WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 1-9 Pembroke Wanderers (L.Marshall)
Far from the one sided affair that the scoreline suggests. South nearly went 1-0 up after 10mins. Then promptly conceded 5 tap ins before Paul Maguire had a super goal disallowed. The second half was a great display from South and Lee Marshall scored from a short corner deflection. Again the Dublin side replied, with 4 goals. Pembroke were, quite simply, deadly in the D, whilst South weren't so deadly at the other end, in between these two zones, it was an open game. Man of the Match was Adam Marshall who kept Pembroke's internationals quiet all game.
South Antrim 2nds 2-1 Mossley 2nds (N.Wilson x2)
Having had Jack Moore pinched hours before hit off to replace the injured Chris Redpath on the firsts, Ian must have been thinking the hockey gods were against him. However, goal scoring god, Neil Wilson descended onto the pitch to fire South 2nds to victory with 2 goals. The first a deflection from a rebounded short corner, the second a delightful chip. He has returned to form in style.
South Antrim 3rds 4-1 Cliftonville 2nds (G.Glass x2, C.McCandless, K.Gamble)
This result means Ashley will with a smile as well as a sombrero as the 3rds remain top of Junior 4. Veteran George Glass bagged a brace, one a trademark short corner hit. Callum McCandless was next to get his name on the score sheet, with a trademark tap in, before Kurtis Gamble scored a drive across goal after a trademark 30m sprint.
South Antrim 4ths 3-3 Mossley 5ths (J.Taylor, A.Glass Jnr, B.Brittain-Dissont)
I must apologise for my Weekend Preview, I built it all up for Junior, not knowing he wasn't playing this weekend, anyway, hopefully his run will continue in scoring in 9 consecutive games that he's played in next week. On this occasion, Chairman Taylor led by example and scored the first, Adam Glass Junior scored via a kind deflection from a defender's stick and Bryce Brittain-Dissont rounded off the scoring display with a cool finish. Sometime during the match, Mossley scored 3.
South Antrim 5ths 0-4 Lisnagarvey 6ths
A bad day at the office. Another South team fall victim to a Garvey team below them in the league table.
South Antrim Ladies 0-1 PSNI Ladies
The ladies squandered chance after chance, missing countless shorts. PSNI nabbed the points with one of only a handful of attempts on goal with ricocheted short corner hit. Captain Elaine Aiken had this to say, 'AAAAAGGHHHHH!!! I can't believe we gave the points to PSNI!!'. Truer words have never been spoken. Zara Carson won the coveted Player of the Match award.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds v Ulster Elks Ladies 4ths (POSTPONED)
This 2nd place clash was abandoned due to weather just after South had taken a 2-1 lead.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 1-1 Ards Ladies 5ths (L.McConnell)
More history is made this weekend as the newly formed South Antrim Ladies 3rds won their first point. A goal courtesy of Laura McConnell was enough to secure a draw. The girls remain a point behind Ards 5ths and sit bottom, but don't forget their 5 games in hand!
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 2-2 Portadown (M.Getty, C.Henry)
Another thrilling encounter between two very good sides. Portadown took their chances and went 2 up very early on and pegged South back for long periods in the first half. The second half was all South however, and soon the attacking trio of Gamble Getty and Maguire passed it around the Ports defence allowing Getty to slot home. The second took a while coming, but JP send a teasing ball up the line for Henry to chase an he darted into the circle and nutmegged the keeper with a powerful shot. South went for the winner and we on top in the closing stages but ran out of time to steal all 3 points.
South Antrim 2nds 2-2 Lisnagarvey 3rds (C.Arnott, M.Conn)
The 2nds return to Lisburn with a point from our neighbours. Chris Arnott scored with a placed hit into the bottom corner to open his account for South Antrim after joining in the off season. Mark Conn scored a calm one on one with the keeper to put the boys 2-1 up but unfortunately they couldn't hold out. Still a point against a side that been in Junior 1 far longer than our boys.
South Antrim 3rds - Kilkeel 3rds (McCandless x2, G.Glass, C.Black)
A McCandless double, the second a lovely volley on the turn, a George Glass stroke and a Chris Black finish keeps the win streak alive. Unfortunately they conceded a goal, but they still won, and sit very prettily atop Junior 4. Chris Black also hit the crossbar with a reverse with the goal gaping, the crowd loved the effort though.
South Antrim 4ths 2-0 Ballymena 1sts (A.Glass Jnr, A,Hamilton Jnr)
He's done it again! Junior scores again!! For the 8th game in a row, Junior scores. Showing his versatility in front of goal, he opted for a lobbed finish this week over the keeper in into the far corner. Young Adam Glass scored with a direct hit from a short corner when the ball was slipped right to him from the top.
South Antrim 5ths 1-4 NICS 3rds (A.Collins)
The Friday night fixture this week, a mere consolation goal from Archie as Service were 4 up at the time.Trevor will be happy as this is a great improvement on their last meeting, though this may or may not be due to Trevor umpiring. Can a captain be impartial?
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 3-2 Ards Ladies 5ths (E.Rennie x2, L.Fitzpatrick)
The run goes on for Nicole Bell's girls as Erin Rennie bags 2 and Lucy Fitzpatrick scores the other. A slightly tighter game than the 2nds would have liked as Ards scored 2 short corners to keep in the game. This keeps the girls in second place in the league.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 0-2 Portadown 3rds
The wait for a first win continues but a resolute performance against the league leaders is great progress. Morgan Muir claims Player of the Match and Courtney Mills in nets also put in a great performance.
WEEKEND ROUND UP:
South Antrim 1-1 Newry (P.Maguire)
South donned their swimwear and traveled to Newry in the lashing rain. In an end to end game throughout, South thought they'd stuck first when Ward Phillips tapped home, but then the whistle went and it was called back for South to be awarded a short that was consequently saved. Paul Maguire was on hand to deflect home in Chris Henry's absence to put South 1 up from a second short a few minutes later. Newry got a short of their own at the end of the half and scored it on the 3rd attempt. The second half was a pulsating affair with South maybe edging the upper hand, having several squandered changes.
South Antrim 2nds NO GAME
South Antrim 3rds v Cliftonville 2nds
Called off due to lack of sunshine.
South Antrim 4ths 4-1 South Antrim 5ths (A.Hamilton Jnr x3, G.Campbell) (I.McElhinney)
The headline act got off to a stuttering start, with the lights going out for 20mins shortly after the game started. Once play resumed the 5ths opened the scoring with Ian McElhinney beating Mark Hutchinson at his near post. Junior, not to be out done, scored a hat trick for the 4s. Gareth Campbell scored the 4s final goal with a sweet toma. Junior has scored in 7 consecutive games.
South Antrim Ladies 1sts 0-2 Ards 3rds
The ladies unfortunately crash out of the Intermediate cup with a 2-0 defeat to Ards 3rds. I don't know much else about this game, sorry.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds NO GAME
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 1-3 Queens 5ths (C.Glover)
Chloe Glover goes down in history as the scorer of South Antrim Ladies 3rds first ever goal. Making up for a slow start, 3-0 down after 15 mins, the young, and the young at heart, team started to win a few corners at the end of the first half, with Jen Morrow getting a great chance to get back in the match but denied by some great defending. The second half was an all South affair with a number of chances and short corners coming our way and getting just reward with a few minutes to go with Chloe's great shot.
WEEKEND ROUND UP:
South Antrim 2nds 3-5 Cookstown 2nds (D.Hutchinson x2, M.Conn)
The seconds certainly aren't finding it hard to score against the top teams, just keeping them out is the problem. Fresh off his season debut for the 1sts last night, Daz dazzled County Tyrone will silky skills and scorching shots. He netted a rasping reverse and a tender tap in to get a brace and Mark 'Moke' Conn scored a deft deflection from a composed cross. Unfortunately not enough as Cookstown netted five.
South Antrim 3rds 1-0 Mossley 4ths (G.Glass)
The run goes on, the 3rds are yet to drop points, yet to even concede a goal and they sit pretty at the top of Junior 4. Despite their dominance the 3rds could only register the one goal, another from George Glass at a short corner. Captain Ashley Sloan is now away on a 3 week scouting trip to Mexico to search for hidden talent to help bolster his squad.
South Antrim 4ths 6-0 Belfast Harlequins 3rds (A.Smith x3, A.Glass Jnr x2, A.Hamilton Jnr)
A hat-trick of shorts for Alan Smith, a brace from young Adam Glass, one of which was a brilliant half volley, and the customary weekly goal from Junior saw the 4ths comfortably beat Quins 3rds.
South Antrim 5ths 2-6 Ballymena 1sts (I.McElhinney, A.Pyper)
After being 4-0 down at half time the 5ths went on to draw....the second half 2-2. Ian McElhinney, on an outing for the 5ths to recapture his goal scoring confidence, did just that and netted his first goal in seven weeks from a short corner. Even with that drought, he is still only 3 goal off top scorer Junior in the charts. Adam Pyper netted a consolation goal late on.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 2-0 South Antrim Ladies 3rds (L.McConnell, E.Drayne)
The Ladies 2nds proved why they were the 2nds with a comfortable and confident win over the newly formed Ladies 3rds. Laura McConnell opened the scoring with a superbly executed finish from beyond flick spot after the 2nds midfield toyed with the 3rds defence. Emer Drayne scored the second with a powerful precision strike from the edge of the area into the corner after a brilliant through ball was played into her. A great performance keeping up their great run in the league.
South Antrim Ladies 3rds 0-2 South Antrim Ladies 2nds
The Ladies 3rds had their first ever match this weekend, they put the Ladies 2nds to the sword and made them work incredibly hard for their points in a game that could have easily seen the 3rds run out victors. The 3rds were easily soaking up the pressure from the 2nds before a hopeful pass into the circle fell to Laura McConnell via a kind deflection, she miscontrolled the ball, wrong footing the goalkeeper, before scoring with a tame push past the stranded keeper. The second was equally as lucky as yet another kind ricochet fell kindly to a 2nds forward, Emer Drayne, who topped her shot, accidentally skewing it into the opposite corner to which she was aiming, leaving the keeper with no chance.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
A huge successful weekend for the 1sts as they progress to the second round of the Irish Senior Cup without even lifting a stick. Well done men.
South Antrim 2nds 1-2 Banbridge 2nds (J.Brown)
Another great performance from the 2nds but in the end, they were highly unlucky to take a point. James Brown was first to react to a loose ball in the circle and he took his chance well, slotting home between the keeper legs.
South Antrim 3rds 5-0 Newry 3rds (G.Glass x2, C.McCandless x2, C.Black)
True to most encounters between these clubs, it was another feisty encounter. George Glass grabbed a double but was denied a hat-trick when he missed a stroke. Callum McCandless also nabbed a double, both back post tap ins. Chris Black got the last goal with a rocket of a reverse.
South Antrim 4ths 2-4 Lisnagarvey 6ths (A.Hamilton Jnr, A.Collins)
The 4ths had a less enjoyable day, losing 4-2 to our Hillsborough neighbours. Junior continued his fine form in front a goal by scoring again, his 6th goal in 5 games. Archie Collins scored South's second.
South Antrim 5ths 2-0 Belfast Harlequins 3rds (A.Pyper, N.Donald)
The 5ths got back to winning ways, with a 2-0 win over Quins. Adam Pyper and Nathan Donald scored the win. This leaves the 5ths mid table, just under the 4ths in Junior 5.
The Ladies Club had no games.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 5-3 North Down (A.Glass, P.Maguire, C.Henry x2, M.Getty)
South got points on the board in style today. They opened with an Adam Glass drag flick, followed by a Paul Maguire tap in from Chris Henry's shot. North Down pulled one back with a drag of their own before Chris Henry scored a wonderous deflection from a caned cross from Mark Gray. North Down scored early in the second half as a forward was allowed to walk into the circle and take a shot. South got back on track and Matty Getty restored a 2 goal cushion in identical style to North Down's second. The Comber side scored a second drag flick before Chris Henry scored from a pinball short corner in which, Nathan Gamble, Ward Phillips, Jonny Patterson and Chris Redpath all had shots saved. All in all, a great performance from the lads and they deserved their win.
South Antrim 2nds 0-3 Annadale 2nds
A makeshift team is becoming the norm for Captain Ian Glass, but he does well nonetheless. Jack Redpath put in a great shift, as did Stephen Hood on a call up from the 3rds. The surprise however, was not the scoreline, but that Neil Wilson failed to score. Things didn't go his way today, proving he is still human and not a hockey God after all. He will bounce back and will be determined to score next week.
South Antrim 3rds 2-0 North Down 4ths (K.Gamble, G.Glass)
Getting Kurt Gamble out of retirement at age 22, seems to have been a stroke of genius by Ashley Sloan, he scored again this week, using his pace to roll his marker and unleash a shot. George Glass scored a short corner strike to make it 2-0, meaning Ashley's men retain top spot in the league.
South Antrim 4ths 1-4 NICS 3rds (A.Hamilton Jnr)
A better result than the 5ths, but still a loss unfortunately. Junior scored yet another goal for his club, finishing from close range. Next week sees the men take on Garvey 6ths, always a tasty encounter.
South Antrim 5ths 2-6 Down 1sts (S.Geary, B.Faulkner)
Apparently Down played the game with just 9 players, but when camp in their own circle it must feel like 20. Down scored on the counter before Shane Geary equalized. Down went ahead again after the break from another long ball counter. Ben Faulkner scored an equalizer shorty after before Down scored 4 unanswered as the young 5ths crumbled.
South Antrim Ladies 3-0 Malone Ladies (L.Boomer, V.Donaldson x2)
The Ladies 1s scored three in an emphatic win over Malone, they were the best team throughout and went one when Lauren Boomer tricked the keeper into scoring an own goal, but we'll chalk it down as Lauren anyway. Vicky Donaldson is proving to be a great signing as her mazy dribbles got her 2 goals, one from a great hit from the top and a second from dribbling along the baseline and slotting home.
South Antrim 2nds 1-0 Owls 2nds (L.McConnell)
The Ladies 2s continued their great start in this league after last year's promotion, bagging another 3 points against Owls. Laura McConnell was the savior, scoring in the dying seconds. The celebrations were mad.
Reminder about the Halloween Disco tonight at the Racquets Club from half 7!
WEEKEND ROUND UP:
South Antrim 1-3 Raphoe (P.Maguire)
Raphoe continue to be a thorn in South's side, as their poor form against the Donegal side goes on. South didn't play badly, but didn't play well either, they let Raphoe's ...err.. traditional style.. get the better of them on too many occasions. South dominated for the entirety of the game, yet Raphoe went 1-0 up from a short corner rebound midway through the first half. South got a deserved goal from a short rebound of their own, courtesy of Paul Maguire. A controversial goal put Raphoe ahead with 5 minutes remaining and then whilst gunning for a last minute equalizer, a ranch at the back unfortunately added gloss to the scoreline in favour of the hosts.
South Antrim 2nds 3-2 Kilkeel 2nds (M.Conn, N.Wilson, D.Hutchinson)
The seconds are joint top of Junior 1, who would have guessed it. Mark Conn scored a short corner deflection worthy of the previous wearer of hid No.13 shirt. Neil Wilson scored a volley to extend his goal scoring run, and Darren Hutchinson got another goal from this new mysterious short corner routine.
South Antrim 3rds 6-0 Cookstown 5ths (G.Glass x2, J.Deane x2, D.Hutchinson, N.Wilson)
I said in the preview that this was going to be a close game, I got that wrong, badly wrong. John Massay and Pete Davis ran the show from the back, allowing the forwards to create and score chances at will. Another game and another goal for Neil Wilson, I believe he scored in all of his seven games this season, I think we'll charge him double subs. George Glass scored a volley from the top of the circle and Daz went on a rampage, beating 4 players then going for glory from an impossible angle and scoring.
South Antrim 4ths 5-0 Antrim 3rds (A.Hamilton Jnr x2, J.Taylor, S.Glenn. C.Black)
Junior adds two more notches to his stick, netting a brace on route to 5-0 win. Jonny Taylor, Stu Glenn and Chris Black scoring the rest. When asked to describe the game, captain Graeme Alister said 'I was lights out'. I have no idea if this is a positive or negative comment on his performance.
South Antrim 5ths WIN-LOSS North Down 5ths
The 5ths win by forfeit as North Down couldn't field a team. Well done Trev, good tactic!
South Antrim Ladies 0-1 Ballynahinch Ladies
South Ladies came away on the wrong end of 1-0 scoreline away in Ballynahinch. Just like the Mens 1sts' game, the Ladies were in a physical battle from the offset. Ballynahinch scored a short corner and played the long ball thereafter. Alannah Richardson and Charis Rodgers came close to equalizing on occasions but the shots went past the posts. Allison Marsden was given Player of the Match in a great defensive display as she cut out all the Hinch long hits.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 5-0 Mossley 4ths (L.McConnell x3, A.Wright x2)
A hat trick from Laura McConnell and a double from strike partner Amy Wright as the girls ran riot on home turf. Carly Niblock tried her best to get in on the fun, but her goal was ruled out. She was awarded the Player of the Match for her efforts though, so go Carly!
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 3-4 Kilkeel (A.Glass, C.Henry x2)
The keenly anticipated league opener, South's first ever game in the Ulster Premier League. South even scored first with an Adam Glass drag flick by Russell. South Antrim were on top for long periods before Kilkeel netted a drag flick of their own. Then quickly went in front by a volley on the turn by Annett. Soon into the second half, a chain of defensive errors lead to another Kilkeel short, duly dispatched again by a drag flick. South stepped it up pressed high up the pitch, winning a short corner from another Chris Henry mazy run. Henry scored his deflection to get South back into it. However, their pressing their undoing as a break away lead to another Kilkeel short, dispatched on the rebound by Agnew. Credit to the boys that they didn't give up, and Henry scored a deserved second deflection from a short. With South really on top and Kilkeel on the ropes, the final whistle went, denying the Lisburner's an upset.
South Antrim 2nds 2-7 Newry 2nds (N.Wilson, D.Hutchinson)
The seconds didn't have a good day of it either, losing 7-2 to Newry 2nds. Neil Wilson got the score sheet with a first time shot to prolong his record of scoring in every game. Daz Hutchinson scored a second from a short corner routine too secret to tell me about.
South Antrim 3rds 1-0 Portrush 2nds (K.Gamble)
In a tightly fought contest, the 3rds came out on top in Ballycastle. They secured the only win in the mens' club this weekend, and the man to thank; Kurtis Gamble, a strong side arc and a pile-driver shot decided the game.
South Antrim 4ths 2-4 Lisnagarvey 6ths (A.Hamilton Jnr, A.Smith)
The 4ths made the journey out of Lisburn down the dual carriageway to Hillsborough. Unfortunately they didn't get the result they wanted from our neighbours and lost 4-2. Alan Smith netted a volley at the back post and Junior scored his 257th goal for the club, controlled a ball in and beating the keeper with a placed shot.
South Antrim 5ths 2-9 NICS 3rds (C.Black, S.Taggart)
A day to forget for the 5ths as they return from Stormont with nothing. It started well though, Chris Black scored from a short corner to go 1 up, but that was the end of that, Civil Service hit 6 before Simon Taggart netted from open play, but then Service romped in another 3 to close out the game.
South Antrim Ladies 5-2 Cooke Ladies (C.Rodgers, V.Donaldson x2, A.Richardson, L.Boomer)
The ladies got back to winning ways in emphatic style, a 5-2 win over Cooke Ladies. Charis Rodgers netted before Cooke's equalizer, Vicky Donaldson netted a brace before Alannah Richardson and Lauren Boomer added to the score line. Cooke scored a sneaky one at the end. The Ladies sights must be set on winning promotion even at this early stage of the season.
South Antrim 2nds 3-0 Holywood 2nds (R.Sullivan x2, L.McConnell)
The Ladies club are on fire this weekend! Nicole Bell's team thumped their Holywood counterparts by 3 goals with Rachel Sullivan netting twice and Laura McConnell bagging the other. An unprecedented three way tie for player of the match, shared by Emer Drayne, Jill Holley and Rachel Sullivan.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 1-4 NICS (M.Gray)
South couldn't pull off the cup upset unfortunately as NICS go through. In the first half, arguably South were slightly on top, though having to defend for long periods, they created more chances but couldn't convert. A Chris Barnes drag gave the visitors the lead just prior to half time. A second Barnes drag flick very close to the restart, added the cushion for a more attacking style. NICS squeezed in a dubious third after borderline dangerous play in the circle then a 4th with a neat deflection that Hutchinson 95% saved. Mark Gray scored a consolation goal late on, but what a consolation goal, a one hand surging run from the corner of the 25 along the entire baseline, then flicking goal bound from no angle at all. Wow. The Premier league campaign starts next week, home to Kilkeel.
South Antrim 2nds 2-3 Annadale 2nds (D.Hutchinson, N.Wilson)
A fantastic display from the 2s away to Annadale 2s was just not enough to claim the points. A trademark windmill shot from Daz Hutchinson found the top corner and a diving deflection from Neil Wilson after a base line dribble form Chris Arnott were the goals. Neil Wilson couldn't add a third as he hit the post from a penalty flick as Annadale ran out 3-2 winners.
South Antrim 3rds 1-2 Mossley 4ths (S.Hood)
The thirds also failed to get the points this weekend in Glengormley. Stephen Hood took the loss hard, rumour has it he got... agitated. He did manage to bag South's only goal.
South Antrim 4ths 4-4 Downpatrick 1sts (A.Hamilton Jnr, J.Taylor, A.Collins, A.Smith)
An Archie Collins finish, a diving one handed reverse from Junior, a weaving Chairman Taylor solo goal, and a rocket of a short from Alan Smith were enough to earn a hard fought draw as a strong Down side scored four straight hits from shorts.
South Antrim 5ths 2-2 Antrim 3rds (A.Glass Jnr, S.Taggart)
Tags marked his return to his boyhood club with a goal and another goal from young Adam Glass put the hosts ahead before defensive errors allowed Antrim back into it to level the game. Trev is not pleased.
South Antrim Ladies 0-3 Parkview
Unfortunately the Ladies return from Ballyclare with nothing after Parkview scored 3 without reply. I at hope at least the view of the park was nice.. Must be if they named a club after it.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 2-3 Grosvenor Ladies 4ths (A.Wright x2)
Close but no cigar again for the Ladies as they too have nothing to show after their weekend's hockey. Last season's goal machine Amy Wright got her account up and running, scoring twice. Allegedly, the deciding goal came from a shot outside the circle, but unfortunately these things happen.
WEEKEND ROUND UP
South Antrim 2nds 2-4 Lisnagarvey 3rds (J.Semple, N.Wilson)
The scoreline doesn't entirely reflect the game. Although Garvey were dangerous and took their chances, South had far more chances but couldn't hit a barn door. Some free shots skewed well wide and those on target too soft and easily dealt with. John Semple with a routine short corner deflection and Neil Wilson's cool close range finish were goals for the hosts on a disappointing day where they should have won.
South Antrim 4ths 0-0 Ballymena 1sts
Gaz's lads traveled north missing some players and his make shift team couldn't live up to the hype. His gung-ho attacking philosophy couldn't break down the stubborn Ballymena defence and they came home with just a point.
South Antrim 5ths 3-0 Mossley 5ths (P.Davis x2, J.Massey)
John Massey's lung busting 5 metre sprint to the back post to score a tap in typified the effort the men in black and red put in the game. Peter Davis on his home debut for the club netted twice, the first a straight from a short that nearly put the post man over the line too and the second a thumping hit following a full pitch sprint to get on the end of Adam Pyper's cross.
South Antrim Ladies 1sts 4-0 PSNI (J.Clarke, A.Dugan, V.Donaldson, A.Patton)
The ladies stole the show and the points from the Police. A reverse lob by Alex Dugan started off a cascade of goals from Vicky Donaldson, Amy Patton and Jo Clarke.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 2-0 Banbridge 4ths (L.Fitzpatrick, C.Niblock)
After 2 weeks of narrow losses, things clicked today for the girls, Lucy Fitzpatrick scored within five minutes as the ladies 2s cruised to a 2-0 win. Never really under any pressure, it was chance after chance for the home side. A deserved second goal came from Carly Niblock, who celebrated in style.
