Southside claim ‘derby’ honours in NIBFA Cup tie

Full of determination and desire Southside began sharply against their National League opponents, Leon Bonnes and Stewart Nixon taking control of the crucial central midfield area.

Southside looked like the most likely to break the stalemate as Ryan Corrigan and David Calderwood both went close.

The direct running of Stewart Nixon on 20 minutes led to a throw in on the right. Quick thinking from Sam McNiece as he took the throw in found the alert Leon Bonnes who headed on for Stewart Nixon to drive into the Ballymena penalty area and shoot home from 15 yards giving the visiting goalkeeper no chance.

At the start of the second goal a second goal looked inevitable and it arrived seven minutes after the restart.

Again it was another example of quick thinking from a throw in.

This time the recipient of the ball was Leon Bonnes who turned brilliantly only to see his sweetly struck shot hit the post but the goal machine David Calderwood was on hand to hammer home his 21st goal of the season.

In the dying minutes it could have been three nil as Jack Livingstone watched his headed effort saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

This Saturday Southside travel to Boucher in Belfast as they return to bread and butter league action in the South Belfast Youth League.

Opponents are Aquinas and another tight contest is expect in the title race.

This Wednesday night 27th November is the club’s fundraising concert night in the Braid Centre, Ballymena where the popular country singer Ritchie Remo will be starring on stage.

There are still a limited amount of tickets available at the Braid costing only £10 so anyone looking for a great nights entertainment get along and support the team.

Southside: Erwin, Henry, Livingstone, Logan, McCready, Graham, Bonnes, Nixon, McNiece, Calderwood, Corrigan, McDowell, Kirk, R Stewart, J Stewart, Allen.