WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 2-2 Mossley (W.Phillips, C.Henry)
They would have liked a win, but as the game played out, they can be happy with a draw. A far from perfect performance on an.... unfamiliar surface was saved by grit and determination in a dogged game. The guys went one down in bizarre circumstances as a mishit shot from a short bobbled past everyone and barely crossed the line. It really was slower than a snail. Ward Phillips popped up with a rare goal as he used quick reflexes to turn Adam Glass' reverse, that was going high and wide into the net with an overhead deflection. Mossley scored a second short with a properly hit straight shot before, with just minutes on the clock, Chris Henry scored from a short. At the death Mossley threatened to steal all the points with a short corner on the final whistle but Adam Glass deflected the drag round the post.
South Antrim 2nds 1-2 Kilkeel 2nds (G.Glass)
The high flying seconds crash back to earth with an away defeat to Kilkeel. A weakened team made the trip down and were jetlagged after the drive. The went one down early on and the team didn't kick into life until conceding again after and error early in the second half. A quick counter shortly after allowed George Glass to score and they could have tied the game up in the last play but an overload chance was wasted with an errand pass.
South Antrim 4ths 1-2 NICS 3rds (A.Glass Jnr)
A better result than last time out but Graeme Alister is not happy. Beaten by a ghost goal, whatever that is. And had a good goal disallowed as Junior's shot was deemed to have been from outside the circle. Adam 'Glue' Glass scored, though a defender did most of the work.
South Antrim 5ths 4-1 Mossley 5ths (I.McElhinney x3, B.Faulkner)
The 5ths took to the field after the 1sts in Glengormley and showed them how its done. An Ian McElhinney hat-trick and an Ben Faulkner penalty stroke saw them run out easy 4-1 victors.
South Antrim Ladies 2-0 PSNI Ladies (V.Donaldson, S.Neill)
The Ladies progress to the Quarter Finals of the Intermediate Plate. Vicky Donaldson put the hosts a goal ahead with a thunderous drive from a short corner. Lucy Fitzpatrick was on fine form, pulling the strings for the team in midfield. A final whistle short corner saw the South ladies score again when they converted a 'number 3' by virtue of Steph Neill. I believe the men's firsts have copyright over that move.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 3-3 Ulster Elks Ladies 4ths (R.Sullivan x2, E.Rennie)
The girls were in action on Friday night and got themselves a draw away in Jordanstown. This keeps the 1 point cushion Elks have over South in 3rd place in Junior 7. Since Elks have 2 games in hand, South really could have done with winning this one to stand a chance of the promotion playoff spot.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 1-0 Saintfield 3rds (E.Aiken)
Erin Aiken showed her hockey pedigree and did the club captain and mother proud as she dribbled from the half way line past several players before smashing the ball home, a defender got a touch but was beaten by the sheer power of the shot. The ladies showed great spirit to hold out and claim the win, sending them through in the Minor Cup
South Antrim 4-3 North Down (J.Patterson, C.Henry, M.Getty x2)
South win this crucial game to put space between themselves and North Down at the bottom of the table. They couldn't have gotten a better start as Jonny Patterson slapped home when the ball fell kindly after the initial shot. Matthew Getty doubled the lead when Chris Henry waltzed along the baseline and set him up for a tap in. North then pulled one back with a drag flick. Soon after Chris Henry dispossessed a defender and beat the keeper one on one. In the second half South soaked up the pressure with ease but could have had the game out of sight as two pull backs were missed, a shot saved off the line and a missed penalty flick. Eventually South did score a 4th as a pull back from Henry again found Getty, who found the corner with a crisp shot. North Down scored a second drag flick and in the dying minutes reduced the deficit to one with their own penalty flick. The boys can climb the table if they get a result against Mossley this Saturday.
South Antrim 1-4 NICS (C.Henry)
The men slump to a 5th defeat in a row. I hear they played well, but against the run of play, Service netted a short corner drag, I'll assume it was Chris Barnes. They went on to score another short corner on the rebound before going three after a kind deflection fell to a forwards stick. A fourth was scored after a forward cut the ball back from the base line. Chris Henry scored South's goal after a baseline run of his own, squeezing it in at the near post.
South Antrim 2nds 7-1 Bangor 2nds (N.Wilson x3, M.Conn x2, N.Gamble, C.Varghese)
What is Ian Glass feeding these guys?? The 2nds wiped the floor with 2nd placed Bangor. 6-0 up at half time, simply superb. Neil's hat-trick sends him up to 2nd in the top scorers list, tied with Ian McElhinney. Not that it matters, Junior is waaaayy out in front. This result was an eleven goal swing from the 5-0 defeat Ian's men suffered to Bangor just one month ago.
South Antrim 3rds FORFEIT WIN Cliftonville 2nds
The 3rds climb out of 3rd and into 2nds with this walkover win over Cliftonville 2nds. The sit 4 points adrift of Annadale 4ths in first, but do have 3 games in hand.
South Antrim 4ths 2-3 Down 1sts (A.Hamilton Jnr, C.McCandless)
The 4ths lost this 6 pointer against Down 1sts, now 9 points off top and sitting in 4th, is the dream dead of Graeme Alister's men? In other news, Junior nets again, fancy that.
South Antrim 5ths 7-1 Antrim 3rds (I.McElinney x2, N.Donald x2, J.Deane x2, B.Faulkner)
This was an important game for Trevor's men at the bottom of the table and they proved themselves and then some. They definitely made up for the shambles earlier in the season against this side. There were braces apiece for Ian McElhinney, John Deane and Nathan Donald and goal for Ben Faulkner.
South Antrim Ladies 1-0 Ballynahinch Ladies (S.Neill)
The ladies got the win they needed over Ballynahinch to keep their cup dreams alive. And they even did it without their schoolgirls and veteren defensive stalwart Joanne Clarke. A Steph Neill goal was enough to separate the sides.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 4-0 South Antrim Ladies 3rds (D.Healsey, A.Wright, L.Boomer, L.Stewart)
No quarter given as the 3rds romped to victory over their XI clubmates. Carol Redpath was the midfield dynamo on the day but couldn't stop the 2nd XI juggernaut as Danielle Healsey, Amy Wright, Lauren Boomer and Lucy Stewart got their names on the scoresheet.
South Antrim 2nds 2-2 Banbridge 2nds (D.Hutchinson, N.Gamble/C.Varghese)
Another great game from the 2nds, the went one up through a Darren Hutchinson penalty flick and held on to half time. Banbridge got back in it with 2 goals but Nathan Gamble saved a point when he rocketed a drag flick into the bottom corner that Cyril Varghese may have got a touch on, we'll let them fight it out for credit.
South Antrim 3rds 1-4 Portadown 2nds (S.Hood)
South took the lead early on from a Stephen Hood shot but couldn't keep it up as the Junior 3 side netted 4 short corner goals to down Ashley's men.
South Antrim 4ths 3-1 Mossley 5ths (A.Hamilton Jnr x2, B.Faulkner)
Graeme Alister's men advance to the next round of the Minor Cup after a 3-1 victory over Mossley 5ths. Need you ask who scored, of course it was Junior. He netted twice and are resident Avenger Faulk-eye (Ben Faulkner) scored the 3rd.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 1-0 Owls 2nds (A.Wright)
Amy Wright nets the winner in a tight game with Owls 2nds. Her stellar performance also earned her Player of the Match.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 0-5 Mossley Ladies 4ths
A disappointing afternoon for the ladies 3rds as they were steam rolled 5-0 by the visiting Mossley team.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 2-4 Portadown (A.Glass, L.Marshall)
A much improved performance from the guys, they gave Portadown a two goal head start as usual before Adam Glass scored a straight hit at a short corner, just like Dad. They battled hard in the second half and got a deserved equaliser via a Lee Marshall short corner deflection with 7 minutes left, then a lapse in concentration allowed a Ports forward to score a diving deflection from a pull back to get their noses back in front with 2 minutes to go, they added gloss to the scoreline with a penalty flick exactly on the hooter when Hutchy made mince meat of a forwards legs.
South Antrim 2nds 5-2 Annadale 2nds (N.Wilson, A.Farrell, N.Gamble, D.Hutchinson x2)
What a game. Utterly fantastic from the boys in red and black. Andy Farrell rifled in a reverse into the top corner in the first minutes before the Dazzler squeezed in a second. Daz scored a penalty flick to round off a sensational first 10 minutes. Nathan Gamble scored a drag flick to put the hosts four up. Matt Frazer then pulled off the goal line save of the century as he turned a 'Number 3' deflection round the post from point blank range. In the second half Phil Spaughton needed bigger shorts had he had every Dale forward in his pocket. Neil Wilson then scored a stroke via the keeper's genitalia (not kidding), smelling salts were needed to bring him round. The flood lights went off to force a brief intermission, the boys were rampant but fell asleep with the game won to allow 2 very late Dale goals. This was also Chris Redpath's swan song, he leaves for Japan next weekend, good luck to him!
South Antrim 3rds 4-0 Cookstown 5ths (C.McCandless x2, N.Alister, G.Glass)
The kept the pressure on Dale in the league with another win away to Cookstown. Callum McCandless started the scoring in style as he dribbled from the half way line before striking home. He added a second just before half time with the simplest of tap ins at the back post. Nathan All-star launch a reverse high into the net to make it three before George Glass sold the keeper with an elaborate dummy before slotting home into an empty net.
South Antrim 4ths 4-1 Derg Valley 1sts (A.Collins,S.Glenn, A.Hamilton Jnr x2)
The 4ths dominated this game from start to finish, they had countless short corner but I don't think they scored any. Stu 'Sharpshooter' Glenn poached one to put the home team in front before Archie Collins smashed one in at the near post. Junior then added a simple flick over a downed keeper before adding a lovely reverse sweep from a bouncing cross high into the net in the second half, pure class.
South Antrim 5ths 3-4 Lisnagarvey 6ths (B.Faulkner x2, N.Donald)
So close to earning a draw. Nathan Donald scored first before Ben 'Faulk-eye' Faulkner netted twice in 2 minutes to level the scores with little time left. unfortunately little time was all Garvey needed to score a winner that broke the hearts of the young 5ths.
South Antrim Ladies 0-0 Instonians Ladies
In game the girls reckon they could have won given a bit more luck, they can be proud of a point against the league leaders. Actually they are the league winners now as a point here secured their title, big shout out to Shane Geary a South member, who coaches Inst ladies, Congratulations. Our girls can be happy with how they played a hope to carry it on to their few remaining games.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 0-1 Victorians Ladies 2nds
This cup thriller went to extra time after the first 70 minutes played out a 0-0 tie. A very even contest than was settled in sloppy fashion with a goal mouth scramble ending with a Victorians player bundling the ball barely over the line. This Victorians team is several leagues higher than our girls so credit to them!
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 3-0 Owls Ladies 2nds (A.Wright x2, L.McConnell)
The Ladies 3rds advance to the next round of the Minor Plate after the second win in their short history. Goals from Amy Wright either side of a close range Laura McConnell tap in secure a fantastic win for Carol Redpath's girls.
Only the Mens 2nds and the Ladies 2nds and 3rds were brave enough to play today.
South Antrim 0-5 Bangor 2nds
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 2-0 Mossley Ladies 4ths (E.Rennie, L.Fitzpatrick)
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 1-0 Ulster Elks Ladies 4ths (S.Ferris)
Christmas came really late for the Ladies 3rds, but it was worth it as they got their first win ever!! Santa also brought the snow but the girls powered through. Sarah Ferris scored early on and the girls put on a faultless defensive display to hold on for the win.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 1-7 Belfast Harlequins (J.Brown)
Unfortunately the guys started 2016 just as they finished 2015, with a big defeat away to Quins. James Brown scored for South with a flick into the roof of the net following a well worked short corner. South's defence were left exposed and poor marking let Quins pick out passes in the circle, allowing for easy deflected goals and tap ins, 5 of them to be exact, and 2 drag flicks added to their woes.
South Antrim 2nds 0-7 Lisnagavery 2nds
The 2nds also got a whipping today at the hands of league leaders Garvey 2s. A defeat was expected if truth be told, but Ian Glass is happy with the perfornamce.
South Antrim 3rds 1-2 Newry 3rds (G.Glass)
One run ended and one continued, unfortunately not the one that mattered. South 3rds lost for the first time this season but still hold on to top spot for the time being. George Glass continued is his goal scoring run with a peach today.
South Antrim 4ths 3-2 Derg Valley 1sts (C.Ullmann, A.Hamilton Jnr, A.Collins)
Captain Fantastic Graeme Alister spared the club from a whitewash of defeats this weekend as his side return as valiant heroes from Tyrone. Cameron Ullmann, Archie Collins and Alan Hamilton Junior scored.
South Antrim 5ths 1-2 Belfast Harlequins 3rds (I.McElhinney)
It all seemed to be going to plan for the 5ths when Ian McElhinney scored early on. However, at half time Quins made few impact subs and suddenly South were on the back foot and conceded twice, funny that.
South Antrim Ladies 1-0 Cooke Ladies (S.Neill)
The girls were a bit miffed about the preview I wrote. I like to think of it as inspiration. They were determined to prove me wrong and they did just that, putting on a complete display of hockey with fine goalkeeping from Heather Neill, superb defending and ruthless attacking. Steph Neill scored South's goal.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 3-6 Banbridge Ladies 4ths (R.Young, E.Rennie, L.Boomer)
Scoring wasn't the problem for South 2s in this game, keeping them out was. A day to forget as Ban put 6 past them.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 0-5 Owls 2nds
The girls had their chances but couldn't score. Still, learning experience, onwards and upwards!
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 2-9 Kilkeel (J.Brown, M.Getty)
A disastrous trip to the seaside for the Men's 1sts. Kilkeel were first to everything and with South chasing the game after going down early, they scored numerous times on the break. A super strike from James Brown and a neat reverse from Matthew Getty were the only positives for South on a dire outing.
South Antrim 2nds 1-7 Newry 2nds (C.Arnott)
A disastrous trip to the border town for the Men's 2nds. Newry were first to everything and with South chasing the game after going down early, they scored numerous times on the break. A neat finished from Chris Arnott was the only positive for South on a dire outing.
South Antrim 3rds 4-1 Campbellians (N.Alister, G.Glass, S.Glenn, J.Deane)
An overhead volley with his back to goal by George Glass opened the scoring (I've no idea how this is possible). A Stuart Glenn positioned himself perfectly to tap in at the back post. John Deane blasted home a 3rd from the edge before Stuart Glenn made a mess of a trick, allowing a Campbellians forward to nip in and score. No damage was done as Nathan Alister netted a reverse with aplomb to seal a 7th win from 7 in the League.
South Antrim 4ths 2-2 South Antrim 5ths (A.Glass Jnr, J.Taylor) (I.McElhinney x2)
A true classic of a game, the 5ths nearly made off with the points to humiliate the 4ths. However, Chairman Taylor was having none of it, scoring in the dying moments to tie the game. Adam Glass Junior netted for the 4ths and 2 short corner strikes from Ian McElhinney had the 5ths' noses in front. Many thanks to Chris Moulden for helping out.
Merry Christmas to all, we are back on the 9th of January. #RABA
WEEKEND ROUND UP
Sorry for the delay!
South Antrim 2-2 Mossley (P.Maguire, L.Marshall)
South should have had this game wrapped up by half time. The home side dominated possession and had all the scoring opportunites. Eventually they broke the deadlock when James Brown's powerful drag flick rebounded into the path of Ernest Maguire, who made no mistake in finding the net. On the stroke of half time, Mossley won a short and converted after a slip back to the injector. The second half was a more even affair, as Mossley got bolder. Against the run of play, Mossley got a second with a tap after the umpire unfortunately missed a foot in the build up and South switched off. Determined to regain the 3 points, they deserved, South stepped it up, and were award a flick after Chris Henry was scythed down by 2 Mossley defender when running through on goal. Lee Marshall cooly converted. South perhaps should have had all 3 points as Chris Henry was played in one on one but was flummoxed but the keeper's unorthodox style. All in all, a disappointing draw for South and a well earned point for Mossley.
South Antrim 2nds 1-1 Cookstown 2nds (C.Varghese)
A superb display from the seconds as they got a draw against a top Cookstown team. Even more encouraging is that they should have easily won the game. Neil Wilson, usually so clinical, had 3 short corner hits blocked and missed an open net after rounding the keeper as he blazed his reverse over the bar. Cyril Varghese netted for South in bizarre style, after he dispossessed a defender from the hit out and slotted home into an empty net as the keeper was still returning from getting the ball. Cookstown equalized with a short corner drag flick that Ian admits he really should have saved. The game pittered out in the closing stages, and unfortunately the ever dependable Phil Spaughton picked up an injury and had to hobble off.
South Antrim 3rds V Mossley 4ths (POSTPONED)
No sale this week, just a frozen pitch, Mossley weren't up for a game of ice hockey #zerobanter.
South Antrim 4ths NO GAME
A dismal display from the Baclony Banter Brigade as they failed to brave the cold and sat indoors to watch the games. They was good rendition of 'Man-Bun' during the 2s game against Cookstown.
South Antrim 5ths 2-0 Mossley 5ths (N.Donald, I.MacElhinney)
Nathan Donald slammed home a reverse. Adam Pyper used his speed to dart past his marker and tee up Ian McElhinney for the second, his swivel and shot was as good as anybodies' in the club. Donald and Pyper could have added more, but lacked McElhinney's composure. Trevor Wallace prevented a Mossley comeback by clearing off the line at short corner.
South Antrim Ladies 1-1 Parkview (St.Neill)
An improved scoreline from the last time these two sides met. A share of the points this time about and the league table stays as it was, with South sitting midtable in 4th, still 2 points off Parkview in 2nd. Stephanie Neill got South's goal.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 0-4 Portadown Ladies 3rds
An extremely physical performance from the Portadown Ladies put the girls on the back foot for most of the game. The Ports players bullied their way past the South defender's and the young Southies had no answer. The visitors racked up four goals in a day to forget for South against the league leaders.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 1-2 Banbridge Ladies 4ths (L.McDonnell)
The girls went a goal down early on but showed character beyond (most of) their years to keep fighting against a well drilled Banbridge team who sit comfortably in the top half of the table. Rachel Sullivan nearly leveled as she was dribbled into free space in the circle but smashed her shot inches wide of the back post. A neat interchange between Danielle Heasley and Laura McConnell find an equaliser, with the latter scoring a neat finish. Unfortunately, against the spirit of Christmas, Banbridge scored late on the steal all the points for themselves.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 0-8 Instonians
The guys were without Chris Redpath, still recovering from a shot to the knee in training and Adam Glass, who is out until January with a broken finger but that's no excuse for a poor display. A lethal short corner routine from Inst was South's main undoing, conceding 4 short corner goals in the first half. Heads went down and in the second half and Inst scored another short. Then added another goal via a reverse after the initial shot was blocked. Two more came right at the death to make a poor result worse. South will need to toughen their mental resolve for future games, starting next week, with a big game against Mossley.
South Antrim 2nds 2-0 Cork Harlequins 2nds (N.Wilson x2)
The 2s progress to the next round after cruising to a 2-0 victory over the travelling Cork side. Neil Wilson had a short corner goal chalked off for being too high, despite it hitting the backboard, but via a defender's stick, good call ref. Soon after he blazed a reverse over the fence into No.47 Magheralave's back garden. The signs were showing and he eventually did get a goal, a tap in after the Dazzler did all the hard work . After good attacking play, Neil crashed a reverse cross across goal from wide left, only for it to be turned into the net by a defender.
South Antrim 3rds vs Cliftonville 2nds
Postponed, Cliftonville must have heard about the River Island sale too.
South Antrim 4ths 2-2 Down 1sts (A.Collins, G.McGill)
The game of the day, end to end hockey. South went down 2-0 quite early on via a straight hit short corner and a neat near post deflection. Stevie Kay was then red carded for trying replicate Tyson Fury's heroics, though we didn't see much wrong, the Down player involved escaped punishment. Somehow, the boys upped their game dramatically and netted twice in Steven's absence, via Archie Collins and a first club goal for Gavin McGill. Junior's record ended as he failed to find the net. He's still top of the scoring charts though.
South Antrim 5ths vs Mossley 5ths
Postponed, due to weather and Christmas sales.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 1-0 Owls 2nds (E.Rennie)
The Ladies second progress to the Quarter Finals in Feburary thanks to a solitary goal, from Erin Rennie. Mogran Muir was the provider with a teasing cross, Erin Rennie made beating the keeper look easy with an cool, composed finish worthy of settling any cup tie.
