Saintfield up and running with win

Saintfield up and running with win

19 August 2015

IT wasn’t nice and it wasn’t pretty, but Saintfield got the job done to put their first points on the board at the School Field on Saturday.

The Saints failed to build on an early cracker from Craig Bowman and missed a penalty before David Morrow finally put the matter to bed in the dying stages of a competitive encounter.

Graham McConnell’s visitors, who were also looking for their first points of the season, started reasonably well, but they got little shift from United’s back five where Morrow, Dougie Spence and Adam Sofley ruled the roost.   

Saintfield settled slowly, but with six minutes gone they exploded into life with Stuart Black propelling himself down the flank after linking up with Jason Gallagher.

Black could easily have gone it alone, but he unselfishly squared the ball back across the 18 yard box for Bowman to drill past Declan White.

Six minutes later, White ped a Dougie Sheperd cross into the path of Bowman after Black had put him under intense pressure, but the midfielder shot wide.

Newington then enjoyed a while on top and Kenneth Carson saved well from Tommy McCune and Jamie McGrath as the visitors continued to knock on the door.

Saintfield were content to hit Newington on the break and with 26 minutes gone Phil King shot wide after Black had again turned and ran at the Rangers back four.

Morrow had a header well saved in the 34th minute by White following a long throw from Sofley as United regained the initiative.

The running of Johnny Brennan and Black was causing Newington all sorts of problems, but they weren’t been found often enough in the right positions and they had to live off crumbs for most of the first half.

However, with 39 minutes gone Black was bundled over in the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Alas, Bowman’s spot kick crashed against the post and flew away to safety.

Fifteen minutes after the break Oliver Duff, who had the beatings of his marker out on the left flank, crossed perfectly for Bowman, but he was again off target.

Tommy McCune went close for Newington at one end before Brennan missed out at the other end after intelligent approach play from Black. 

Saintfield were now playing well within themselves and had Newington for the taking, but the final ball in the box just wouldn’t come.

The industrious Black, who was everywhere, had a spectacular effort tipped over for a corner and Newington had another lucky escape when they survived a bit of a scramble at the back post.

The visitors did give the odd moment of concern when they retaliated on the break, but Carson was not for being beaten and he saved from Philip McCaw and Cameron Adamson.

The pace of the game remained fast and furious, but that suited a fitter Saintfield side 

and with time almost up a Duff free kick was met on the penalty spot by a flying Morrow, who headed the ball like a bullet into the top corner of the net.

Saintfield United: K Carson, J Gallagher, D Sheperd, D Spence, D Morrow, A Sofley, C Bowman, P King, J Brennan, S Black, J Milligan. Subs: A Weir, L Patton, O Duff.

Newington Rangers: D White, J Brown, K Johnston, J McGrath, C Blayney, C Gilmore, J McFetridge, C Adamson, P McCaw, T McCune, N Milligan. Subs: J Teggart, M Domican, G Henry.

Saintfield United 2

Newington Rangers 0

AMATEUR LEAGUE DIV 1C