopes alive. George Glass netted a duo of flicks, and finished his hat trick with a volley. Adam Glass got in on the action with a neat reverse over the keep. Now, the story of the game was Neil Wilson, he scored twice, the second a drag flick and immediately subbed himself after, hobbling round the touchline with Gaz Allister as a crutch claiming a pulled hamstring. Minutes later he ran back on just fine, missed a drag flick, then subbed himself again. Shame on you Neil!
South Antrim 4ths 3-0 Antrim 3rds (P.Davis, A.Hamilton Jnr x2)
Peter Davis made the trip up to Antrim after a stellar call up for the 3rds earlier in the day, and he even scored. Some sort of drag flick from open play I'm told. Not bad for a player who started the season on the 5ths. And what's a game of hockey without a few goals from Junior, deflecting one high into the net and beating the keeper one on one for his second.
South Antrim Ladies 1-0 Malone Ladies (S.Neill)
The Ladies 1sts took on Malone at home and gained 3 points with a 1-0 win. Steph Neill picked up a rebound to put the ladies ahead, great forward's instincts. Lots of great play from the ladies throughout today with Rachel Sullivan picking up player of the match. This puts the Ladies tied on 3rd place with PSNI, held off only by goal difference.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 2-1 Owls 2nds (L.McConnell, E.Aiken)
The Ladies 3rds were away to Owls and Laura McConnell got the girls off to a flying start when she connected with a cross with a neat deflection to give the ladies into the lead. Owls managed to pull one back in the second half but the ladies were not finished. From a penalty corner, Erin Aiken put the ladies back into the lead with a well taken strike. Well done Courtney Mills, player of the match, who prevented the Owls girls from lobbing the ball into the net in the closing stages.
South Antrim v Belfast Harlequins
South's final league team takes place tomorrow, at home (3pm) to Belfast Harlequins. After this game, their relegation fight in our of their hands and the pressure is on North Down to get results. Should South win, Newry drop into the trouble and would need results too. Unfortunately for South, Newry and North Down have to play each other, meaning one is likely to get to safety.
South Antrim 3rds v North Down 4ths
Black meets white as South take on North (who are geographically further south) in Junior 4 at home at 1pm.
Ashley Sloan's men are playing catch up after a disastrous winter in which 4 games were cancelled. 7 points off top, with 4 games in hand, South look to keep pace with Annadale at the top. George Glass has been knocking them in for fun recently and his season tally stands at 16.
South Antrim 4ths v Antrim 3rds
Graeme Alister's promotion dreams are a distant memory now, they need to keep winning to keep 4th place ahead of Portadown 3rds, who are 3 points behind with 3 games in hand. Hopefully Junior has his shooting stick with him tomorrow to add to his 24 already this season.
South Antrim 5ths v Derg Valley 1sts
Derg concede. Trev must have sent some threats.
South Antrim Ladies 1sts v Malone Ladies 1sts
This is a Minor Plate match, that's all I know.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds v Owls 2nds
The 3rds sit rooted to the bottom of the table, however they have 7 more games, and since the 2nds are finished, they could take some reinforcements along with them. It won't help in the long run though, they been relegated since day one. Still would be nice to get a good league position.
South Antrim 1-5 Instonians (C.Henry)
South Antrim’s penultimate game of the season took place last weekend with an away fixture to league leaders Instonians. Needing points to ease relegation fears the Lisburn men started brightly, taking the game to by the scruff of the neck and disrupting Inst’s rhythm. Though even this could not prevent an early Inst goal, the home team advanced up the right side, getting in behind the South defence with a neat one-two before faking a shot and passing to the back post for a simple tap in. With the wind knocked out of their sails, South fell into the same trap soon after, Inst drew them out by sitting back before stealing the ball and countering quickly, passing around the South defence again for an easy back post tap in. Now with nothing to lose, the men in black and red started playing with a bit more flair, Adam Glass is particular on the right of midfield dribbled past players with ease but the final ball into the Inst circle was lacking and numerous attacks fell short as the forwards ran out of options.
Inst recognised South’s increased threat and so started a full press to try and suffocate South’s passing options at the back. Young schoolboy Jack Moore was promoted into the team for just this situation, using his long aerial ball to bypass Inst’s press and send forwards Darren Hutchinson and Chris Henry through. On one such occasion, Chris Henry found the foot of a retreating Inst defender to win South a short corner. James Brown’s drag flick was charged down but fell to him again and he fired the ball into the danger area in front of the keeper’s pads, after a few moments of pinball, Inst cleared their lines. Just before the half ended, Inst won their own short corner and netted a drag flick to make it 3-0.
After the interval, South continued playing at a high pace and were rewarded when Ward Phillips ran up the left wing, played a pass infield to the edge of the circle to John Semple who rolled his man and swept a reverse cross towards the flick spot that was met at full stretch by a diving Chris Henry to deflect home. Just moments later, Chris Henry dispossessed a defender and played through Paul Maguire who clashed with the onrushing goalkeeper who had come off his line very early and smothered the chance. The game became a battle of the midfield, with neither side getting clear cut chances. Inst again showed their experience by slowing the game down and overloading key areas to gain the upper hand, soon finding the exposed foot of an overzealous defender diving in. Inst again opted for a drag flick, beating both the keeper and the post man to score again. South kept to their game plan and restricted Inst’s chances to few and far between. However, Inst got a fifth right at the death in a similar fashion to their first two, tired legs in the South team left a gap in defence and tired minds left an unmarked forward and a simple cross was turned in at the back post by the lurking Inst player.
South played good hockey and matched the league leaders for long periods, especially in the second half, but unfortunately, as is the story so often this season, they leave with nothing despite agood display. They face Belfast Harlequins in their final league game at home (3pm) at Friends’ School this Saturday. Harlequins, incidentally, are the only team to defeat Instonians this season.
Elsewhere in the club, The 3rds defeat Kilkeel 3rds 4-1 away to keep pressure on Junior 4 leaders Annadale, a George Glass double as well as a goal apiece for Stephen Hood and Adam Glass gave them the win. The 4ths were the only other team in action last weekend, they lost 7-1 away to Portadown 3rds in Junior 5, Stuart Glenn got South’s goal.
South Antrim 1-5 Instonians (C.Henry)
It wasn't the league changing upset they were hoping for, but South put on a good performance at Shawsbridge. They limited Inst chances to just a handful, but they didn't need to be told twice when they came along, netting 5 of about 7 shots. South's goal came from Ward Phillips in the left corner playing the ball in to John Semple on the edge who rolled his man and played a reverse cross to the flick spot for Chris Henry to dive for, sublime. They nearly scored again when Henry stole the ball off the last man and played in Paul Maguire, but the keeper was out very early and smothered the ball at the edge of the D.
South Antrim 3rds 4-1 Kilkeel 3rds (G.Glass x2, A.Glass Jnr, S.Hood)
Stephen Hood opened the scoring when his bulled his way through 4 defenders before powering home a shot from a tight angle, #winning. George Glass netted just before interval to give South a 2 goal cushion. In the second half Adam Glass got on the end of a cross to score a deft deflection before George Glass struck again to make it 4. Sadly, they couldn't hold on to the clean sheet as Kilkeel scored at the death to reduce the deficit.
South Antrim 4ths 1-7 Portadown 3rds (S.Glenn)
The only thing positive about this was a tidy finish from Stu 'Sharpshooter' Glenn. Other than that it was all Portadown, as they netted 7 times.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 0-0 Ards Ladies 5ths
The ladies seconds end their season with a draw away to Ards 5ths. They will have to wait and see how other results go find out where they finish. Emma Kitchenham was awarded player of the match.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 0-4 Portadown 3rds
The girls held the league leaders at 0-0 until the second half when experience won out and they succumbed to a 4-0 loss. An improvement over last time though, encouraging.
We can confirm the Club is again holding its successful Multi-Sport Summer Scheme this year. Dates finalised as 8th-12th August at Friends' School.
With plenty of hockey as well as rounders, football, tug-of-war, badminton, netball, basketball and the hugely popular dodgeball, along with some invented games thrown in, it will be great week!
Coaches are all experienced and are current 1st XI players keen to pass on the knowledge!
The booking form is available to download from our website under the Juniors/Downloads tab.
Please contact Ward Phillips at youth@southantrim.com with any questions.
South Antrim - Instonians
Despite having lead from day one and having just 2 games left and only losing one of their opening 16, Inst haven't secured the league title. South could pull off a major coup if they take points off Inst, opening the door to Kilkeel to pinch it. Its a big ask, but hey; 07/09/05. Away at Shawsbridge, 2.30pm hit off.
South Antrim 3rds - Kilkeel 3rds
This is a messed up league, South were top for so long, but have barely played since Christmas so sit 5th with 4 games in hand to reach Annadale who are 7 points ahead. Kilkeel sit just below South, one point behind but have played 5 more games. Ashley will hope his team haven't lost the spark after so long out of action. His first obstacle is getting a team together to travel to Kilkeel for a 1pm game.
South Antrim 4ths - Portadown 3rds
I don't think the 4ths have met this Ports side this season. The 5ths have lost both encounters, but they don't have Junior. The can jump into 3rd should they win.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds - Ards Ladies 5ths
This the Ladies final league game, they are currently 3rd, a win would see them go into second. Depending on other results between now and the end of the season they could either stay second or tumble down the table to 6th.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds - Portadown Ladies 3rds
Portadown 3rds, I believe have won the league with 4 games to spare. Our 3rds were relegated on day one, so top versus bottom. Bring it on. This is the only home game of the weekend.
MIDWEEK ROUND UP
South Antrim 3-5 Raphoe (J.Brown, C.Henry, A.Glass)
South couldn't captilise on a weakened Raphoe team tonight as their league position worsens. It wasn't all bad as, at times the guys played good hockey. Raphoe went one up early on as a deflected cross fell kindly to a Raphoe forward who volleyed home from the edge of the area. South then missed a flick after the initial drag hit a foot on the line. They didn't have to wait long as Chris Henry hit is 11th of the season into the top corner. Raphoe went ahead again as a reverse from the edge wriggled through Hutchinson's pads. Adam Glass netted South's second penalty stroke to tie it up again. Raphoe took the lead yet again as a drag flick beat the keeper on his right side. This time James Brown tied the game with a superb drag flick in the side netting. South, at this point were on top and felt that they could push on, but things changed quickly as a long ball through the middle left Ward Phillips with two players to mark in the circle, they simply passed it round him and Hutchinson in nets for an easy finish to take the lead again. Raphoe were awarded a flick of their own as a stick tackle was deemed to impede a scoring opportunity, the Raphoe player made no mistake and put the Donegal men 5-3 up. Despite numerous attacks, stout defending kept South at bay and some cards popped out as frustration grew. Disappointing stuff.
