Andrew blasts in four as United blitz Bangor YM

15 January 2020

SAINTFIELD returned to action against Bangor Young Men in the Clarence Cup on Saturday and looked to bounce back after a disappointing loss last week.

The Saints started well and scored the first goal in the 10th minute after a fluid counter-attacking move was finished by Andrew Clarke, who rifled the ball into the roof of the net.

Bangor applied the pressure for the next 10 minutes and were rewarded with an equalising goal. The Bangor attacker played in Kurtis Bell, who slotted the ball into the inside side-netting after Saintfield were dispossessed at the edge of their own box.

Saintfield raised it a few gears and struck three times in the 10 minutes before half-time.

The first came from Andrew Clarke after James Sofley was played down the line. After beating two defenders, James played in Andrew, who passed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner past the ‘keeper.

It took less than five minutes for left back Oliver Duff to score Saintfield’s third. A long ball found Adam Childs on the left wing.

He played it back to the edge of the box for Duff. He took one touch to set himself before striking a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.

The Saints scored one more goal before the break with Andrew Clarke playing the ball across the face of goal for Tony Liken to finish at the back post. Saintfield went into half-time in the driving seat and 4-1 up.

The second half started much like the first ended with Saintfield scoring an early goal.

Ryan Sofley was the supplier of an own goal after bombing into the box and fizzing a cross into the near post which ricocheted off the Bangor defender into the net.

At 5-1 up, the Saints took their foot off the gas and conceded just over five minutes after scoring.

Bangor gained possession from a loose ball in midfield and played it into Matty Hall, who turned well to beat the Saintfield defender before striking the ball low and hard into the bottom corner.

The Saints were again quick to respond with Andrew Clarke getting his hat-trick with half an hour still to go.

Clarke started the move in midfield and finished it expertly after James Sofley’s effort was parried by the ‘keeper.

Saintfield had a penalty and rebound saved less than two minutes later after James Sofley was brought down in the box.

However, the Saints weren’t finished yet and Clarke had one more goal left in them with 20 minutes left to go. Possibly the best goal of the game, as he showed real determination and skill to score his fourth. Another counter-attacking goal from the Saints as they broke fast from a Bangor corner.

Clarke received the ball just inside the Bangor half and stood tall after several attempts to bring him down. He beat three defenders before slotting home a cool finish into the bottom corner.

This goal also signalled the end of the goalkeeper’s game after he strongly disagreed with the referee’s decision to allow the goal to stand. Bangor had one more chance before the end of the game when they were also awarded a penalty, but David Harper kept the Saints’ five-goal lead intact and made it a penalty saved for both teams.

A great performance for Saintfield who progress to the next round of the cup and a fantastic performance from 17 year-old Andrew Clarke who relished his role as an attacking midfielder.

Saintfield United 7

Bangor Young Men 2

CLARENCE CUP 2ND ROUND

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