Game of two halves for South Antrim Firsts

The phrase ‘a game of two halves’ could not be anymore fitting to describe the match between South Antrim and Queen’s University last Saturday.

In what was the Lisburn side’s penultimate game at Laurelhill, before their move to Friends’ School next week, 6 goals were shared equally between the two youngest teams in the division.

With young Adam Marshall impressively pulling the strings in midfield, South didn’t have long to wait to get themselves on the scoreboard. Having received the ball wide left; Nathan Gamble coolly waltzed his way past two of the visiting defenders, before deftly touching the ball past the onrushing ‘keeper.

Within a matter of minutes the scoreline was doubled. After intercepting a misplaced pass, South’s Captain - Lee Marshall - struck a sumptuous reverse stick pass to John Semple, who finished off the move with aplomb.

The home side continued to carve out chance after chance in the first half but it wasn’t until that man - Nathan Gamble - popped up in the D, that they could extend their lead yet further. A rasping effort from the talismanic Semple could only be deflected into Nathan’s path by the ‘keeper, and the youngster made no mistakes from close range.

At this stage in the match supporters could have been excused for speculating as to how many goals South would win by, such was their dominance up to this point. Queen’s had other ideas, however.

With their 3rd short corner of the match, the QUB drag flick specialist - Stuart McQueen - switched the ball to one of his compatriots who duly converted with a well rehearsed deflection.

Despite leading 3-1 at HT, the Lisburn side knew this was a precarious situation to be in, having thrown away a 2 goal lead against Newry just the week prior.

Unfortunately, the same outcome was witnessed this week. Queen’s emerged from the interval revitalised and hit the hosts hard to pull another goal back, before Stuart McQueen then ferociously drag flicked an equaliser with 15 minutes to go.

On the balance of play a result was probably a fair result. However, the South Antrim men will reflect on what might have been. They will need to pick themselves up quickly for the visit of Bangor this Saturday, in what is the 1st XI’s final match at Laurelhill. Thanks to South’s Sponsor of the Month, Woodland Financial Planning.