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

Dire

SANTOS 1 ROOFTOP 1

The derby game turned out to be a damp squib as Santos and Rookftop cancelled each other out on a ragged pitch in a howling gale. It was real end of the season football as both teams failed to gain control of the ball and a series of forward punts were all that was on offer. Santos had to thank keeper Hughes for their point for not only did the tall keeper score the Santos goal from the pen spot but his handling in the swirling wind was faultless. Rooftop had an excellent back four who crushed all Santos attacking moves but the overcrowded midfield meant that little constructive football was allowed.

Barry Doherty continuing as caretaker manager again for the absent Mc Geehan tried to get a pattern of width with his team selection but too many players chose the kick and rush option and the Santos fluency was gone. Moved from their home pitch at the last moment Santos found the narrower pitch restricting but did gain a surprise lead when Manus O Gorman was scythed down as he jinked through and keeper Aidan Hughes made the long trek up to score and retain his 100% record from the spot stretching back 5 years. Santos failed to hold on to this advantage for long. A silly foul let the impressive Mc Intyre blast home to equalize, just 10 mins later.

So half time saw a 1-1 scoreline

So little happened in the second half that the two shots brilliantly held by Hughes and reluctance by Santos striker Mc Carthy to shoot with the goal at his mercy were all that were of note. The real highlight was the impeccable refereeing display . In a tense derby game he controlled the game beautifully and his contribution is the only element of note beside Hughes’ Man of the Match award in the Santos goals.

It has been a traumatic 2008 for the Candystripes. A series of cancellations due to weather and other circumstances has seen them kicking their heels every second week since Jan. Then the loss of Burns Brady and skipper Mc Geehan has left the younger players leaderless. Finally the temporary loss of their manager has been a body blow to the club. Now the fixture pile up is starting to bite in but returning manager Mc Geehan is determined to galvanize his side back into the feared and respected footballing outfit they were in 2007. The next weeks see Santos play all three promotion contenders and they are just praying for a change of weather to allow their free flowing brand of football to re assert itself.


Player	Position	Rating	Info
Aidan Hughes	Goalkeeper
Conor McCormack	Right Back
John Ossawy	Left Back
Stephen Walker	Defensive Midfielder
Patrick Parker	Right Winger
Aaron Harmon	Left Midfield
Joseph McGeehan	Center Midfielder
Manus O'Gorman	Target Man
Conor McCarthy	Forward
Nigel Stevenson	Sweeper
Barry Doherty	Left Midfield