The Northern Amateur Football Association (NAFL) team win the Britton Rosebowl against the Scottish Amateur Football Association (SAFA)
The Britton Rosebowl,
Venue: Robert Adams Park, Crossgar on Saturday 10 5 25.
Final Score: NAFL 7 2 SAFA.
The much-awaited clash of the titans of amateur football took place at the Robert Adams Park last Saturday (10 5 25) and the NAFL squad enjoyed a victory over their Scottish counterparts hard-earned on a very hot day in brilliant sunshine.
Stephen Carlisle, Chairman of the NAFL welcomed the SAFA team and officials and said: “Since the first fixture was held in Stranraer in 1079, many frienships have been formed and no doubt the game will be competitive and as ever played in the right spirit.
“I would like to thank Kilmore Rec for the use of theiri impressive facility and their kind hospitality.” Stephen Carlisle thanked the referees and the NAFL Rosebowl Committee for “their tireless work and also Brian Hutchinson of Uhlsport for his generous ongoing assistance.”
He also thanked Chris Morgan, the manager, and the squad for their commitment to the event.
Since 1979 there have been 43 annual matches alternating in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The NAFL had up until 2024 won 21 and the SAFA won 24. So a lot of ‘Norn Iron’ pride was at stake in this clash.
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Previous County Down manager include Jim Prior (Downpatrick Recreation) 1979 – 1981, John Hamilton (POSC) 1984, Paul Gelston (Drumaness Mills) 1987, Mervyn Boyce (Comber Recreation) 1993, Dee Herron (Killyleagh YC) 1998 -2003), John McCarthy (Downpatrick) 2004-2005, Paul Kirk (Lisburn Rangers) 2014-2016, and currently Chris Morgan is managing the select team.
As the game commence3d both sides pressed hard and the game see-sawed back and forth. jack Sharvin was working hard for the NAFL and Kyle Woods managed to get off a good voilley from tee edge of the box but it was held by the keeper. Ryhs Kellt too hit on target but the Scottish keeper who seemed the busier of the two again made an excellent save.
But in the 13th minute the SAFA open the scoring with a Lewis Loban rocket to the top of the NAFL net. And minutes later Darren Walker made it 0-2 for the SAFA when he managed to round keeper Marc Maybin.
The NAFL team between a combination of good saving by the Scottish keeper and bad luck were unfortunate to go 2 goals down.
It was really into the second half that the NAFL made their mark against a Scottish side that seemed less connected.
Woods volleyed at the SAFA goal and the ball came off the goalkeeper and rolled in just 3 minutes after the re-start.
The NAFl team seemed move galvanised and with Calum Dougan coming on as sub working closely withhis team-mate Jack Sharvin, the magic happened and the FAFL front line started attacking with force.
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There were goals from sub Gerard McMullan who slotted in, and Jack Sharvin passed through top Dougan who hammered the ball in.
The NAFL were on a roll and McMullen nailed another goal followed but another from Daryl Evans with Sharvin powering through the SAFA defence and scoring on the whistle hitting the ball to the top of the net.
The NAFL front line had made a number of solid attacks and there were a few volleys and headers just wide of target.
This was the best performance for the NAFL team having previously scored 6 goals in 2010.
The final conclusion was that bothe sides now have 22 wins in the Britton Roseball, testifying to the high standard of amateur football in both areas and the competitive spirit of the game.
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The NAFL Team: 1 Marc Maybin (Rosario YC) 2 John Mahoney (Kilmore Rec) 3 Curtis Brown (Derriaghyt CC) 4 Thomas Wilson (Hollywood) 5 Gareth Henderson Derriaghy CC) 6 Yaroslav Pantilof (Kilmore Rec) 7 Nickey Napier (Derraighy CC) 8 Rhys Kelly (East Belfast) 9 Kyle Woods (East Belfast) 10 Jack Sharvin Drumaness Mills) 11 Max Miller (RosarioYC). Subs: 12 Dan McDonald (Rosario YC) 13 Rhys Lawson (Ards Rangers) 14 Gerard McMullen (Lisburn Rangers) 15 Daryl Evans (East Belfast) 16 Calum Dougan (Drumaness Mills).
The SAFA Team: Robbie Patterson (greig Park Rangers AFC) 2 Darren Walker (Bannockburn AFC) 3 Ryan McColl (St patrick’s FP) 4 Kyle Baker (Cupar Hearts AFC) 5 Ian Paterson (Drumchapel Utd AFC) 6 Neil Maquire (St Patrick’s FP AFC) 7 Danny Wilson (New Fram Loch AFC) 8 Alastair Brown FC Panther 9 Ross McDonagh East Kilbride YM AFC) 10 Andrew Gilmartin (Castlemilk Community AFC) 11 Lewis Loban (St Patrick’s FP AFC). Subs: 12 Zak Ross (Shortlees AFC) 15 Steel Ferguson (Glenburn MIners Welfare AFC) David Tait (Campsie Minerva AFC).
