Rosario YC Too Strong for the Saints despite a valiant effort
The NAFL Border Cup Round 2,
Venue: Pigeon Hill, Saturday 7th September 2024
Final Score: Saintfield United 1 Rosario YC 4
Saintfield United welcomed Rosario YC to a sunny Pigeon Hill on Saturday in Round 2 of the Border Cup.
The visitors who were managed by former Saint and Irish League legend Chris Morgan, came into the tie as heavy favourites given their place three divisions above the home team, and that added quality was on display in the early exchanges.
The Roses then dominated possession and fashioned two well-worked goals for Whan and Keane.
After a difficult opening twenty minutes, Saintfield gained a foothold in the game, and were rewarded when Adam Childs sent Naseem Ouldhamlat clear to halve the deficit with an expert lob over the goalkeeper.
Heading into the second half, the match was finely poised, but Rosario scored two goals from set pieces early on to seal the victory, with Whan and Keane both scoring again.
The Roses advance to play Abbey Villa or Castlewellan Town in the next round, whilst next up for Saintfield United is a trip to Belfast Celtic in the Irish Cup.
Saintfield United: L Patmore; A McClenaghan (C Thompson); E Barr; A Kirkland; C Taylor; A Young; R Sofley; S McCormick (G Gibson); A Milligan (C); A Childs; N Ouldhamlat (A Martin).
Rosario YC: M Maybin, M Allison, P Scollay, S Dougal, D McConville, M Ward (C) M Miller D McDonald, P Whan, G Keane
***.
Saintfield Seconds Enjoy An Away Win Against Newmills Reserves
Newmills Reserves 1
Saintfield United 2nd XI 2
IFA Junior Cup Round 1
Saturday 7 September 2024.
Saintfield United seconds opened their season by making the journey to Newmills on Saturday in the first round of the Junior Cup, and came away with a 1-2 victory.
The home side dominated possession in the first half, and capitalised by taking a one goal lead into half-time.
However, after some attacking substitutions at the break, Saintfield were able to level the game in the second half when Jack Brown converted Andy Moore’s corner at the near post in the fifty-third minute.
The tie looked poised for extra time, until Andy Clarke sent substitute Adam Hammerton clear to slot home the winner and seal the victory with five minutes remaining.
The 2nd XI begin their league season this coming Saturday with a home game against Holywood FC.
