Draw for South at Antrim in atrocious weather conditions

The dismal weather on Saturday afternoon at Antrim Forum appeared to set the mood for the travelling South Antrim side as their overall performance was equally bleak.

They started the match well with several passages of play leading to chances for Paul Maguire and John Semple up front, however neither of the pair could capitalise. Long balls and a disorganised South team led to chances for Antrim, however, some top class saves from their goalkeeper, Chris Moulden, kept South in the match.

As play continued neither team could find the net and half time rolled around with the game still tied. Antrim then broke the deadlock when they converted a short corner that had been saved multiple times before being bundled into the South Antrim goal. Antrim proceeded to put pressure on the away side and found themselves two goals up. South continued to struggle, however with less than ten minutes to go some good link up play led to John Semple having the ball in the circle with only the goalkeeper to beat and he nonchalantly placed it in the back of the net from a trademark reverse. 

With this goal came a faint glimmer of hope for the Lisburn men and it was then that they started to exert pressure on the home team. The effort in the dying minutes of the match culminated in a short corner for South Antrim with no time left on the clock. All ten outfield players lined up around the edge of the circle knowing how important the next few seconds could be. The captain, Lee Marshall, played the ball out to the top of the D where it was passed back to him for the deflection; his shot was saved but fell to a South stick and was flicked goalwards before being turned into the net by right back Andrew Gardner, securing his first goal for the club and salvaging a point.

Thanks to Woodland Financial Planning, the November sponsor of the month.