Shorts v Orangefield - League

Aircraft Park

23/10/10  

Orangefield have a short trip across east Belfast to-day for another derby game at Aircraft Park. The visitors are in good form with five wins on the bounce, and unsuprisingly the team is unchanged from last weeks comfortable win against Donard.

Orangefield start well and are camped in the Shorts half in the opening 15mins with plenty of possession. The midfield four of Reynolds, O'Neill, Craig, & Richie controlling the play with great support from both full backs McNaul and Wilson. Sam McNaul striding out of defence with confidence and picking out the forward  runs of Dempster and Harvey causing havoc in the Shorts defence. With all Orangefields possession they are unable to punish the home side as the final pass is not at its best from the visitors, decision making could be a little better. Clear chances are limited but Dempster manages to get a fine header on target from a Richie corner. The home side can't get hold of the ball in the opening 25 mins as Orangefield pass the ball around with freedom and ease, although possession is a bit pedestrian at times and would benefit a higher tempo. Orangefield gain a free kick 30yrds out after a foul on Harvey, smart play from Craig catches Shorts napping by taking it quickly to O'Neill, who hits a great chip shot from distance over the keeper into the top corner 0-1 on 30mins.      

Shorts attacks in the 1st half have been rare mostly a long ball up to the front man, but easily dealt with by a well orginised and soild back four guided by the expierence of skipper Andy D'Arcy.

Half-time: 0-1

Orangefield start the second half looking for an early goal to kill the game off, Shorts to be fair come into the game more this half and make Orangefield work harder for the points. The visitors are looking a bit lackluster allowing Shorts more of the play, Orangefield still have their moments though as a goal line clearance denies O'Neill his second of the day and Dempster strikes the crossbar with a superb header. Orangefield introduce Cousins and Cunninham from the bench to inject a bit of pace the game needs. Last 20 mins Orangefield are on the front foot again with Cousins in the thick of things pushing forward for a second goal, but after a series of corners and near misses Orangefield have to settle for the single goal to win the game.

Full-time: 0-1

Not Orangefields best performance over the last five weeks but very happy with a clean sheet, and an away win that Puts Orangefield top of 1B due to Ardglass and D.CC in Irish cup and Sirocco slipping up.

This weeks MOM is won by a solid perfomance from club skipper Andy D'Arcy.

Team Darlington, McNaul R, D'Arcy(capt), McNaul S, Wilson, Reynolds,Craig, O'Niell, Richie,

         Harvey, Dempster  Subs Cousins, Cunningham, Dornan.