NAFL overcome SAFA in Britton Rosebowl

NAFL overcome SAFA in Britton Rosebowl

17 May 2023

FOLLOWING a three-year hiatus, the annual Britton Rosebowl representative game between the Northern Amateur Football League and the Scottish Amateur Football Association made its return at the weekend.

This year the honours went to the NAFL, who recorded a 2-1 victory on the day thanks to goals from James Sofley and Drumaness’ Callum Dougan, who was the man of the match.

The global pandemic had previously removed this showpiece fixture and Mill Road – the home of Crumlin United – was the venue for the game this year. 

United’s facilities and the pitch were a credit to them.  Whilst Colin MacLeod has remained in the managerial role for the Scots since their 1-0 loss on home turf at Falkirk, TJ Young was installed as NAFL manager in 2019 and this was his first game in that role. 

Both sides had endured some last minute squad activity with a rash of late withdrawals which are not untypical in this congested part of the season.

The NAFL squad had a radically different feel from that in 2019 with only four players surviving from that side, who were Kevin Trainor, Aidan McNeill, Daryl Evans and Stephen Cockcroft.

Elliot McKim also has previous experience having been a part of previous squads. 

The only survivor from the Falkirk squad was Richie Lawson, although goalkeeper David Tait has many years of previous experience.  

The weather provided the sunniest day of the year so far and both halves were punctuated by water breaks for the safety of the players.

The first half saw both teams working hard on the big Crumlin pitch despite the heat.

The Amateur League’s Cockcroft was prominent initially whilst Lawson looked the Scots’ most potent force. 

Sofley has been scoring regularly for Ards Rangers and he remained calm to break the deadlock to make it 1-0 to the home side. 

With both sides evenly matched, the Amateur League won a penalty and Callum Dougan scored from the spot to make the score 2-0 at half-time. 

The Scots made a change of personnel and shape for the second half and troubled the hosts. As the half progressed, NAFL manager Young chose to use his substitutes and selected a somewhat more defensive formation.  

The visitors scored late in the half after a long kick forward from substitute goalkeeper Sandy Thomson. 

This set the stage for an uncomfortable final few minutes of normal time and time added on with the Scots continuing to press for the equaliser.   

However, time ran out to signal the home team as the winners. TJ Young was delighted to win the trophy in his first outing but was quick to thank those managers and clubs who were kind enough to release their players despite the congested nature of the end of season run in.

NAFL: J Connolly (Dromara Village), M King (Dunmurry YM), A McNeill (Crumlin Star, capt), M Lyons (Crumlin Star), S Adams (Crumlin United), K Trainor (Crumlin Star), S Cockcroft (East Belfast), D Evans (East Belfast), C Dougan (Drumaness Mills), M Cooling (Bangor Amateurs), J Sofley (Ards Rangers).  

Subs: J Darlington (Abbey Villa), R Kelly (Dromara Village), M Johnston (East Belfast), E McKim (Derriaghy), M Lee (Ards Rangers).

SAFA: D Tait (Campsie Minerva), C Cairns (Tollcross Thistle), R McColl (St Patrick’s FP), I Paterson (St Patrick’s FP), G Moffatt (Cupar Hearts), L Rowan (St Patricks FP), R Millar (Bannockburn), K Chisholm (Shortlees), L Hadden (Wishaw High School FP), A Brown (Bannockburn), R Lawson (Cupar Hearts).  

Subs: S Thomson (Wishaw High School FP), J Biggar (Shortlees), S Henderson (Bannockburn), J Buchanan (Dumbarton Academy), S Watt (Tollcross Thistle).

Referee: Gavin Morgan.

Assistants: Phil Bogle, Andrew Butler.

Fourth official: Darren Veighey.