WEEKEND ROUND UP:
South Antrim 0-7 Instonians
With Hutchy on holiday, Ian Glass was called in to make his competitive goalkeeping debut, just 1 month after donning the pads. South played exceptionally well in the first half, but still conceded two from two short corner rebounds after Ian saved the initial drags. It all went to hell mid way through the 2nd half however, as Inst moved to a full press and South had no answer as Inst scored 5 with ease following mistakes under pressure.
South Antrim 2nds 1-4 Banbridge 2nds (N.Wilson
Many expected this to be a white wash defeat, but even without captain Ian Glass and all the other missing players, the 2nds put in a great shift and managed to bag themselves a goal, courtesy of Neil Wilson, en route to a 4-1 loss against the league title contenders.
South Antrim 3rds 3-2 Campbellians 2nds (N.Alister, N.Wilson, A.Farrell)
Fantastic result from the 3rds as they won a tight game. Even better considering a lot of the 3rds players had already played a match for the 2nds to dig them out of a hole. Nathan Alister, Neil Wilson and Andy Farrell on the scoresheet.
South Antrim 4ths 4-0 Belfast Harlequins 3rds (I.McElhenny x2, S.Glenn, A.Collins)
Captain Alister said he'd keep a clean sheet this week, and keep a clean sheet he did! Didn't quite score 14 like last week, but 4-0 is still a superb scoreline. Gaza's army just can't stop scoring, or more to the point, Ian McElhenny can't stop scoring, he bagged another 2 today.
South Antrim 5ths 1-5 Portadown 3rds (A.Glass)
An Adam Glass flick proved only a consolation goal as Portadown ran riot on home turf, scoring 5 against our young 5ths.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 0-1 Portadown 3rds
The girls put up a good fight but again come out the wrong side of a 1 goal loss. Lucy Fitzpatrick won player of the match.
Weekend Roundup:
South Antrim 1-0 Newry (C.Henry)
South dominated this Kirk Cup encounter but just couldn't score for love nor money, as a flick appeal was rejected, another flick decision was reverted to a short and Getty had a tame (and I'm being kind) effort clearance off the line. However, it was Chris Henry to the rescue in the final play of the game when he deflected home a short corner to seal the points.
South Antrim 3rds 1-2 Kilkeels 3rds (G.Glass)
A classic George Glass short corner strike found the bottom corner in a match that, after a rocky start, was fairly even.
South Antrim 4ths 14-1 North Down 5ths ( I.McElhenny x5, A.Hamilton Jnr x 4, P.Cochrane x2, S.Glenn, K.Gamble, A.Smith)
Ian McElhenny seems to have continued his goal scoring from last season, nabbing 5 today. Also a return to hockey for Kurtis Gamble, scoring on his re-debut. Possibly a record scoreline for South Antrim? Can anyone check this?
South Antrim 5ths 2-0 Derg Valley 1sts (N.Wilson x2)
Neil Wilson bagged both goals, one a reverse and the other from a short to bring the points back to Lisburn.
South Antrim Ladies 2nds 2-3 Ulster Elks 4ths (L.Boomer x2)
The Ladies 2s, got promoted this year but haven't found the step up too hard to handle, losing by 1 in a close contest in the League.
Thanks to our Sponsor of the Month, total-hockey.com, there for all your hockey needs!
South Antrim 1-4 Portadown (C.Henry)
A poor start for South cost them. The guys were 2-0 down after a nightmare 6 minutes after a missed tackle lead to a tap in at the back post and then shortly after a deflected shot looped over Hutchy in slow motion.
The boys got back into it and would have been 5-2 up at the end of the half if it hadn't been for 2 goal line clearances and a stellar performance from the Ports keeper. South pulled one back with a classic short corner deflection by Chris Henry. Against the run of play, Portadown nabbed a 3rd with another tap in after a crashed ball in. Then late on, got a controversial 4th when the ball cross the line after hitting an attacker's foot after the initial save by Hutchy.
The boys know they will have to be much better if they are to get the points next week at home to Newry.
South Antrim 4-0 Friends' School
South had their annual training match against the club's Landlords, Friends' School. The game was played in great spirits, and with 9 'Old Boys' on the South team it was like winding the clock back to the their school hockey days. Great to see so many South players on the Friends' team too. We wish them all the best for the season!
South Stingrays 0-0 Newry Knights
South Stingrays 0-2 Mossley Bulls
South Stingrays 0-1 Dale Dragons
A night to forget as our South team struggled in the Super 9s. They guys started slow and ended slower. Nevertheless, they've learnt a lot about their opponents for the upcoming Premier League.
Senior player Mark Gray has this to say:
"We never really got going, its hard to get jacked up without Jack Redpath actually being there. A disappointing night of hockey, but still, was nice to see Lee Marshall back, I missed him."
