Match Report

Match : 2nd XI v Portrush 2nds
Date : 2003-12-06
Venue : A
Score : 3-4
Scorers : Hamilton, Irwin, Menaul

By Stephen Swann

All good things must come to an end, and the 2nd XI's recent run of wins had to end also. Unfortunately, it did not end as a result of meeting a superior team...

A cold Ballymoney at 4 o'clock may not have been conducive to sexy hockey, at so it proved. East Antrim did not get going until almost half-time, by which time they were 2-0 down. A Menaul-Swann-Hamilton combination reduced the deficit.

Although the team never really got going, they were still comfortably in control when it came to attacking play. But defensively, we were slow to react, marking was poor and passing choices were (at times) "dodgy".

The second half was better, although 2 defensive lapses gifted Portrush another 2 goals. Irwin and Menaul grabbed goals themselves but East could and should have scored more. Irwin had chances, there were plenty of penalty corners awarded and Swann had 2 golden chances - the Portrush keeper was in inspired form!

So a return to the early season form sees the attackers scoring the necessary goals, but defensive frailties spoiling the result. Next week's encounter with Annadale must see a more resolute back-line!

Many thanks (once again) to Neal Hermon for travelling with the squad in order to umpire.

D Hutton
P Leitch
A Bell
A Murphy
G Tumilson
B Watters
S Swann
A Blair
S Hamilton
D Menaul
P Irwin

G Tumilson