Match Reports
22nd Old Boys FC
2022/23
NAFL 2C
NAFL 2C



2021/22
NAFL 2C
NAFL 2C
Saturday 19th February 2022
Nafl Div 2C
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 4-1 Taughmonagh
So after dominating our last four games and only getting 1 point for our efforts we were determined to correct that today. The pitch in good condition considering the terrible weather played quite well and we were on the front foot from the start passing the ball well and dominating the early possession. We missed a series of early chances and it looked like it might be another one of those days as Taughmonagh always looked dangerous on the break. We eventually broke the deadlock when Tyler McKee rose highest from a corner at the back post to head home, 1-0.
We continued to press to get a second goal but or final ball was either poor or we couldn’t convert the opportunity. Taughmonagh then started to come into the game, shifting a few players about to try and get to grips with our midfield with a spell of procession and pressure. But we defended well and Cheung was relatively untested throughout the half.
Second half we started very poorly and Taughmonagh capitalised by equalising after some very sloppy defending, 1-1.
We then started to gain control of the game and retook the lead when Clarke finished well by placing the ball beyond the keeper into the far corner, 2-1.
Again we played some nice stuff controlled the play but just couldn’t get the goals we deserved. We won a free kick on the left and took it quickly. The ball was whipped across behind the Taughmonagh defence and Corin arrived at the back post to hammer the ball home to put us 3-1 up. Taughmonagh then rallied a bit and won a penalty from a scramble from a corner. Carter stepped up to hit it but Cheung diving to his left made a good save to keep our 2 goal advantage.
We then had a bit of a let off when again after another bit of a scramble one of our defenders blasted the ball of his own post and it was hacked to safety. We steadied and took back control of the game in midfield. Stein breaking into the box was caught high with an arm and went down. The referee pointed to the spot and Alex who had been excellent stepped up to convert the penalty to seal a good win 4-1.
Team
W.Cheung W.Simpson C.Henry T.McKee J.Adams S.Vance J.Burrows A.Patterson R.White C.Mills C.Bacon
Subs
T.Orr E.Robinson R.Harrison
Saturday 12th February
Nafl Div 2C
The Meadows
Groomsport 2-1 22nd Old Boys
Soaking wet day we travelled to Groomsport for our fourth away game in a row. We played the first half into a strong wind and started well keeping the ball on the ground and passing well. Groomsport had a few early half chances through mistakes of our own making and Cheung having grease on his gloves. We also had a few shots from distance ourselves but failed to trouble the Groomsport keeper.
The defining moment of the game came with a very poor refereeing decision something we have seen all too often this year. Beattie retreating towards his own goal took things a bit easy and the striker nipped by him. The striker took a very heavy touch on the ball and it ran out of play, Beattie put his hand on his shoulder and the striker went to ground. Referee straight out with the red card ! unbelievable as we had Ethan as a covering defender and the fact the ball was out of play when contact occurred. What promised to be a good game was ruined by a terrible decision. We got it together and defended well into the strong wind and even looked dangerous on the break, infact another poor decision saw us denied a penalty when the Groomsport centre back got tangled up with Millsy and brought him down in the box but appeals were waved away.
Right on the half Ethan stepping in for Corin was very unfortunate when challenging for the ball he only managed to flick it into his own net, 1-0 Groomsport and it stayed that way to the break.
We went out the second half determined not to be also rans in this game and played some nice football. The referee then spotted Stein had an earing in the inside of his ear and sent him to the side line to remove it (we were all warned before game) it took him nearly 10 minutes to remove it as we played with 9 men Groomsport got a second thanks to Jordy who unfortunately deflected into his own net, 2-0. Stein eventually got back on the pitch and we tweaked our shape and went after the game. We completely dominsted the rest of the half pegging Groomsport back and creating lots of chances but failing to convert anything. Ethan then redeemed his earlier own goal by flicking home a set play to make it 2-1. We pressed to the final whistle but simply couldn’t get that second goal which we thoroughly deserved. Another week another set of points dropped after dominating a football game, very frustrating. Poor decisions and finishing has cost us, a constant theme of our season.
Team
W.Cheung J.Adams L.Beattie E.Robinson W.Simpson S.Vance J.McKimm R.White M.Irvine A.Patterson D.Mills
Subs
D.Bell B.Butler B.Jordan
Saturday 5th February 2022
Nafl Div 2C
Jordanstown University
UUJ 2-2 22nd Old Boys
We travelled for the third game in a row to Jordanstown to play UUJ on a super pitch in terrible conditions. Both teams started the game well and tried to pass the ball but it became clear very early it would be a battle in the conditions. UUJ missed an early chance when they got in down the right. We had a couple of shots well blocked by some very good defending. We went 1-0 when the wind caught an effort Cheung looked to be tipping over and all he could do was try and readjust and help the ball into the net ,1-0 UUJ. Within minutes we were 2 down when we conceded a dubious free kick on the edge of the box. Their winger curled it round the wall and into the far corner, a lovely freekick. We continued to play our football and moved the ball well but every time we looked to get in UUJ got that last block in. Half time came and again we found ourselves 2-0 down.
Second half we survived an early scare when the UUJ winger couldn’t control or he would have been clear. At the other end we pressed their keeper and back four into a mistake and the ball fell to young D.Mills who chipped the keeper from 25 yards to put us back in it at 2-1. Kirker consulted Debo on his next change and Debo said Willie on for Millsy, “he will do a rolly polly in box and win a penalty”. Enter Willie and the ball was moved across from the left to Willie who cut inside his man and the covering defender bundled him over in the box, penalty ! Up stepped Pato, 2-2, does Debo have mystic powers ? We pressed on a a couple of good driving runs from Tyler helped us into dangerous positions. From one such drive he was brought down and Patos freekick was well saved by the keeper. From the corner Blain could of scored twice and Ethan as well in the resulting scramble. But both couldn’t squeeze the ball home. Blain then skinned his full back but his cross come shot dropped narrowly wide of the far post. That was enough according to the ref as he had a gig to go to, 2-2.
Team
W.Cheung J.Adams C.Henry M.McAllister G.Gillespie S.Vance R.White D.Mills T.Orr F.Breen A.Patterson
Subs
W.Simpson E.Robinson B.Jordan
Saturday 29th January 2022
Nafl Div 2C
Newforge Lane
Taughmonagh 3-2 22nd Old Boys
Looking to avenge last weeks poor result we started well by forcing a corner, only for Taughmonagh to launch the ball down the pitch. Their striker raced onto it and from 30 yards scored a cracking volley to put us 1-0 down. We rallied well and played some nice stuff with us getting joy in-behind their left back. Millsy was put through after some neat football through the midfield only to hit the angle with his effort. Minutes later he was in again and this time he blasted high over the bar. We got in again this time Clarke down the right cut it across the box towards Willie who had only to slide the ball home, unfortunately he somehow missed. It was all 22nd with us completely dominating the midfield battle and again we got Millsy in, surely this time he would score ? No he blasted this one well wide of the far post. Although frustrating we were the better team and creating some nice passages of play but just without the end product. Then wouldn’t you know it disaster struck. We were playing out and Beattie got caught on the ball, it was lifted to the back post were Carter from Taughmonagh stooped to head home, 2-0. We struggled a bit but just before the break Clarke again in down the right cut the ball back for Willie who missed an identical opportunity from the first chance. Although the defender was putting him under enormous pressure, 2-0 at half time and we couldn’t believe it.
Second half we came out and continued to play our football and we dominated the play and especially in the midfield areas. We got back in the game when Clarke raced clear down the right and fired home across the keeper to make it 2-1. Denver, Jordan and Pato all saw shots over the bar. Graeme off the bench cut inside the full back and saw his shot well saved by the Taughmonagh keeper. Tyler who was only on the field a few minutes for Denver raced into the box and was brought down, penalty. Up stepped Pato 2-2 and we really looked like we were going on to win it as Taughmonagh were rocking. But as you would have it in the 87th minute Taughmonagh broke down the right, the ball was cut back and it fell for Carter to win Taughmonagh the game 3-2. Very hard to take considering we dominated most of the game.
Team
W.Cheung J.Adams C.Henry L.Beattie G.Gillespie D.Brown J.McKimm C.Mills W.Simpson A.Patterson C.Bacon
Subs
T.Orr G.Irvine D.Hunter
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Saturday 22nd January 2022
Nafl Div 2C
Westland Gardens
St Patricks 3-2 22nd Old Boys
We went into this game again with players missing the storey of the season. We started poorly and found ourselves 1-0 down from a poor refereeing decision as their striker was well offside as he broke through. We then kicked into life and a nice through ball saw Whitey through on goal unfortunately his touch took him away from goal and the keeper was able to narrow the angle to make a decent stop. We pressed again and this time a good move down the left saw the ball squared to Jordan who again saw his touch let him down with the goal at his mercy and the chance was lost. We then conceded a second when St Pats scored from a corner after we had initially cleared the danger, 2-0 down. Stein broke through the middle and raced away towards goal the St Pats striker bundled him over in the box, penalty. Alex stepped up and slotted it home, 2-1 and back in it. St Pats always looked dangerous up top with their lively strikers but we managed them well. Unfortunately we gifted them a third when passing out from the back Beattie left a pass short the result was the ball being chipped across our goal and the St Pats striker finishing well to make it 3-1. We kept working and applying pressure and their keeper tipped a corner onto the bar from Alex which looked to be flying in. HT 3-1 down a bit of work to do.
We came out and put on a lot of pressure with most of the game played in their half. St Pats started to try and manage the game by slowing it down and frustrating us at every opportunity. We had a couple of efforts fly over or wide and credit to St Pats they defended very well. Denver missing for months was brought of the bench and was only on when he headed home from a corner, 3-2 with 20 minutes to go the game was really on. We pressed hard and St Pats stalled best they could but still had that danger on the break. Adam Dougan was brought of the bench and late on he was slipped through on goal. Just inside the box he was pulled back but he scuffed his shot easily at the keeper and the referee waved away penalty appeals. Stein was then played through on goal the referee blew him off side but he was wrong and to his credit apologised but unfortunately that wouldn’t get us a goal. Game ended in defeat a poor result for us.
Team
W,Cheung J.McKimm C.Henry L.Beattie W.Simpson S.Vance B.Butler D.Mills A.Patterson T.Orr R.Harrison
Subs
D.Brown A.Dougan
Saturday 15th January 2022
Nafl Div 2C
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 1-1 4th Newtownabbey
After last weeks big win we hoped to take that form into todays fixture in a normally very tight affair with the 4th. We started the game strongly and a lovely through ball from Reece saw Graeme through on goal with the ball bouncing kindly he simply lifted it over the 4th keeper and into the net, 1-0 and a very well taken goal.
4th came straight back at us from a set play we hacked one of the line before their big striker headed a decent chance wide.
We rallied and another through ball had Graeme away again only this time he was fouled on the edge of the box when through on goal. We all awaited the straight red for the defender but the ref didn’t even book him ! terrible decision but that’s football and you have to get on with it. We wasted the freekick but continued to probe at the 4th back line but without any joy. The game went end to end with both teams playing some nice football at times and the 4th drew a good save from Cheung just before the break. There was still time for Cheung to launch one down the pitch the ball deceived the 4th defence and the keeper made a good save to deny Graeme.
Graeme then attempted the worse overhead kick in history and put the ball wide. 1-1 at half time and probably a fair reflection of the game.
Second half was the same battle but the 4th broke superbly and a great ball released their striker who ran through and made no mistake into the far corner, 1-1.
Beattie and Corin looked back to their best and defended superbly at times to keep the 4th at bay. The pitch was getting heavy and legs were starting to tire and opportunities would come for both sides. Cheung made another good stop and it fell kindly for the 4th striker who smashed the ball goal bound only for Beattie's face to come to the rescue (maybe make him better looking). We broke from there and Reece sent away down the right cut in and saw his effort cannon of the post, unbelievable Jeff !
The game was being played at a frantic pace, both teams made changes to freshen up tired legs hoping to nick a winner. A great cross field pass was take superbly by Jordan he raced through from right back, cut inside past the last defender, sat the keeper down……. At tap in surely ? Nooooo he Tyler Orr'd it and completely miss kicked it.
Both teams pushed to the death but nothing else was forth coming and a smashing game of football ended in a draw that was probably a fair result.
Team
W.Cheung L.Beattie C.Henry J.McKimm G.Gillespie S.Vance J.Quinn A.Patterson T.Orr R.White G.Irvine
Subs
W.Simpson D.Mills B.Butler
Saturday 8th January 2022
Nafl Div 2C
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 7-1 Rooftop
A New Year and similar problems as the past year. Players unavailable throughout the club for various reasons and the dreaded Covid striking. We still fielded a fairly strong team and looked to shake off the Christmas turkey and begin the year strongly. We were understandably rusty and a few stray passes were very evident. We were very fortunate not to go a goal down early on when Cheung miss judged the flight of the ball and it trickled onto the post before being cleared. We eventually broke the dead lock with a nice simple flowing move and Clarke squared for Reece to tap home at the back post, 1-0 and nerves settled.
We got a second when Beattie headed home a corner, 2-0. We then were quite wasteful and missed a number of chances. Tyler was unfortunate with two great efforts from distance, one hitting the bar and another clipping the angle when it looked destined for the top corner. Clarke through on goal made no mistake and finished well at the near post, 3-0.
Minutes later the Rooftop keeper made a great save to keep Clarke out as he broke trough again. Clarke got his second with a glancing header at the front post which found its way in of the Roodtop defender on the line, 4-0. We could have gotten another couple but for a combination of poor finishing and last ditch defending by Rooftop. Which meant we went into the break 4-0 up.
We needed an early goal to knock the stuffing out of Rooftop and kill the game as a contest. We got this when again Clarke scoring a header at the front post from a Alex Patterson corner, 5-0.
Instead of kicking on we huffed and puffed a bit, creating opportunities but missing them. Alex, Tyler, Clarke, Jason, Stein and Reece all missed good chances to extend our lead. We then scored two goals in two minutes. The first a net finish by Stein into the far corner, 6-0 and the second a cross from Clarke was smashed home by Tyler to put us 7-0 up.
Rooftop then got a consolation when big Jamesy buried a header from a good corner, 7-1 and to be fair to Rooftop they deserved it for their never say die attitude. Big Craig off the bench was very unfortunate when only on the pitch he saw a shot well saved by the keeper and minutes later a header from Craig was also saved by the keeper. By the time the referee blew the whistle for full time everyone was glad as legs were tiring after four weeks without football.
W.Cheung W,Simpson J.McKimm L.Beattie G.Gillespie S.Vance J.Quinn A.Patterson R.White T.Orr C.Bacon
Subs
A.Collins C.Moore
Saturday 11th December 2021
Nafl Div 2C
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 1-3 St Marys
We knew this would be a tough game going into it and had set up accordingly. Opening exchanges were as expected St Marys with lots of procession and us working hard to close them down. Cheung made a decent early stop to keep us level and we did look dangerous on the break with Clarkes pace always a threat going forward. One of our attacks saw the ball fall to Jordan who thumped a drive towards the far corner, the St Marys keeper made a great stop touching it unto the post but the rebound hit him on the head and into the net, 1-0 22nd.
A lovely long diagonal set the St Marys winger in-behind Sammy he cut the ball across and it looked a certain goal but Cheung made a super point blank save pushing the ball onto the post then out for a corner.
We struggled at set plays with their height but managed to keep them out by a combination of good fortune and Steins unmentionables on the goal line. We certainly ride our luck a at times but the work rate was superb and we battled all over the pitch to keep them out. They were starting to get frustrated at not being able to break us down as no-one likes to come to Clarendon
Second half we knew it would be much the same and we hoped to frustrate them. We started off under pressure but we managed to weather the first 10 minutes and it looked like we might be able to keep them out. Unfortunately our hero from first half turned villain when Cheung let a routine save through his hands and they managed to scramble the ball home to equalise. You could see their relief return and this was probably the turning point. But saying that we were still in it. Midfield 5 worked their socks off and St Marys won a penalty when it looked to us like their striker went down far to easy in the box leading to a very unhappy 22nd. The St Marys captain scored the penalty but was made to retake it for their players encroaching into the box and he dispatched it a second time, 2-1. We took off our wide players and replaced them with more attacking ones to try and get back in the game. St Marys won another penalty and this time there was no protests as it was a penalty. Big captain scored that to seal the points for St Marys but they knew they were in a battle.
Team
W.Cheung G.Gillespie A.McCrea S.Megarry C.Beattie S.Vance J.McKimm R.White W.Simpson A.Patterson C.Bacon
Subs
T.Orr M.Davis G.Irvine
Saturday 4th December 2021
Nafl Div 2C
Grove
Rooftop 2-4 22nd Old Boys
We travelled to Grove with an under strength team to take on bottom team Rooftop. From the outset we were wasteful in procession while Rooftop battled for every ball. They broke away early on and some poor defending and dogged attacking saw the Shore rd men take the lead, 1-0. We continued to be wasteful in procession and even more so in-front of goal. An early goal would have settled us but unfortunately it went to Rooftop and we had a battle on our hands.
Reece through on goal shot straight at the keeper, we have shots high, wide and headers missed from close range. Frustration started to boil within our own team as the half wore on and Rooftop held out. A few old heads in the Rooftop team started to slow the game down and make it scrappy which didn’t suit us and played to their strengths. Rooftop seen the half out with their lead intact.
Half time and Kirker went nuts at what was a truly awful 22nd performance. We all agreed to try and control our frustration and channel it in the right way. Getting the ball wide and working in behind the full backs was key and we started off the second half doing just that. Young Dylan got in-behind their left back cut the ball back and Tyler turned to finish, 1-1. Surely that would be it and we would push on and win the game ? No, we conceded very poorly with our Centre back jumping to early for the ball and a header was clipped by Cheung, 2-1 down !
It could have been worse when Adam got caught in procession but Cheung came to his rescue with a fine stop. Alex then bailed us out with a great finish from 20 yards into the top corner, 2-2.
R.White indicated he wanted to come off saying he was hurt, later we learnt he apparently was overheard saying he was feeling emotional. Give me strength I have heard it all now all he had to do was ask and he could have received a J.Klopp style hug.
Minutes later big Stevie in down the right cut in and clipped a lovely finish into the far corner to put us 3-2 up. We got in down the right again and a dangerous cross was headed into his own net by the Rooftop defender, 4-2. Game over you would think but there was drama to come. First Rooftop had a man sent off for a second yellow and we had Stevie sent off for the same thing. The ref having enough brought the game to a close and I for one was impressed with the battle showed by Rooftop as they have had a very tough season and I look forward to the return fixture in the New Year.
Team
W.Cheung M.McAllister A,Crossett J.McKimm S,Megarry S.Vance J.Quinn A.Patterson T.Orr D.Mills R.White
Subs
W.Simpson C.Moore S.Wilson
Saturday 20th November 2021
IFA Junior Cup 3rd round
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 0-2 Drumquin United
We hosted Drumquin in the third round of the Junior cup and having beaten a team from a division above in their league we were very confident going into the game. Unfortunately we had the bulk of the team missing for one reason or another. We started positively but an early mistake saw Drumquin striker through but Cheung made a good save. We struggled to find any real rhythm and we were not creating much going forward. Any shots we had were very tame and failed to work the keeper. Our new defensive partnership looked a lot more solid at the back winning a lot of first time balls. But a lapse in midfield saw Drumquin with another opportunity which was well saved by Cheung. For the rest of the half both teams huffed and puffed without really creating anything with both defences well on top.
We started the second half brightly and should have taken the lead when a nice move down the right looked like it only required Tyler to slot home but he was to slow on the up take and his effort was blocked. Cheung then made a really good save to keep us level. Unfortunately we didn’t stay level for long and a poor defensive header saw Drumquin take the lead. A series of blocks and scrambles saw the ball fall to the Drumquin striker who tapped into the empty net, 1-0. We pressed to get back into things but with Stein a bit over excited in the tackle saw him receive his second yellow and us down to 10. This seemed to galvanise us and we went to 3 3 3 in order to try and get a goal. Michael off the bench saw the keeper make a good save to deny him an equaliser. Unfortunately we gave away a soft free kick and the Drumquin striker banged it into the far corner to make it 2-0. Cheung brought down their striker for a penalty but he chipped his effort over the bar. A very disappointing end to our Junior Cup journey.
Team
W.Cheung C.Mills T.McKee M.McAllister W.Simpson S.Vance B.Butler J.McKimm T.Orr G.Irvine L.Boobyer
Subs
M.Irvine J.McAuley A.Crossett
Saturday 30th October 2021
Nafl Div 2C
3 Mile-Water
4th Newtownabbey 5-3 22nd Old Boys
So after last weeks performance surely we could improve. We started brightly on a small pitch and looked dangerous going forward. We took an early lead when Graeme got away down the right showed good strength to cut the ball back for Reece to bundle home, 1-0. Unfortunately this did last long and a poor defensive header lead to 4th equalising. We kept plugging away and played some nice football. The 4th should have had a man sent off when their striker scissored our centre back no card then minutes later put in a horrible tackle on Stein and got a yellow. 4th then took the lead when again a poor header allowed them to take full advantage and make it 2-1. We kept pressing forward and always looked dangerous with the 4th keeper making a good double save when we were trough on goal to keep their lead intact. Alex spotting Smooch in acres of space drove in a low cross from the corner and smooch finished beautifully with a lovely deft flick to equalise, 2-2. Both teams kept at it through out the rest of the half and it was quite and even contest. 2-2 at the break.
Second half we decided to do everything we were told not to do and must of given away 8 or 9 fouls in the first 10 minutes and as a result we couldn’t get up the pitch. From one of those fouls Cheung couldn’t hold the free kick and the striker was at hand to clip in the rebound to make it 3-2 for the 4th. Alex went very close with a free kick before the 4th keeper made a good stop only for it to fall to Alex who slotted home to equalise, 3-3. We started to get on-top a bit and Graeme through was hauled back by the defender but to our amazement the ref just showed him a yellow as he was last man. He thought the keeper was getting there before Graeme but I think we will agree to disagree as in my book it was a red. You guessed it 4th went down the other end and another terrible defensive error saw the 4th take the lead. With time running out we pressed hard and committed bodies forward in search of a late equaliser which were would have been well worth. But we got caught on the counter attack and the 4th scored a 5th right on the final whistle to seal the win 5-3.
Team
W.Cheung C.Henry D.Bell A.McCrea S.Vance J.Quinn R.White C.Mills A.Patterson T.Orr G.Irvine
Subs
W,Simpson D.Brown B.Butler
Saturday 23rd October 2021
Nafl Div 2C
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 3-8 Newhill
We went into todays game on the back of two good wins and getting players back we were in confident mood. We didn’t start great and a well worked Newhill corner was headed home to put us 1-0 down. Within minutes we were level when Jordan headed home to equalise from a corner. We then took the game to Newhill and Tyler getting free finished past the Newhill keeper to make it 2-1 22nd. Cheung made a good save to keep us in-front but there were warning signs that were where not dealing with their attacks well enough. It proved correct when they worked far to easily through our defence to make it 2-2. We continued to battle hard and got our reward when Clarke smashed one from thirty yards which curled beautifully into the far top corner to put us 3-2 up. Unfortunately a defensive error of which were becoming all to frequent saw Newhill draw level again at 3-3. Both teams pressed to try and regain gain the advantage but it stayed like this to the break.
Second half started and straight away Newhill scored from a set play when we just didn’t bother marking 4-3 down. Newhill then took control of the game by completely dominating our defence and midfield. What followed was one of the poorest 22nd defensive efforts collectively I have witnessed for years. Newhill just bullied us and along with some good movement put us to the sword and deservedly so. They quickly made it 5-3 and ran in a 6th. Their 7th goal was a lovely chip over Cheung from a tight angle. They scored the 8th late on when were were a beaten team. A lot of work to do on the training pitch for the coming weeks. One of the few bright spots was young D.Mills coming on and showing some good link up play.
Team
W,Cheung G.Carson L.Beattie C.Henry D.Brown J.McKimm W.Simpson C.Mills A.Patterson T.Orr C.Bacon
Subs
S.Vance D.Mills R.White
Saturday 25th September 2021
Nafl Div 2C
Valley V36
St Mary’s 4-0 22nd Old Boys
Again more players missing but the show must go on. St Marys came out of the blocks fast and pressed us back into a back 5 which wasn’t working for us. Meant we couldn’t get out and retain procession and for 15 minutes they gave us the complete run around. We then started to settle and got a foothold in the game, retained procession played some nice football and created a few chances. Pato had a shot well saved, Reece was unlucky with an effort and Jason nearly scored a screamer. We had gotten our full backs high and it was changing the game but to be fair to St Marys they were still very dangerous. We then had 5 minutes of mayhem that cost us the game. A mistake saw Smooch robed and a tap in, 1-0. A corner not cleared then a complete shambles at the back, 2-0. Then to compound things their striker cut in from the right and near broke the far top corner, what a hit 3-0. Kirker wanted the HT whistle as the heads were down and we needed to regroup. We saw it through to then but 3-0 was a big ask against a very good side.
We changed our shape to try and combat St Marys wide players. We started in how we had finished, Corin wrong side of striker, foul, penalty, top corner and 4-0. We then had 3 more injuries one after the other having to make changes and we are really down to the bare bones. We started to get a bit ratty and get on each others backs rather than helping ourselves. But to their credit they never gave in and we kept trying to the end. A few of our boys were lucky to stay on the pitch after some stupid fouls and reactions, only for some common sense refereeing it could have been a lot worse. Thankfully St Marys didn’t punish us any more but that’s 2 weeks in a row we have been exposed and we have to get our standards up, fitness up and bounce back next week.
Team
W.Cheung C.Henry D.Bell J.McKimm G.Gillespie C.Mills S.Vance J.Quinn A.Patterson T.Orr R.White
Subs
W.Simpson G.Carson G.Irvine
Saturday 18th September 2021
Nafl Div 2C
Loughmoss
Carryduff Colts 3-0 22nd Old Boys
Another depleted squad travelled to play Carryduff but we were top of the league so were confident we had a team capable of winning. We started off poorly and big Jordan was sent to shops before the wee striker banged in a superb finish to put us 1 down after a few minutes. We were a bit all over the place and lost Boobs shortly after with a groin injury and another to our long list of injuries. Carryduff were giving us the run around and a good save from Cheung kept us in it. Unfortunately he could do nothing about the next one as the midfielder played a nice one two before smashing it into the roof of the net. Poor misfiled play allowed that goal and we were miles of the pace. We just kept trying long wonder passes instead of our usual ball on the ground football and he big Carryduff centre backs just ate them up. Rest of the half was pretty uneventful with neither team creating any real chances of note. 2-0 Carryduff at the break.
We started the second half a bit more brightly and tried to pass the ball a bit more. A poor back pass from Millsy put in the Carryduff striker but Cheung made a good save to spare Millsy’s blushes. Unfortunately both our wing backs recovering from covid were struggling with their breathing and we were forced into changes. We did think we had got a goal back when Tylers shot looked over the line but to be fair on the ref it would have been very difficult to have seen. We pressed more and moved the ball better and some nice football got Tyler in but he shot wide from a narrow angle. We were always fragile on a counter attack and it proved the case when Jordan daydreaming got caught on the ball and the striker punished us to make it 3-0 and kill the game. Right at the end Gary pulled down the Carryduff striker for a penalty, although he was a mile offside Cheung saved the penalty to keep it at 3-0. That was that and we got what we deserved from the game, nothing.
Team
W.Cheung L.Beattie J.McKimm A.Crossatt W.Simpson C.Mills S.Vance J.Quinn L.Boobs C.Bacon T.Orr
Subs
G.Irvine G.Gillespie J.Hegan
Saturday 11th September 2021
Saturday 28th September 2021
Nafl Div 2C
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 3-0 Whitehead Eagles
Our team completely decimated with injuries took on Whitehead who had a good win the previous week over 4th Newtownabbey. We started fast as we usually do putting the Whitehead back 4 under a lot of early pressure.
Some nice football started by Nevin got our quick players in down the right time after time. Early doors Millsy cut the ball back to Clarke who blazed over and similarly after some nice inter change Tyler shot tamely at the keeper. Whitehead looked to get the ball switched to their right winger who looked dangerous but Beattie had that in-hand and our midfield was just to slick on the ball. The only criticism was that the defence over played it at the back at times allowing the opposition to get set. We got in down the right again and again the ball was pulled back and William running onto it looked a cert to score but what ever happened he ended up near overhead kicking it into the net ! unbelievable but that’s our James Milner, 1-0 22nd.
We kept trying to work openings with Alex conducting things from midfield backed by Reece's pace and work rate we controlled the half creating a few half chances. Clarke wriggled free and maybe took one touch too many saw the keeper close him down to make a good block (think the keeper gets the credit he was very quick out to block). But with 1 goal in it, it only took a silly mistake or a lapse of concentration to allow our lead to slip. We got to the break 1 up and the better side by a distance.
We started the second half as we ended the first aggressively and dominating the play. Again we worked the right hand side and that’s were we eventually got the second goal from. The ball worked down the right cut back and at an awkward height Clarke adjusted himself superbly and blasted the ball over the keeper into the far corner 2-0. Then with the players we had missing we knew we would start to tire and struggle.
Reece feeling his tights start to ladder came of as a precaution for boobs. Pato dropped a bit deeper and boobs was on the end of a bit off a horror tackle. Should have been red but the ref produced a yellow. Credit to Whitehead they apologised after and assured us that the guy in question wasn’t that type of player.
Then Nevin who had been very good had to leave because he was getting blisters and we dropped James Milner to right Centre back. We also brought of Tyler as we was another nursing a hamstring and we needed to be cautious. These changes allowed Whitehead into the game for the first time and they put us under a bit of pressure. We were able to stand up to it and Sammy getting in down the left put in a lovely cross for Graeme just on for Tyler to head home to kill the game. We could and should have won more comfortably but with the players missing and injuries we were carrying it was a relief to grab the 3 points without any more people getting hurt. A lot of credit goes to the lads who stepped in and played superbly, the likes of young Brandon who is only 17 certainly didn’t look pout of place in Central midfield against some big lads. Onto the next one and a tough North Belfast derby v St Pats at Clarendon.
Team
W.Cheung N.Martin D.Bell L.Beattie C.Mills W.Simpson B.Butler R.White A.Patterson C.Bacon T.Orr
Subs
L.Boobyer G.Irvine S.Megarry
Tuesday 17th August 2021
Nafl Div 2C
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 6-3 Realta
After 18 months we were back in league action in a much anticipated opening encounter with our old rivals Realta. With 7 members of the squad missing we took to the field with a strong side, a sign of the strength in depth of our squad we have been building.
As expected we started the game strongly pressing and harrying Realta all over the pitch. To their credit they worked had and put us under pressure in midfield but we broke fast and Clarke racing free was brought down in the box. The referee thought the Realta player got the ball and awarded a corner, Think they got away with one there. We worked an opportunity down the right and Tyler finished beyond the diving right hand of the Realta keeper to make it 1-0. Realta responded with a couple of dangerous set plays but our football especially down the right hand side was superb.
Though our second goal came from a long throw from Willie on the left, there were two people claiming the goal, Beattie and Corin. The dubious goal panel met in the dugout and it was decided Corin got it as we saw him flashing his shin. We started to purr a bit with the football easy on the eye and flowing we caused Realta all sorts of problems with our movement and pace.
The third was a bit special. We started with a goal kick moved the ball wide to the right, into midfield, back wide, down the wing, Clarke in behind, cut back and Tyler finished Again beyond the diving keepers right hand into the far corner, 3-0. Tyler then laddered his tights feeling his hamstring tighten at least that might excuse the shot he ballooned into Abbeydale (terrible finish). It looked like we could run away with things and another great move down the right saw Tyler teed up beautifully, with the net at his mercy and a hat trick beckoning he tamely shot at the keeper.
After 35 minutes and the appearance of Phil, we started to fade a bit and allowed Realta back into the game, when a deflected shot spun by the beaten Cheung, 3-1.
This spurred Realta on and a poor pass out from the back saw them break down our left fire in a cross that was well finished, 3-2 and they shouldn’t have been anywhere near us.
Just before the break Alex floated a beautiful free kick to the back post were Denver met the ball with the corner of his head to restore some composure, 4-2. This probably tempered Kirker’s team talk as he was seen plugging in the hair dryer at 3-2.
We talked about stopping the niggly fouls and getting involved and to concentrate on the game as the next goal would be vital. We started brightly as did Realta and the game sung both ways. Clarke won a free kick on the edge of the box. Alex seeing the keeper set his wall then strangely stand behind it simply passed the ball into the corner, 5-2 and that you would think would be that. But oh no not the 22nd we like to make things interesting and let Realta back into it again.
A speculative cross from the right swung in over Cheungs head, he tried to push it over the bar but only succeeded in tipping it onto the bar. The Realta striker reacted first and thumped the ball into the empty net 5-3 and there was hope again. We were put under a bit of pressure and were creaking a bit but we managed to come through the wee spell. We almost got a goal when a great cross found Willie (James Milner) at the back post unmarked but his volley near killed that fox he was hunting last year. We made our changes got on the fresh legs and shored things up a bit. We got Clarke clear and with only the keeper to beat he blasted the ball straight at him with the goal at his mercy.
We then sealed the game when a nice move saw millsy released down the right and he cut in and fired a great finish into the far corner, 6-3. Alex nearly made it 7 when he ran onto a Clarke Tee-up only to see his well hit shot superbly saved by the Realta keeper. Again Clarke was causing them problems with his speed and trickery and looked to have been pushed over in the box but yet again the referee waved claims for a penalty away. Having seen enough the referee blew for full time and 3 points are a great way to start the campaign. We must also thank Realta for agreeing to bring forward our fixture from Saturday to Tuesday to help facilitate our Take 5 tournament.
Team
W.Cheung C.Henry L.Beattie A.McCrea C.Mills W.Simpson D.Brown J.McKimm A.Patterson C.Bacon T.Orr
Subs
J.Burrows D.Bell T.McKee
2020/21
2019/20NAFL 2C
Saturday, 15th February 2020
Saturday 8th February 2020
Saturday 25th January 2020
Saturday 11th January 2020
Saturday 7th December 2019
Saturday, 16th November 2019
Toals County Antrim Junior Shield
Third Round
Loughmoss
22nd Old Boys 3-2 Carryduff Athletic
W.Cheung S.Megarry L.Beattie D.Bell G.Gillespie S.Vance D.Brown W.Simpson A.Crooks L.Boobyer C.Bacon
SUBS: J.Rowan D.Hyndman D.Larkin
Saturday, 5th October 2019
NAFL 2C
Clarendon
22nd Old Boys 0-6 Realta
With Coach Kirker Away, Brian Scott and Neil Herron we’re left with the reigns. Unfortunately for the pair, it was a Saturday afternoon were shopping with the wives would’ve been more memorable.
The game started with 22nd causing problems all over the pitch. Unfortunately, it was problems for themselves. And it didn’t take long for a costly one when a Realta corner was parried into the 22nd net by the home teams keeper with little pressure from the visitors. 1-0 Realta.
22nd could’ve and should’ve had the opportunity to equalise when a clear hand ball in the box, above head height was missed by the referee.
Not too long later, the Realta right winger made mugs of the 22nd left hand side before forcing the ball across the 22nd box for a tap in and Realta’s second. 2-0.
Despite the managements instructions, the high press wasn’t being used effectively and with sammy tucking in, Crooksy was continually forced back by the Realta left winger for the majority of the half therefore allowing Realta to start many attacks through playing there way out from the back. Once the 22nd players decided to listen to the voices from the sideline, their performance started in improve.
Realta pushed to half time and increased their lead further with another 2 resulting in a 4-0 scoreline at the break.
The second half started with 22nd seeing more of the ball but failing to create anything of note.
Then a moment of madness. With realta getting into the box, sammy fouled their forward. The referee pointed to the spot and unfortunately for Megarry, issued the red card. Penalty realta, Goal realta. 5-0.
A superb run down the line and into the box from Crooksy, saw him pull the ball back to Clarke 12 yards out, and with the goal at his mercy, fired the ball over the trees and down into the Glen. 22nd’s best phase of the game wasted.
Realta pushed on and grabbed a 6th against the 22nd’s 10 men and the game finished 6-0.
An improved second half, but there was no comeback from that awful first 45 minutes. A very much deserved 3 points from Realta.
Into Europe next week as the first team host NFC Kesh from the Fermanagh and Western first division in the Junior Cup third round in what is sure to be another extremely difficult tie.
Cheung, Megarry, Bell, Rowan, Gillespie, Vance, L. Beattie, Boobyer, Crooks, D. Larkin, Bacon SUBS Carson, Brown, Michael Irvine