Superb away win for Portrush

PORTRUSH Seconds travelled to Belfast on Friday night for what was anticipated as being a tough encounter against a PSNI side.

Portrush fielded a young and inexperienced side but the one quality they didn’t lack was enthusiasm and commitment.

And that was evident right from the start when they opened the scoring inside 60 seconds.

The ball was slipped through to Andy Dalzell whose first time shot thundered the back of the board.

This gave Portrush a real fillip, but it was the PSNI who took control and they proceeded to bombard the visitors’ goalmouth. but the defence performed heroics keeping the opposition at bay.

The first half performance was far from pleasing for Portrush with one experienced player saying he had never seen them play so badly but miraculously keep their goal intact.

PSNI had actually started the match with just ten men and when they had their full strength team for the second period, Portrush felt they were in for a thumping.

PSNI enjoyed a number of decisions which led to short corners, however, Portrush again met the pressure with success and. remarkably, got another goal.

Tom Cartmill played a captain’s role when he cleared off the line to keep his side ahead.

Having created some chances earlier, Portrush clinched the points in the final 30 seconds when Chris Leeming embarked on a brilliant run, beating several players before finding the net with a shot from a seemingly impossible angle.

It was a goal that saw wild celebrations from Leeming and the rest of the Portrush team who fully deserved their win.

Their defence was superb and the forwards did what was expected of them.

This was Portrush’s first away win of the season.

Team: T. Kirkpatrick, J. McMullan, T. Cartmill, P. McMullan, C. Manson, B. McMullan, C. Henry, A. Douglas, C. Leeming, A. Dalzell, G. Christie. Subs – J. Hutchinson, C. Hogg.