A Happy Halloween for North End
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Ballyclare North End: 11.
14th Newtownabbey: 1.
Linda Welshman Cup Round 1.
14th NEWTOWNABBEY couldn't have had a scarier Halloween weekend than they did, when they came up against a rampaging Ballyclare North End in this Linda Welshman 1st round tie.
In fact, this was the Ballyclare sides' most emphatic victory in their short history, which sees them into the 2nd round of a knock out competition, for their first time.
It didn't take the Enders long to open the scorings, just 5 seconds to be precise, as Rikky Thompson nicked the ball off the centre backs toe, who was caught cold from the kick-off; and he went on to round the visiting keeper!
North End then scored 6 more before half time, with both leading North End strikers, Rikky Thompson and Billy Nelson, getting 3 each. Stuart Agnew also grabbed one on his North End full debut, after being picked out by the impressive Nelson, to make the scores 7-0 by half time.
Such is North Ends strength of squad these days, they recorded this victory without the efforts of Jonny Reilly and Rikky Lawrie who were both absent, with the latter due to a serious big toe injury.
Indeed, North End afforded to leave Karl Woods and current Player of The Year Aaron Gilmore on the bench for the start of this game. However, they were each brought into the action in the 2nd half, with the injured Billy Nelson and Craig Montgomery making way.
Montgomery continues to play a vital role in the North End monster machine, as manager Alan McCullough uses the kids' gloves to keep him fresh for future battles!
David Cross & Kenny Reith then got amongst the goals in the 2nd half, as Rikky Thompson scored another brace, which takes him to 13 in 9 games!
Neil McMahon also tasted his first action this season after suffering a severe injury during preseason, as he replaced the hard working Andy Moore on the right of midfield.
Much credit must go to 14th Newtownabbey who tried throughout this game to play football and will gain many friends with their excellent attitude. Their efforts were finally rewarded late on, with their striker scoring arguably the best goal of the day, with a long range effort from the corner of the box.
After the final whistle blew and the celebrations have died down, North End will no doubt be looking for a run of league games to make up their 3 games in hand and hopefully upset the top sides. In this type of sensational form, who would bet against them?!
North End Team: A. Woodside, K. Reith (Capt.), W. Black, B. Kehoe, D.Cross, N.Tweed, C. Montgomery (A. Gilmore), J. Reoilly, A. Moore (N. McMahon), R. Thompson, B. Nelson (K.Woods).
Match day sponsor: Rossis World Of Food.
