Match Report

Match : 1st XI v Portadown
Date : 2002-12-07
Venue : A
Score : 1-3
Scorers : Burgess

By Stephen Swann

We believed Portadown to be the best team in the league prior to this fixture and that getting a result would be tough. Unfortunately, that was the case...

The difference between a team like Portadown at the top of the league and East Antrim at the bottom is not a matter of quality - it's a matter of 'half a second', anticipation and unity.

Portadown reacted to incidents much quicker than the 'Green Machine' and were able to punish us as a result.

The other big difference was that Portadown moved the ball around the pitch at lightning pace by short, accurate pushes while East Antrim attempted to drill the ball through the opposition.

Portadown scored three, missed an open net and had a penalty stroke saved by the inspired "Sieve". East Antrim replied with a wonder-goal by captain Burgess.

Unfortunately, there were few signs that any kind of sustained pressure could be applied on the Portadown goal. All too often, individuals were left isolated - good passes are often followed by a stand-still as we admire and praise ourselves instead of following-up the pass with a bit of support.

At least the effort was there once more... the effort has to be matched with a bit more intelligence!

J Hamill
A Murphy
N Hermon
G Reid
P Fraser
A Burgess
D Caldwell
D Menaul
P Irwin
L Currie
S Swann
B Watters

J Hamill (inspired)