Rare win for 18th Newtownbabbey

18th N'abbey OB 2

Bangor Swifts 1

IF only 18th Newtownabbey Old Boys could play Bangor Swifts every week! Eighteenth’s last win, remember, came away back at the end of October, 13 matches ago – against the very same Bangor Swifts at Cloyne Crescent in the league; Saturday’s success being in the 1c Supplementary Cup. Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice?

It had already felt like an achievement for 18th, merely fielding a full team; a starting eleven which included second team manager Steven Clarke and former assistant manager Gary Porter, with current caretaker boss John McElhome and secretary Stuart Courtney on the bench.

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Gary afterwards admitted: “We did get the bounce of the ball in the second half, and it was the most backs to the wall match I’ve ever played in, especially in the second half. But overall, I thought we were that bit hungrier, even though Bangor had the clear edge on fitness.”

It wasn’t looking good either when Bangor roared into the lead inside the opening minute; the Old Boys remember have been it for double figures already twice this season.

Yet they managed to steady the ship and grabbed a well deserved leveller when Porter marked a rare appearance with a shot that took a deflection on his way over the keeper.

Newtownabbey had a let off when their own keeper Gavin Robb saw yellow and not red for handling the ball outside the box; the referee considering it not to be a clear cut goalscoring opportunity, much to the disapproval of the visitors.

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Indeed, it was Gavin’s twin brother Andrew who popped up to give 18th a shock lead, with his free kick from out on the right, curled over the wall into the top corner of the net.

That second half, however, really was all hands to the pump, but thanks to a couple of fine saves from young Gavin Robb, assisted by a goal line clearance from brother Andrew, 18th managed to cling on, although Swifts had a couple of penalty appeals waived aside; the referee presumably believing that their striker went to ground just a little too easily.

Next Saturday, it’s a trip to Clandeboye Park to meet Bangor Rangers.

18th Newtownabbey OB; G Robb – A Robb, Clarke, Moore, Bennett – Porter (Elliott), Spencer, Sloan, R Greer – McAllister, S Taylor. Subs (unused) McElhome, Courtney.

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