Match Report

Match : 2nd XI v Portrush 2nds
Date : 2003-09-20
Venue : H
Score : 3-4
Scorers : Murphy(2), Johnston

By Stephen Swann

There were definitely mixed emotions at the end of this tight encounter. Downbeat at the loss of a deserved point, yet optimistic for the future due to the way the team played.

Young Tumilson was a rock at the back... again! Young Hamilton tormented the Portrush defence. Young Blair showed off with his silky touch. Yougn Baird showed the appropriate grit and determination. And the gel which held the team together - the central spine of Leitch, Murphy and Swann worked a treat.

Chance after chance was created with Hamilton and Johnston at the heart of every move. But Portrush had their talents also. A strong looking Portrush 2nd XI was obviously adept at penalty corner routines as the first was dispatched into the back of the net like a rocket. A second goal for Portrush then appeared out of nowhere.

Our own thunderbolt merchant - Alan Murphy - claimed a goal before half-time to pull the game back to 2-1.

Neil Johnston scored a rocket early in the 2nd half to level the match but Portrush regained their lead with 2 deadly strikes.

Murphy got his second at the end of the match, but not before he had struck the post, Swann missed 2 openings, Johnston teased down the right and Leitch had pushed way up-field.

Attack-wise... the team was terrific.
Defense-wise... we have a bit to learn as we were too naive.

D Hutton
P Leitch
S Campbell
A Bell
G Tumilson
S Hamilton
A Murphy
S Jamison
N Johnston
S Swann (capt.)
E Baird
C Stockman
A Blair

N Johnston