Southside resume league campaign with convincing win

A lively, determined Barn team had other ideas and shocked a much changed Southside team when they deservedly took the lead on 10 minutes following a slow, untidy start from the Ballymena boys.

Dylan Graham for Southside had to leave the action on 20 minutes with a back injury being replaced by Ryan Corrigan.

The equaliser came on 25 minutes when again Dylan Hamill broke down the right wing and watched his cross deceive the visiting keeper and end up in the back of the Barn net.

On 30 minutes Southside took the lead when persistence from Ryan Stewart on the edge of the Barn penalty area saw him evade two Barn defenders before firing home to make it 2-1.

With the half time whistle approaching it was Ryan Stewart again who extended the lead when he latched onto a superb cross from Corey McDowell to finish first time making it 3-1 at half time.

Despite the visitors still asking questions of the home defence in the second half, Leon Bonnes went on a super solo run which saw him dribble past four Barn players before shooting home making it 4-1 on 55 minutes.

An injury to Sam McNiece saw him have to leave the action on 60 minutes followed shortly after by Dylan Hamill and Leon Bonnes who also picked up knocks.

On 75 minutes the reward came for the hard working David Calderwood when he was again picked out by a pinpoint pass from Corey McDowell. David made no mistake shooting home through a crowded goal mouth making it 5-1.

As the final whistle approached again David Calderwood extended the lead when he converted a Josh McCready cross leaving the final score 6-1 as Southside extended their lead at the top after making it 13 wins from 13 league games.

Manager Colin Stewart now has the injuries to seven players to assess ahead of this week’s game.

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