South Antrim Hockey Club celebrate Centenary

ONE hundred years ago a few members of the local community met with the vision of setting up a hockey club for the people of Lisburn and South Antrim Hockey Club has been providing hockey in the town/city ever since.
It all started with the vision of just a handful of people and now the club boasts seven senior teams, both men and women, as well as providing hockey for all age groups. The club has been the vehicle for thousands of people over the years to come together, enjoy their hockey and meet new people.
A big thank you and well done to everyone over the years that have helped the club function and grow into what it is today. Without the work of so many there would have been no cause for this match to take place.

With the Ulster President in attendance plus several former members, South hit off against the Ulster President’s XI on Monday evening at Laurelhill Sportszone. The Ulster team took hold of the game from the off and put South under early pressure having most of the possession in South’s half.

South gradually got more comfortable and starting stringing some passes together and won their first short corner fifteen minutes into the game. From a Ricky O’Neill drag flick a scramble ensued in the D but the Ulster XI soon cleared.

With the game much more even midway through the first half chances were at a premium. Chris Moulden in South’s goal did well to save a precise drag flick from an Ulster short corner. The Ulster XI however, stepped it up a gear and began creating more openings in South’s defence. John Semple and Chris Henry were doing their best to keep possession for South upfront but the pressure was intense and the Ulster XI eventually got their first goal through a hurried clearance in South’s circle fell to an Ulster forward and he confidently put the Ulster team striking the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

Little else of note happened in the first half with both sides fighting it out in midfield for possession and the score remained the same for the rest of the half. The second half in terms of general play was a much more even affair with South finding openings early on through pressure on the ball lead from the back by Lee Marshall. The Ulster XI however, scored another through neat play down the left-hand side leaving an easy tap-in for the Ulster forward at the post. South continued to press though, and got just reward for their efforts after good work by Chris Henry down the right who fed in Chris Redpath to cross the ball to John Semple in the circle. John confidently flicked the ball past the onrushing keeper and knocked the ball into the empty net, pulling one back for South.

South’s high work rate during the game was the most impressive aspect which bodes well for the new season and they were unlucky to concede another two goals in the final ten minutes but they came up against strong and clinical opposition and can be proud of their efforts.

An informal reception was held after with South’s chairman Gordon McCandless and the Ulster Branch President Pat Hall addressing the crowd at Laurelhill.

Many thanks to the Centenary committee for organising the successful event.