New Santos II vs Blackieville
New Santos' second team came up against fellow league strugglers Blackieville in a game in which both teams were looking their first points of the season.
Within the first 5 minutes both sides came close to opening the scoring. Following a goalkeeping error Gareth Downey smashed a shot against the post with the goal gaping. Shortly after Blackieville nearly took the lead with an excellent free kick from 30 yards which crashed off the underside of the bar.
On the half hour mark Santos were awarded a penalty for a handball in the area for which the Blackieville players had no complaints. Mark McCourt stepped up and slotted home the penalty to give Santos the lead. The lead held out until half-time with the Santos defence looking very solid and McCourt and McDonald controlling the game from midfield aided by good hold up play from John Martin and Gareth Downey.
Half-time: New Santos II 1-0 Blackieville
Blackieville started the second half the brighter of the two sides as they pushed for an equaliser. On 60 minutes they got the goal they were after via a well struck effort from 14 yards into the top corner. Buoyed by the goal Blackieville grew in confidence but were kept at bay by the Santos defence.
With Blackieville pushing for an equaliser, Santos hit them on the break with David Harrigan finishing off a through ball with a cool finish under the keepers' legs. With 5 minutes remaining Paul Scullion dinked over the keeper on his debut to secure a hard earned but well deserved first victory of the season.
Full-time: New Santos II 3-1 Blackieville
New Santos Team:
GK: Gary Ashwood
RB: Martin Cunningham
CB: Gareth McKinstrey (Chris Monan)
CB: Richard Scullion
LB: Eamon Caldwell
RM: Manuel Robinson (David Harrigan)
CM: Mark McCourt
CM: Colm McDonald
LM: Chris Jones ©
ST: John Martin (Paul Scullion)
ST: Gareth Downey
Santos Goals : M McCourt (p), D. Harrigan, P. Scullion
MOTM vote results:
R Scullion - 5
E Caldwell, M McCourt - 2
G McKinstrey, M Cunningham, G Downey, D Harrigan - 1
