UlsterNet.co.uk

East Antrim BB football final

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

5th Carrick v 3rd Ballyclare. SE0406

THE SENIOR East Antrim Battalion 5 a Side Competition took place on Saturday last but with a bit of a difference this year. Having been at Larne Leisure Centre for the last lot of years, The Soccer Shed was used this year.
This new facility, located on the Green Road in Ballyclare, offers two state of the art 3G pitches and was obviously a major draw for the boys as entries were considerably up on recent years.
Eight teams in total took part - 1st Ballyclare, 1st Raloo, 1st Greenisland, 2nd Larne, 5th Carrick, 3rd Carrick, 7th Carrick and 3rd Ballyclare. The first four teams mentioned formed Group 1, while the other four teams constituted Group 2.
Due to the larger pitch and larger goals, games seemed a bit more exciting this year with lots of goals being scored. A few teams suffered heavy defeats but in the main, most matches were very competitive and were won by the odd goal.
In Group 1, 5th Carrick and 7th Carrick dominated. In their head to head, a very even game ended with a 1-1 scoreline. 7th Carrick topped the group on goal difference. 3rd Carrick won the wooden spoon battle, beating 3rd Ballyclare 5-0 in the final group game.
Group 2 was much tighter, with three teams pushing for qualification to the semi finals. 1st Greenisland and 1st Raloo looked favourites after taking 4 points from their first two games. 1st Ballyclare suffered a heavy defeat to 1st Greenisland in their first game but hit back with a strong performance against 2nd Larne, claiming a 2-0 victory. This set up a decider against 1st Raloo, winner making the semi finals. 1st Ballyclare were the hungrier of the two teams and recorded an impressive 2-0 win, limiting a strong Raloo side to speculative long distance efforts. This meant any sort of result in their final game would take 1st Greenisland through as group winners and they duly obliged, putting 7 past a tired 2nd Larne team.
The first semi final was a real nail biter. 7th Carrick were undoubted favourites and took a deserved lead with the last kick of the first half, Jordan Cooper somehow squeezing the ball past Chris Stevenson in the Ballyclare goals. The second half belonged to 1st Ballyclare. James Greer in particular was outstanding up front, with Chris Anderson and Mark Gault dominating at the back. Chris Anderson got the equaliser and a winner really should have followed but it was not to be. Extra time was required and 7th Carrick snatched the victory with a well taken goal.
The other semi was not quite so close, with 1st Greenisland deservedly coming through 4-0 victors. Many would have said 5th were the favourites for this match but in a hotly contested match, 1st Greenisland kept their heads and took their opportunities with some aplomb.
After two dramatic semi finals, the final perhaps did not have the same excitement but it was a great game to watch. Two teams went out to play football and produced a great example of what BB football is all about. 7th Carrick took an early lead and held on to this for the remainder of the match. 1st Greenisland gave their all but just could not find an equaliser. 7th Carrick were victorious.
The new venue seemed to be well received by all companies. It certainly added to an enjoyable competition. The Junior 5 a Side competition will take place next week (23rd January) in Larne Leisure Centre.

Subscribe to read full newspaper »

Send this page to a friend »