Saints secure final berth after stunning display

Saints secure final berth after stunning display

13 March 2024

SAINTFIELD seconds welcomed Annadale thirds to the Demesne on Saturday for the semi-final of the Junior Shield. 

Annadale were hailing from Junior 3, the league above Saintfield’s current position, so the Saints knew they were up against it. 

Annadale began the play and swiftly showed the home side the comparative nature of league differences, putting them under immense pressure within minutes. 

Saintfield struggled to keep up with what was a well-drilled, direct side, and suffered many efforts on their D. 

Luckily, stand-in centre back Stuart Hunter kept the Saints in the game with what was a magnificent display of challenges and successful tackling. 

Some chances came Saintfield’s way but the classic Saintfield start was still in play where the team didn’t seem to gel and couldn’t string too many promising efforts together between the onslaught on Annadale. 

The visitor’s high press and intense play proved effective against the Saint’s, going one up in the first quarter. 

The Saints returned to the pitch after a grilling from captains James Magee and Aaron Swail during the break. 

The Saints absorbed the pressure and hit back with some great flanks down the left wing with Craig Harkness pushing up from left back, feeding Matthew Lennon in midfield and James Magee and Luke Curry up front. 

The clinch came from a superb ball from Aaron Swail to Alex Millar in the Annadale D, who opted to slip a pass to the back post for an, as usual, awaiting Calum Carson to slot it home to even the scoreline.

However, even with Saintfield playing better it didn’t compare to the skill and determination of the visitors, who secured themselves the lead again going into half-time.

Annadale, not to be taken lightly, pushed down their right side, working very well as a team to pass the defensive line once again, and with almost an exact emulation of Saintfield’s first goal, they found the back post for a simple shot home to go two goals up at 3-1. 

Saintfield once again came at the visitors, coming from the right side with runs from right back Ryan Swail, pushing forward and getting the ball into the D to the in-form Millar, who was able to win a short corner to keep Saintfield’s hopes alive. 

Right on the third quarter whistle captains James Magee and Aaron Swail stepped up to strike and trap, respectively, something they’d practiced for this very occasion. 

However, a mis-trap from Swail left the Saints with further frustration, the ball landing to Ryan Johnston. 

Johnston kept the quarter in play and passed the ball direct to an eager Stuart Hunter, who struck the ball to, once again, to the back post. 

This time, however, to injector Craig Harkness to swiftly slot it home for the team, injecting some life into the fixture for the home side in addition to the short corner. 

The Saints restarted the play with Swail running down the right flank. He was able to get a pass away to Alex Millar, who easily slotted home the equaliser, unchallenged past the Dale ‘keeper.

With a loose pass from the Annadale centre back, Saintfield captain James Magee rushed the motionless left back and was able to switch possession, letting off a sloppy but accurate pass once again to a reliable Alex Millar. 

He charged the D, drawing the ‘keeper out to meet him and instead of shooting, he opted to recreate Saintfield’s first goal of the game, slipping the ball to the back post, where Calum Carson was always going to be waiting. 

Carson slotted it home for Saintfield to take the lead for the first time of the day with ten minutes to go.

Swiftly after the goal, Curry got himself sent off for time wasting, leaving Saintfield with ten men to battle it out in the final quarter. 

Saintfield, without provocation, all knew the importance of seeing the fixture out until the end. 

A marvellous display of effort and defending allowed the Saints to see the game until the end, even against 11 outfield players as Annadale pulled the ‘keeper in the final minutes.

The final whistle blew and the Saintfield players, bench, and supporters let out a sigh of relief. Annadale had Saintfield on the ropes for the entire game, but the Saints proved themselves once again, securing another cup final in the same season.