• Home |
• Contact |
• About |
• Sitemap

League - Saturday 15th December 2007 14:00 Venue: Kircubbin

Walker shows the way

Kircubbin 1  Santos3   Sat 15^th Dec 07

On their second of their three consecutive trips to the seaside this month Santos were delighted to encounter a fine dry day with no gales howling up the pitch.  So the game was decided on skill alone and Santos showed that skill is one virtue that they have in spades.  With old rivals Kircubbin just one point above Santos in the League table it was always going to be close and so it proved.  Pre match manager Mc Geehan  was hit with a series of pull outs  including star keeper Mc Veigh  strikers Mc Carthy and Mc Auley,  Man of the Match from the previous games Gerry Brady and the ever present Jonny Agnew. A number of positional changes were required but such is the strength in depth of this Santos squad that these stalwarts were not even missed.  Indeed Aidey Hughes, again called from defence, to stand in keeper was magnificent.  His handling was perfect and his enthusiastic organization proved a vital factor in the win….  and as a bonus he even got on the scoresheet.

  Kircubbin , as expected, started off strongly anxious to make amends for losing the local derby to Portavogie Rgs the previous week. But although young Aaron Harmon was caught in possession on a number of occasions early on, Barry Doherty, playing behind the youngster, was steady and secure and rescued his team mate in these nervy early stages.  Hughes was fielding the arial bombardment with supreme confidence and with Steve Walker dominating at centre back, Santos  took the sting out of the game and proceeded to trouble the Kircubbin rearguard.   Joseph mc Geehan,( having shaken off his horrific injury,) was pulling all the strings and twice with great vision played in the bustling Manus O Gorman.  Manus delivered a cross- shot inches wide then beautifully set up his  strike partner Paul Brady for a tap in which, in true Santos tradition, Paul spurned.  Still, now, Santos were a threat on easy occasion but sloppy work from the front men spoiled good build up work.  Kircubbin then pounced on this wayward attitude  Muir outpaced the isolated Doherty at left back and while Maguire seemed to have the situation well under control he failed to roll a safe pass back to Hughes and was punished, as the winger brushed him aside to set up Moore for a simple goal.  But this is a very resilient Santos side and they simply went after the equalizer.  On the stroke of half time Doherty cleverly played on the speed of Brady with a cute pass to the corner of the box.  Brady’s diagonal run was excellent.  He outstripped the defenders, rounded the keeper ,(who with little alternative pushed him over).  Excellent refereeing saw a penalty awarded and the young keeper sensibly allowed to remain on the pitch.  Hughes made the long trek from his own goal to calmly slam the spot kick home.  Incidentally Hughes has yet to miss for Santos from the spot for over 5 years,.. a prodigious achievement!

So half time Kircubbin 1  Santos 1

  A few harsh reminders were handed out to the front players about their responsibility to hold the ball up and a slight reorganization saw Paddy Parker resume as the holding Midfielder and releasing Micky Mc Cullagh to help the strikers.  These changes and a few words of encouragement to young Harmon had the desired effect, for Santos played with a new hunger and the ball fizzed about from player to player as Santos oozed menace.  5 mins in  and a well- worked set piece saw O Gorman move Mc Geehan’s corner on at once and Walker headed a stunning goal .  Santos were given a great boost by the goal and really should have added more before Kircubbin rallied and looked to come back.  But with Mc Cormick at Right Back absolutely superb and Walker a tower of strength Santos rode out the threat and hit Kircubbin again as Brady sped off from halfway .leaving 3 defenders in his wake. Again he rounded the keeped and  this time  stroked home.

  Santos were now comfortable and young Harmon emerged as the dominant midfield force winning all his tackles and showing great distribution.  Man of the Match Walker was the real hero on the day though. So a very sporting match ended with Santos leapfrogging their rivals in the League table.

 Another seaside visit in Dec  this time to Annalong will complete  Santos’ 34 year in football. With the steady climb up the table started manager Mc Geehan is determined it will continue.

The Santos club wish to acknowledge a wealth of goodwill all season and wish all those who have been so gracious a Very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.

Lineup
		Player	Position	Rating	Info
		Aidan Hughes	Goalkeeper
		Conor McCormack	Right Back
		Barry Doherty	Left Back
		Stephen Walker	Centreback
		Liam Maguire	Centreback
		Patrick Parker	Defensive Midfielder
		Aaron Harmon	Attacking Midfielder
		Michael Burns	Right Midfield
		Joseph McGeehan	Center Midfielder
		Paul Brady	Striker
		Manus O'Gorman	Target Man

Substitutes
		Player	Position	Rating	Info
		John Ossawy	Left Back
		Nigel Stevenson	Utility Player

Man of the Match
		Player	Notes
		Stephen Walker	Totally dominant throughout