Fifths share spoils with NICS

South Antrim 5ths 1

With the Easter holidays and all five teams playing away from home the Fifths had to call on old War Horses Steve McKechnie and Darren Patterson to make up the numbers in this Junior 6 league clash.

The Lisburn side enjoyed most of the early possession but NICS closed them down quickly forcing South into needlessly giving away possession.

NICS’s only shooting opportunities came from penalty corners and one of these was converted to give the home side an undeserved lead.

South resulted to a long ball game in an attempt to draw level which backfired when leading goal scorer, Ian McElhenny was struck on the head by a deflected ball crashed into the circle and took no further part in the game.

South still trailed 1-0 at the interval but the second half saw a change in their style returning to their passing game that had brought them so much success in recent matches.

Ben Faulkner and Jonny Hailes led the front line and Adam Glass had his best match of the season at right midfield linking well with the overlapping runs from Matthew McPolin at right back.

As South pressed for the equaliser they were always going to leave themselves open at the back but Ryan Davidson and Ashley Sloan in nets thwarted any danger.

South’s efforts were rewarded with a succession of penalty corners and a switch to Darren Patterson on the right was crashed against the back board from close range to bring the teams level.

Not wanting to settle for share of the spoils South continued to push for a winner with Adam Glass showing off some fancy stick work.

For all their efforts and possession South could not beat Billy Gilmore in the opposing net and had to settle for the draw come the final whistle.