Newcastle v Orangefield  League 1B

11/12/10

Orangefield travel to Shimna College Newcastle for todays game with a few forced changes, Out go Brian Reynolds (suspension) and Dean Cousins (flu). In come William Richie and Nathan O'Neill to join Kyle Cunningham, all in their 1st season in the Amatuer league. Its a very young Orangefield midfield held together by the seasoned expierience of Tony Craig.

     Orangefield start well with O'Neill on the ball early linking well with the front two creating an early chance from just inside the box. The visitors using the width well on a big pitch stretching the home team, Cunningham and Richie using the flanks to good effect. Good support play from full backs McNaul and Wilson getting forward putting the Newcastle back four under pressure. Sam McNaul bringing the ball out of defence on surging run through midfield picking out the run of Harvey with a great ball only for another missed opportunity. Orangefield well on top and are rewarded for their efforts with a stunning goal on 20mins. It started just inside the half on the left O'Neill, Richie and young McNaul keep possession in a series of one touch passing, Craig and Sam McNaul get involved with good approach play in the middle and spread the ball down the right flank where its met by an overlaping run from Richie who whips in a great ball to the back post where that man Dempster arrives at the right time to score his 21st of the season and put Orangefield 1up. Orangefield continue to have most of the 1st half  possession but somtimes the final ball could be better as play breaks down in the final third to often, other than a few long range efforts from O'Neill Orangefield dissappointingly go in at the break only one goal to the good.

Half-time: 0 -1   

     Second half starts like the 1st with Orangefield on the attack again with good play down both flanks, Craig and O'Neill winning the aerial battle in centre midfield. Sam McNaul again showing great presence bringing the ball out of centre of defence to almost the edge of newcastle penalty area with an outrageous run and slips a pass inside the defending full back to Cunningham who knocks a great ball in to the back post only for another good chance to go begging. Newcastle start to gain momentum and confidence coming into the game more, purley from Orangefields frustration of missed chances. Sam McNaul who was having a tremendous game had to be replaced by Young Andy McCartney through an ankle injury after 65mins. Orangefield on the back foot now with Newcastle the dominant team in midfield. The visitors unable to maintain the same level of possession as the 1st half and make changes to try and regain a stranglehold on the game. Quinn in for Richie and Henderson in for Dempster. Orangefield rally for ten mins or so but are caught cold with a sucker puch five mins from time when Newcastle centre forward strikes an equaliser to gain a point for the home team.

Full-time: 1-1

   Orangefield are dissapointed with a draw due to having so much possession it almost feels like a defeat but, on the plus side its only our second draw in our last 11 games winning the other nine.

    Our last game before the xmas break is at Billy Neill playing fields against local rivals Donard Hosp, all supporters wellcome to cheer the boys on and enjoy some festive merryment Orangefield style back at the Blu..... Er  the Club !!

Team... Taylor, McNaul R, Darcy(capt), McNaul S, Wilson, Richie, Craig, O'Neill, Cunningham

             Dempster, Harvey.  Subs  Quinn, Henderson D, McCartney.

MOM....  Sam McNaul awsome in defence !