League Table

1	Bangor Rangers	0	0
2	Annalong Swifts	0	0
3	Kirkcubbin	0	0
4	Queens II	0	0
5	Temple Rangers	0	0
6	Rooftop	0	0
7	Queens Grads	0	0
8	Grange Rangers	0	0
9	Newtownbreda	0	0
10	18th Newtownabbey	0	0
11	McQuiston Rec	0	0
12	Santos	0	0
13	Bangor Swifts	0	0
14	Kilroot Rec	0	0

Magnificent

When, with just 3 mins. gone, the ever reliable Stevie Walker flicked an innocuous up field punt back towards his keeper then saw Gerry mc Veigh had come off his line and the ball roll agonizingly over the line; old spectres seemed to have come back to haunt Santos. In 6 years, visits to the Uni venue have been marked by Santos conceding soft goals in the opening minutes. Against a highly experienced Grads outfit one goal could have settled the issue and when again early in the second half Walker’s partner “Squire” Maguire left the prolific Paddy Smith unmarked (a rare error for the excellent Maguire) and Grads went 2 up the match seemed over. But manager McGeehan’s last words in the dressing room were, “I’m in the business of laying bogies” and here was the opportunity. Playing with commitment and verve Santos went after the older Grads team with an exhibition of quality one touch football. Paul Brady and “Lazio” Mc Carthy are proving to be a devastating strike force for Santos and to Grads rescue came keeper Cooley with impeccable handling. Yet Brady drilled a pile driver to the side netting, Jonny Agnew fired over from a scintillating move by Mc Carthy and Parker drove inches wide as Brady scythed through the Grads defence, all in a devastating first half spell of pressure. But the goal would not come. Paul Caughey was a rock for Queens and Michael Daly was shrewd and intelligent at the back and the Santos fire seemed to subside as half time approached especially when a superbly flighted Mc Cullagh free was flicked on brilliantly by Brady only to glance off a post.

So Half time saw the Grads hold their slender 1-0 lead

The determination at half time to break through was bubbling in the Santos side and in a whirlwind start to the half they threatened again and again but found the University men resolute. More space was allowing the ever dangerous Paddy Smith for Grads to rampage and sure enough he kept up his great record of always scoring against Santos by netting the second after the Maguire blunder, Owen Grehan too was busy and effectively troubling Santos with a bombardment of long throws into the box and here new keeper McVeigh was masterful. On a rain sodden pitch he elected to punch the greasy ball and time and time again he cleared up any danger. But it was his excellent distribution that was the main feature of his game putting Santos on the attack time and time again. Then a defining moment!!. Young Mc Carthy slipped his marker and shaped to shoot but had his feet taken in the challenge but the unsighted ref signalled no pen. However this incident fired Santos and a pre planned double substitution of O Gorman for Mc Carthy and the powerful Aidey Hughes for Doherty gave Santos more forward power. O Gorman made his impact immediately winning his ariel battles and using his pace to great effect. He skipped past Grehan to invitingly roll the ball across Cooley but for once no Santos player was there to tap in. Undaunted… from a well rehearsed free kick by Mc Cullagh, O Gorman ghosted to the far post and ‘shinned’ in the first. Now Santos really raised their game and the psychological boost of having skipper McGeehan come off the bench (after his recent injury worries) fired up the Candystripes even more. Youngster Harmon who had been a prodigious powerhouse for Santos left the action urging his skipper “ To go on and do it”. And the captain certainly responded. Within 2 mins a goal of the season ensued. 7 Santos players were involved before McGeehan shielded an exquisite lay off ball to Paddy Parker who fairly hammered home to draw level. The last 10 mins was a see saw affair with Grehan prominent and Brady on fire but the excellence of the two keepers saw to it that no more goals were scored. On what was a classic game, the veteran right back for Santos Gerry Brady was magnificent. Instrumental in all passing movements and impeccable in his ball control he was involved in both goals and had his finest game ever in the famous striped shirt. Aaron Harmon too was superb in all he did as was the hero Parker, who was a rock in his defensive midfield position. So Santos feel pleased with such a performance and seeing their injured stars start to return spells out only good news for the future.

Next week sees Santos host old rivals Kilroot before a visit to Ardglass in the coveted Cochrane /Corry Cup Round 3


Player	Position	Rating	Info
Gerard McVeigh	Goalkeeper
Gerard Brady	Right Back
Barry Doherty	Left Back
Stephen Walker	Centreback
Liam Maguire	Centreback
Aaron Harmon	Attacking Midfielder
Michael Burns	Attacking Midfielder
Johnathan Agnew	Left Midfield
Paul Brady	Striker
Conor McCarthy	Forward
Patrick Parker	Defensive Midfielder