Results for Saturday 31st January 2009

31st January 2009

Home Win as 4th A Cling On

Sixmile leisure centre saw old rivals 4TH Newtownabbey and Wesley lock horns again in a fiery and controversial encounter. It is the first time the teams have met since 4TH pipped the Lisburn side to the 2C championship last season, perhaps this being the reason for tempers flaring on several occasions on Wesley’s behalf. Newtownabbey came flying out of the traps and with only 2 minutes on the clock, Gilmore latched onto a Trimble flick on to coolly slot his shot into the bottom corner. With the away side feeling there was a foul in the build up, the referee had no option but to give the left back his marching orders after an incredible verbal assault on the official. After Trimble and winger Craig had spurned chances to increase the lead, the second goal did arrive thanks to an exquisite pass from Gilmore, setting up his strike partner Trimble to ram home. But as anyone knows, playing against ten men can be harder than against eleven, and this was the case. To Wesley’s credit, they never lay down and attacked the hosts at every opportunity and got their due rewards when a midfielder pulled one back. It could have been worse for Dickson’s troops as King fantastically tipped a goal bound shot onto the post. Instead, it was from a Donnelly long throw with Gordon flicking the ball on, Trimble steered his header into the corner of the net to put his side 3-1 up. The Co. Down side seemed to lose their discipline when their striker dived in two footed on MacAuley then stamped on him, however he managed to escape with a caution.

Newtownabbey were fortunate that they managed to produce a good, attacking display in the first half and score three goals, as this was as good it got for the Carnmoney side. ‘The second half was a flat, lackluster and unsatisfactory performance’ as Dickson put it. Wesley dominated most of the second half and for long spells; it looked as it was they who had the man advantage. 4TH were pressed and again it was King who kept the visitors at bay with a couple of fine saves. They did set up a nervous finale when their impressive forward scored a spectacular volley. Hadn’t it been for some excellent defending, the 2C runners up could have claimed a point but Newtownabbey were able to hold on to claim their third win in a row. Although they made hard work for themselves, plus sides from the game saw another vital three points and the return of midfielder Scourfield from injury, although it did see Macaulay having to hobble off from that earlier tackle.

Team:- King, McNeilly, Lawson, Gordon, Lane, MacAuley, Donnelly, N. Harvey, Craig, Gilmore, Trimble. Subs:- Cullen, Kennedy, Scourfield.

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St Andrews YM 8-4 4th C

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