22ND OB 1 – 1 Carryduff Colts

The game was a doubt right up until kick off due to the bad weather but the referee decided to proceed and it turned out to be the right decision.

Both teams went for it from the start but The Colts looked the better team going forward and could have scored only for the 22ND keeper being in inspired form again.

Nathan Rice making only his second senior appearance looked assured in midfield and continually broke up play and tried to set up Irwin and Brownlee up front but to no avail.

22ND got a free kick after 20 minutes and a wicket shot was superbly saved from McCann who had to make a double save after it spilled to their striker, superb from the big lad.

Joe Sweeney from right back was overlapping down the right with great effect and it was from one of his crosses we got a corner which was cleared only for Brownlee to put away with a super strike into the bottom right hand corner and that’s 2 from 2 games from the wee striker, 1-0 The Colts. That was the half time score and fully deserved by The Colts.

The 2nd half started in much the same fashion with both teams trying to create chances and it was from one of these chances 22nds keeper pulled of a brilliant save from Brownlee set up so well by the hard working Irwin.

It looked like the match would peeter out with The Colts securing a precious 3 points but with nearly the final play of the game 22ND swung a corner in and McCann under so much pressure by several players unfortunately deflected the ball into the net to make it 1-1 and both teams shared the spoils.

McCann was inconsolable after the game but it was certainly not his fault as he has been superb since making his debut, keep the head up big lad !!

Next week we move on to the Junior Shield 4th Round away to Greenwell Star down in Newtownards.

Our seconds drew 4-4 against Agape with sterling performances from debutant Jason Rowan, Stevie Lav and Jack Laverty and were really unlucky not to get all 3 points, well done lads.

McCann, Sweeney, McDonnell, Crompton, Murphy (Dale) Sherry (Henry) McEvoy (Devlin), Rice, Maguire, Irwin, Brownlee