Great team performance for Thirds

Nathan Donald’s team got off to a solid start, holding things tight at the back with Patric Cochrane making some surging runs from midfield.

In the first half South Antrim dominated possession, testing the Raphoe keeper on several occasions but unable to break the deadlock.

The second half saw South Antrim come to life, being much more incisive in their play and taking the game to the opposition.

After sustained pressure, ten minutes into the game it was Calum McCandless who opened the scoring for South.

Gary Hylands crossed the ball in from the left and Calum, his first game back after a broken wrist, was on hand to deflect the ball past the home keeper.

Within a couple of minutes South doubled their lead with Calum again on the mark to drill the ball past the keeper.

The game was moving firmly away from Raphoe by this stage with South playing some scintillating hockey and their opponents unable to match them in terms of their intensity.

The victory was all but sealed when Adam Thompson, on a rare foray in the box, drilled the ball low past the keeper to make it 3 nil.

Calum McCandless then secured his hat-trick with a sweet strike, with the home side clearly in disarray.

A great all round performance from the team and some solid performances from several players, notably Matthew McPoland and Bryce Brittain-Dissont.

Defeat for Fourths

South Antrim Fourths lost 3-2 to Portrush Seconds despite dominating the game.

Half time finished with South Antrim leading 1-0 thanks to an Alan Smyth goal but the hosts could not capitalise on their dominance.

Portrush equalised early in the second half. Stephen Hood helped South regain the lead with a sublime diving reverse shot but they soon came undone and Portrush were victorious with a 3-2 win.