Southside Youths record ninth straight victory

SOUTHSIDE Youths stretched their unbeaten start to the Belfast & East Antrim Youth League campaign to nine matches with a 6-1 win over 18th Newtownabbey at Monkstown.

It wasn’t long before the customary large crowd of followers had something to cheer about when in only the fourth minute, a deep cross from the right by Leon Bonnes found its way to the incoming Josh McCready and he made no mistake shooting low into the corner of the net.

Corey McDowell increased the lead on 20 minutes when he amazingly out-jumped the much bigger home defenders to head home number two.

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Complacency crept into the Southside play. Passing and movement of the players deteriorated and it was no surprise that 18th Newtownabbey pulled a goal back on 35 minutes when a hopeful long range effort from 30 yards caught Lewis Erwin in the Southside goal off his line and the ball ended up in the net.

This served as a short term wake up call for the Southside team and the two goal deficit was restored only two minutes later when again the impressive Leon Bonnes on the right watched his shot squeeze through the keeper’s legs into the net.

The whistle blew for half time which would see sweeping changes through the Southside line up for the start of the second half as manager Colin Stewart looked to maintain the match fitness of every member of the squad.

Jordan Kirk on the right wing injected welcome energy to a weary looking team. And indeed it was from an enthusiastic run from Jordan that the fourth goal arrived.

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Taking a chance and getting into the home team box Jordan anticipated a through ball from Ryan Corrigan and finished it with perfection on 55 minutes.

Leon Bonnes completed his brace on 60 minutes when again he finished well inside the penalty area.

The home team were reduced to 10 men when Southside’s Jack Livingstone was struck in the face. Jack showed immense composure and self control to walk away and watch the opposition player receive his marching orders.

David Calderwood make it 6-1 on 65 minutes when he shot home following a goal mouth scramble.

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Overall the performance was well below what the team and individuals are capable of.

However, picking up points when not playing well is always the sign of a capable team.

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

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