Short Stories - Episode 1: Cop a load of this

2023-2024 Season: Under the Lights

After the drama in Tobemore, we played a rare Friday night game under the lights of the Dub as we entertained Rathfriland Rangers. Rathfriland were our first competitive opponents of the season after we had finished with our pre-season friendlies. That game saw us edge past the visitors on their own patch, 2-1 after extra time thanks to a Louis Blackstock goal. 

Could we repeat the dose on own pitch this time?

it does seem though the bookmakers don't think we are as good as what our recent performances say we are. They have priced Rathfriland as 6-5 favourites to take the three points on offer tonight. We have been best priced at 2-1 whilst it is 5-2 for the fixture to end in a draw.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 96 (7 away)

Despite winning at Tobemore, I opted to make a couple of changes for the Friday night fixture. Nicholas Turkington replaced Zach Annett at left back whilst Sean Hill, who created that last gasp winner, was on the right wing in place of loanee Cian Stewart. With Ryan Worthington still feeling his thigh a bit, we brought in Lithuanian Ernestas Verenka onto the bench. In fact, we had cover for every possible position which is a manager's dream. Rathfriland started each one of their three loan signings from the Premiership which further illustrated the pulling power between the sides. They were skippered by 40 year old midfielder Andy Kilmartin who started his career at Celtic but never made an appearance for the Glaswegian giants. He would then play almost 400 games in the top flight here with Glentoran, Distillery and Glenavon: but could our own skipper Johnny Wilson get the better of him?

Our first league match this season under the lights was an even affair with both sides having an equal amount of shots but neither side was more prolific in front of goal, although the match statistics seemed to suggest we were. The goals for ourselves and Rathfriland came either side of the half time interval with the away side taking the lead five minutes before the break when Aodhan Doherty, on loan from Linfield, crossed to the back post where fellow loanee Jordan Mooney rose high above Nicholas Turkington to place a header into the roof of the net.

We would equalise three minutes after the interval when a half cleared corner was headed out to Jonathan Doyle who laid it off to Turkington who in turn found Gary Brown 25 yards out. The veteran hit it first time and it simply rocketed into the net with Rathfriland's Ronan Burns given no chance whatsoever. Neither side could find a winner in the 42 plus 6 minutes  that followed, and we shook hands on a draw. Despite not winning, we rose a place to third as our incredible start to the season continued. Elsewhere, Queens University made it five from five with a 3-1 away win at Armagh City.

Newry City loanee Mooney, who tortured Turkington all night, took home the Man of the Match beers with goalscorer Brown being our best performer.

More updates coming soon, bit busy with work related commitments.

2023-2024 Season: A loss in Lisburn

After coming away with just a point on Friday night against Rathfriland, we were back in action on the Tuesday with a visit to Lisburn where Distillery were to be our hosts for the night. Distillery of course were the first club side of a certain Martin O'Neill. MON would make just seven appearances for the Whites before the legendary Brian Clough recruited him for Nottingham Forest; and the rest is history.

Could we extend our unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions tonight?

Well once more the bookmakers thought our chances of winning were remote. They had the home side as 11-10 favourites to take the win tonight with our best price being 9-4. However for those who think we would have a second successive draw on our hands, this was priced at 5-2.

New Grosvenor Stadium, Lisburn

Attendance: 191 (51 away)

We made changes again for tonight's match, in fact it was a double change once more. Zach Annett came for Raul Zabrauteanu in a switch that allowed Nicholas Turkington to move into the left wing spot vacated by the Romanian. The other change was a like for like one with loanee Cian Stewart coming in on the right wing for Sean Hill who like Zabrauteanu, dropped to the substitutes bench. The forward was again led by former Whites striker Jonathan Doyle who was keen to bag his fourth of the season against his ex-employers. The home side were skippered by former Ballyclare striker Joe Tully who has 18 goals in all competitions with 14 of them in the Steel and Sons Cup: and seven of them in one game against Carrick Rangers Reserves. He would be one that we would need to keep a very close eye on it. They also fielded all three of their loanees from the Premiership, two of them from the Reds of Cliftonville.

After the slow starts of the previous games, we opened the scoring after just eight minutes and it was tragic for the home side in the way that it came about.. Veteran defender Adam McCart looked to clear his lines but smacked it against team-mate Gerard Storey and saw it squirt loose into the path of Doyle who took a touch before twisting and blasting the ball into the net from the outside of the penalty area; giving home keeper Craig Robinson no chance whatsoever. Some way to open the scoring. Yet we imploded on the half hour as we conceded three times in just four mad minutes. Tully scored the equaliser, his 19th of the season, and then had contributions in the other two as we came apart in a state of disbelief.

Thankfully we didn't concede any more but to go from 1-0 up to 3-1 down so easily, meant that there were a number of harsh home truths said in the away dressing room at the interval. It had to be done to see if it could change our fortunes. As it happened, we came out with more fight as if we couldn't let this carry on at all, and we were rewarded with a second goal ten minutes into that second half. A surging run into the box from skipper Johnny Wilson saw him baulked by Mark McKee as he looked to pull the trigger. Penalty! Up stepped Andrew Ferguson to convert high into the net for his fourth of the season of which three have come from the spot in as many attempts. Alas we couldn't grab a third and equalising goal despite having 35 minutes to do so, and slipped to our first defeat since 27 August when Crusaders beat us 2-0 in the League Cup.

Whites skipper Tully, who had been a handful all night, took away the Man of the Match beers whilst Doyle was deemed to be our best performer in the second league loss of the season. This leaves us with an identical number of wins, draws and losses after six games and a goal difference that is neither in the positive or the negative. Queens University still lead the way with an immaculate record of six wins from six. their latest being a 2-1 home success over Portstewart where Matt McManus scored the winner 19 minutes from the end. That same evening saw Moyola Park and Limavady United serve up a 6-4 win for the Park at Coleraine Showgrounds. Not a dull match, then?

2023-2024: Six of the best…once again!

The midweek defeat in Lisburn really stung, especially considering how well we were playing beforehand. The fact our solid defence just collapsed like the proverbial deck of playing cards in just four minutes of sheer madness was unbelievable to say the least. Not even an improved second half showing could rectify the damage that had been done. So we watched those four minutes over and over again like a bad horror movie, dissecting the frailties.

We knew we had to get back to winning ways as soon as, ideally next game.

Before the next match, experienced defender Mark McCullagh expressed a few concerns that he wasn't getting as many games as he liked. Granted Craig Briers has been playing reasonably well, I felt MM needed a chance or two to show me what he can bring to the table. If he performs, he will stay in: simple as. One player who is happy though is back up keeper Allister McVeigh has pledged his future to us despite rumoured interest elsewhere; he's a very capable deputy to Jonah Magill. Just the tonic ahead of Saturday…

Saturday takes us to East Park, the home of East Belfast, in the quarter finals of the Steel and Sons Cup. This is a real chance to get into the semi-finals and within touching distance of a piece of silverware already. The bookies have priced both sides at 8-5 with 5-2 your best price for a draw. They're gonna fancy their chances, we just have to be up for the task in hand.

East Park, Belfast

Attendance: 329  (153 away)

In light of Tuesday's loss, we changed two members of the back four but not because we were making them scapegoats. Mark McCullagh was given a chance to prove his worth following his chat midweek whilst Jack Graham was given a start in central defender as we rested Andrew Ferguson. Vice-Captain Craig Briers was the one to make way for McCullagh, but this was not going to be the first time changes like this would happen. The bench was selected so we had cover for all positions should we needed to utilise it. East Belfast had a squad that had a number of Glentoran connections, including Congolese striker Nick Beta  and pacy teenager Jay Dalzell. Can we avoid the banana skin that was in our path?

After a surprisingly cagey start, we took the lead in the 22nd minute. The recalled McCullagh played a throw in to skipper Johnny Wilson who returned the ball to the full back and he in turn teed up Louis Blackstock to drill a sweet half volley into the far corner of the net. Then as half time seemed imminent we had a second; Zach Annett played the ball down the line for Nicholas Turkington who tucked inside to the onrushing Blackstock  to leather in his second of the game and fourth of the season into the top corner. It got better 25 seconds into the second half, Cian Stewart zipping down the right wing before finding Jonathan Doyle who found the net with a shot that clipped the post and in. Dreamland.

There had been little for the home support to cheer over but they did have something in the 49th minute when Beta outstripped Graham for pace before calmly slotting past Jonah Magill. Lithuanian Ernestas Verenka and Jake Moore were then introduced for cameo roles, and it cued up more goals for us. In the 76th minute Verenka's corner was met by a quality header from McCullagh who was certainly making the most of his inclusion, and then three minutes later Stewart again burst down the right and his cross picked out the onrushing Verenka to plant home a header for 1-5.  Dalzell scrambled in a second for the hosts with eight minutes to go after we had got ourselves into a unwanted tangle but we had the final word two minutes from time when McCullagh's punt forward caused indecision from home keeper Wayne Drummond and Moore nipped in to nod the ball home for our sixth of the afternoon. Semi-finals here we come!

There were many good performances out there in such a comprehensive away win, but the Man of the Match beers went to midfielder Louis Blackstock. Left winger Jordan McAdorey was the pick of the East Belfast team.

Minutes after the final whistle, the semi-final draw was made with Queens University, Distillery and Moyola Park joining ourselves in the hat. The draw gave us this.

A wee chance of revenge methinks? And also our first home tie in said competition too…

2023-2024 Season: Another case of the away day blues…

We had a week's break before the next game, which was on the road to the division's bottom placed side. Having lost in our last league match, we were hoping that the impressive showing against East Belfast would spur us on towards another win. But we couldn't take anything for granted, after all we were in a position that the media were not expecting us to be in.

Play to our strengths and we will be fine, right?

Despite being without a win in five, Limavady were installed as 11-10 favourites to take the win against us by those bookmakers. Our best price was around 11-5 with a draw best priced at 5-2. We knew full well that if we took the points on offer, and results went our way elsewhere then we could ascend the table again. The question was: could we do it?

Limavady Showgrounds, Limavady

Attendance: 101 (5 away)

With it being a league game, we were back to naming seven substitutes so we again covered all bases with our choices for the bench. The starting eleven showed a single change from the side that had appeared seven days previous. Andrew Ferguson came back into central defence at the expense of Jack Graham who had a reasonably decent match at East Park but not outstanding. Mark McCullagh kept his place at right back ahead of Craig Briers and I felt that this side had more than enough to defeat the basement dwellers. The Roesiders had a youthful squad out on duty keen to impress and make their collective mark on the game but this was offset by the experience provided by former Coleraine winger Ian Parkhill, centre half Graham Crown (who had played for a number of years at Institute and also Coleraine) and stalwart skipper Hugh Carlin who was in his ninth successive season at the Showgrounds.

In a game which had very few clear cut chances because of incessant rain throughout, we went behind three minutes before half time. A long range effort from Crown was parried by Jonah Magill, and as our defence hesitated, Parkhill drove home the rebound. We were being beaten by the league's bottom placed side and had been reduced to being absolute mediocre. I made changes, and it looked like nothing would come until we drew level with 19 minutes left on the clock. Skipper Johnny Wilson's pass saw two home defenders collide with each other in a moment of slapstick comedy; leaving Cian Stewart with an unchallenged run on goal and the loan signing advanced before confidently placing a shot into the far corner for 1-1.

We hoped that we would kick on from there and take the points. However, Stewart's effort turned out to be our only effort on target in the entire game as we continued to play absolute shocking football. With us hopelessly out of tune, the Roesiders had the chance to grab a morale boosting win and they got it with just three minutes to go. They recycled possession after Wilson half cleared, and the ball found its way to skipper Carlin who literally crunched it home from fully 25 yards out with Magill given no chance at all.

Hugh Carlin was the recipient of the Man of the Match beers with Stewart being the best performer from our shower of dog poo…

2023-2024 Season: Birthday presents in Ballyclare

Saturday's loss to bottom placed Limavady made it back to back losses in the league for us, and left us exactly halfway after seven matches. It had more complications than losing to the then basement dwellers, as results elsewhere meant we're just three points adrift of the new bottom placed side: Portstewart so unless we arrest (if you pardon the pun) this slide quickly then we could hurtle down the table quicker than Franz Klammer descending Kitzbuhel.

After such an impressive beginning, we're unravelling like Granny's knitted jumper at the moment.

Tuesday, gave us an away trip to Ballyclare on my birthday. The Intermediate Cup isn't a priority as much as some might picture but it's like any competition you enter: you've got to put the hard yards in to compete and advance. However, Ballyclare Comrades are a division above us in the league pyramid and lie 5th in the Championship after 12 games played. So naturally the bookmakers have the Comrades as favourites to progress with a best priced 4-6.  Obviously they think we have very little hope and are 7-2 to advance, it's 11-4 if you fancy a draw.

Dixon Park, Ballyclare

Attendance: 119 (37 away)

The Intermediate Cup meant we were back to naming just five substitutes instead of seven, so Jack Graham and Sean Hill were the ones to miss out from the squad that were on duty in Limavady last Sunday. I resisted the call to bring back Craig Briers in place of Mark McCullagh at right-back, believing the veteran would justify his inclusion with a good performance. However I did make one change, and that was to include Lithuanian winger Ernestas Verenka on the left wing in place of Nicholas Turkington to try and get more consistency in that position. The home side had youth team keeper Robbie Mather in between the posts, in fact none of their side was aged over 25. There was no place at all in the sixteen for former Coleraine and Crusaders defensive stalwart Howard Beverland; a veteran of 370 top division games.

Naturally we were under the proverbial pump from the start, but for some reason the home strikers seemed to have forgotten their shooting boots as the efforts were tamely at Jonah Magill or widely off target leaving their supporters completely perplexed and thinking they would pay the ultimate price. With this happening, we had the feeling that we might just be able to spring a surprise if we could manufacture a chance on goal. But their defence was proving a tough nut to crack open and I was preparing myself for saying “Job well done so far” at half time when the deadlock was broken in the first of two minutes added on and surprisingly enough it was us that scored it. McCullagh tried to play the ball into Jonathan Doyle but home defender Owen McConville got a foot in. The ball would land at the feet of Cian Stewart who steered the ball across Mather and low into the far corner for a shock lead. It was his team-leading sixth of the season.

The second half was a carbon copy as the Comrades looked to try to get back on level terms and save themselves from what their supporters were seeing as an embarrassing Cup exit. However, the 37 away fans were sensing something completely polar opposite and the perfect way to celebrate. Could we bag the icing on the cake or would we capitulate under the incessant pressure eventually? Yet time ticked on, and we got a corner in second half added-on time. Verenka delivered, and after the corner was headed out back to him - the Lithuanian winger crossed for Ben Mitchell to rise the highest and head in the clincher! Happy Birthday the away fans serenaded as the final whistle sounded just seconds later. A remarkable effort considering we had just the two efforts on target from six all game and both resulted in goals. Beautiful.

Mitchell was the choice for the Man of the Match beers but the back four as a whole were fantastic on the whole.

D

2023-2024 Season: Better late than never….

After the euphoria of the win at Ballyclare on my birthday, it was a case of switching our attentions to the Northern Irish FA Cup at the weekend. Aside of the League campaign, this is one competition I really want a decent shot and make the stages where the Premiership sides such as Linfield, Crusaders, Cliftonville, Purple Bricks FC (Larne) and Glentoran come into the equation.

Imagine us hosting one of the big names at a sold-out The Dub? Sounds delightful…but let's not get too ahead of ourselves!

We enter at the Third Qualifying Round, which is two stages before said Premiership sides enter. Our opponents on Saturday are KIllyleagh Youth whose standard is two divisions below our own. They've beaten Chimney Corner and Crumlin United to get to where they are now, and we are going to treat them with the respect a higher ranked side should give a lesser one. Because we're the higher ranked team, for once we're seen as favourites to win the game itself with the bookies having us at 8-15, Killyleagh are 5-1 and it's 3-1 to be a draw.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 294 (85 away)

Because we were playing a lesser ranked side in Killyleagh, I was sorely tempted to make wholesale changes. As it was, I made eight in all which included a rare start in goal for Allister McVeigh and three of the back four swapped. Of the side that started at Ballyclare, only Ben Mitchell, Jonathan Doyle and skipper Johnny Wilson stayed in the starting eleven. I saw it as a chance for players such as Ryan Woods and Rory McLaughlan to show me what they are made of as well as Craig Briers, Sean Hill and Raul Zabrauteanu to force my hand a bit in terms of future team selections. Killyleagh had a side out where the oldest players on show for them were a mere 21. They had nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

Words were advised not to guard against complacency because we were playing in effect, a bunch of kids. The expectation was that we would win and win comfortably too but despite being on the front foot, as I wanted, Killyleagh actually took the lead in the 20th minute and what a strike it was! Some well constructed passing saw the ball land at the feet of Curtis Craig at the edge of the penalty area, and the lone striker turned Mitchell before absolutely walloping a shot beyond McVeigh and into the net. A goal that wouldn't have looked out of place in the top divisions for sure. And they kept it that way right the way up to half time leading again to the team being given a few choice bleeps.

The xG had been one of the best we had had all season so far, yet we were behind the proverbial eight ball. Time ticked on, and as I decided to swap Zabrauteanu for Cian Stewart: we equalised. The move was not because of Zabrauteanu having a bit of a ‘mare but in the last few games, Stewart has really been direct with his wing play. That equaliser came in the 70th minute when the afore-mentioned Zabrauteanu’s low cross find Doyle who was denied point blank by Jonathan Holland but the rebound pop out to Hill who tapped home. Sensing Killyleagh were tiring, I urged the players on for a winner as I didn't fancy extra time nor penalties. Surely we could find a winner that our domination deserved, and we did with three minutes to go when substitute Aaron Cochrane sent Hill raiding down the right and another low cross was met by Doyle as the Killyleagh defence dawdled for the winner. We deserved it, but had made hard work of it too.

For scoring one and creating the winner, Sean Hill received the Man of the Match beers. That said, all the starting front three played very well indeed and Craig Briers had a very good game at right-back. So do I continue with him there in seven days time or recall Mark McCullagh: one of the highly influential figures in the dressing room.

We now have seven days to prepare for the visit of Armagh City, but back to back wins will surely give us a bit of confidence going forwards. Makes a change from playing Saturday-Midweek-Saturday as we have done recently.

2023=2024 Season: The word on the street is…DRAW!

I was so happy to get the Killyleagh Irish Cup out of the way, and even better that we managed to get through despite making a raft of changes. I would have felt rather embarrassed if we had gone out to them especially considering the standard we play at and what they do, and that is not a dig at Killyleagh whatsoever. We have had, League Cup aside, been very good in the Cup competitions this season and are actually only 180 minutes away from picking some silverware already if truth be told.

We have to be happy with that.

Monday night on the Sports round-up on BBC Newsline NI, the draw for the fourth round of the Irish FA Cup was made, As one of 11 teams from our division in the hat, only Dollingstown (victims of Dunmurry Rec in the second qualifying round) and, Portstewart and Tobemore United (who lost to fellow Premier Intermediate League sides): there was every chance that we could get a divisional rival in the stage before the Championship and Premiership make their respective entries to the Cup arena. And guess what, we drew a divisional opponent:

We are yet to play Banbridge this season, and were actually going to play them on the date now earmarked for the Irish Cup encounter. As such the league game has been rescheduled for what was a blank weekend; the week before. Guess we will have an idea then in that dress rehearsal. Unlike the previous round, there will be no mass changes for this game.

It seems that the recent run of games has really appeased Mark McCullagh. The veteran, if you recall, was a bit of a moaning Minnie Mouse a few weeks previous and wanted a run in the first eleven. Which he has had, and I'm hoping he will realise that it's a squad game when I possibly rotate the defence in the next few weeks or so. The biggest problem I have at the moment looms in January when Ernestas Verenka, Raul Zabrauteanu and Nicholas Turkington all leave for pastures new. All three can play left wing, and in Turkington's case: also play left back. As of yet, I have been unable to find any replacements from the free agent market which is the only type of market I can access until the window opens again in January.

Having had a steady match against Killyleagh, number two ‘’keeper Allister McVeigh is attracting attention from four sides although lower in standard to ourselves. I really hope he decides to stay because that will be another area of recruitment I will need to address as I ideally want three keepers as a bare minimum on the books. 

That same Thursday saw BBC Radio Ulster broadcast on air, the second round draw of the Intermediate Cup. Which team would be our reward for sending Ballyclare Comrades out in the First Round?  We were drawn in the fourth tie of the last 64:

Divisional foes Tobemore United are our opponents, and this game sandwiches the two matches against Banbridge. We have played them twice this season, once in a seven goal thriller in pre-season and then a 2-1 win at Fortwilliam Park on the first Saturday in October when Jonathan Doyle scored a dramatic winner four minutes into six added-on at the end of the second half. We'll take something similar for sure. Tobemore overall, have not had a great season in League and Cup and their 5-0 First Round demolition of Portadown BBOB (which I think stands for Boys Brigade Old Boys) remains their only win in their last seven matches. I might plan the odd change or three for the Irish Cup tie against Banbridge just four days later but not sure where to tweak.

2023-2024 Season: Aaaar-magh, as if we haven't enough of draws recently…but it's better than losing!

After spending the majority of October on the road, we have a series of three consecutive home matches in November before going on the road again as the month ends. To be honest, the Club needs it as it's not got much in terms of finances at the bank but that was something we knew when we took over the position. It also explains why most of the players we have on our books are on non-contract terms and can move between sides without a transfer fee being received.

So our second match in November sees a return to League action, and hopefully not lose a third consecutive game in the bread and butter.

Arriving at The Dub this afternoon are Armagh City, and they are a position above us in the table before kick-off. They are managed by former Ballymena United and Linfield striker Shea Campbell who is still turning out at the age of 42, and is in third spell with the Eagles. After being the favourites to win last week, it's back to normal this week. Armagh are 6-5 favourites to take the three points away with them, with us best priced at 2-1. You can get 5-2 if you think the sides will shake hands on a point apiece.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 99 (3 away)

After making eight changes for the Killyleagh Cup game, we brought them all back to the starting eleven for the visit of the Eagles. Despite Sean Hill having a Man of the Match game against in the Cup, I went with Cian Stewart and Ernestas Verenka as I felt that they were the wingers more in form that the others we have at present in those positions. Naturally every position was covered on the seven-man substitutions bench as we like to do all the time. Eagles boss Campbell named himself on the bench which also included his goalkeeping coach too. A win for either side in the rain at The Dub would do them the world of good as they aim to get back into the fringes of the promotion race at this early stage of the season.

Naturally we started off again, slow which we have become accustomed to now bar the incredible xG we accumulated against Killyleagh. However, the game exploded with three goals in 11 first half minutes. The Eagles opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Ruairi (pronounced Rory) Duffy dispossessed Louis Blackstock in midfield and after the ball was recycled, found the ball at his feet just outside the penalty area and smashed home a shot that beat Jonah Magill at his near post. We equalised seven minutes later when Zach Annett's long ball forward was allowed to bounce in the away penalty area by Jordan Lyttle and top scorer Jonathan Doyle took it on to slide home a shot past Conner Byrne from an acute angle as the keeper looked to narrow the angle available for the chance.

We were prised open again in the 38th minute and to be honest it was horrible, horrible goal to concede. Duffy split open the defence with a ball into Conor Mullen and despite the close attentions Mark McCullagh and Andrew Ferguson, he was allowed to squeeze pass into strike partner and skipper Stefan Lavery who had the simple task of tapping home. The rain had abated for the second half and we knew that we needed to get the next goal as quickly as possible to avoid chasing the game. McCullagh swung in a deep cross from the right and Doyle climbed highest to head in his second of the afternoon and eighth of the season. The striker could have won it in time added-on when he connected with a Stewart cross but this time the header went over the bar.

For his double, Doyle collected the Man of the Match beers in a game where most of his team-mates were off the pace. It was his third Man of the Match award from 13 appearances this season. Next up, Distillery in the Steel and Sons Cup semi-final and a shot at redemption.

2023-2024 Season: Cup preparation time…

We now had eleven days between games before the Steel and Sons Cup semi-final. As far as we were concerned though, it was just business as usual for us: three training sessions a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday but no game on the Saturday which meant we could get in an extra session on the Monday following. It would be the same for our next opponents, also being a semi-professional outfit, but the main thing to try and avoid injuries in that time which would force a rethink of who to play in what position. I had an idea of the team I wanted to name but I was equally aware my plans could be thrown into absolute chaos at any time .

One thing was for definite, I was going to ensure the team that would be taking the field would be my strongest one possible despite it being the first match in another hectic spell: we were set to play four matches in just eleven days. Just one of those was going to be a League one as the others were in three different Cup competitions.

The preparation got off to a good start before even the training session had been started. Allister McVeigh, Jonah Magill's deputy between the sticks, had been the target of four clubs in the week previous and I was resigned to think he was going to move on as they all probably were going to offer him a starters role albeit at a lower level to ourselves. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised when Allister advised he was very happy with what his role was at the moment with us, and wanted it to remain that way. You can imagine how delighted we were….

Another player being on the radar of other clubs is central defender Ben Mitchell. Mitchell, 24, who has played all but one game for us this season is rumoured to be a transfer target for our local rivals Queens University, and they have made it public knowledge as such. I've made it abundantly clear to them, Ben is not for sale at all but since he's a non-contracted player there's nothing we can do to stop him leaving if they make a formal approach. We just have to hope that Ben, like others, sees his future with us and not elsewhere. After all, the grass is not always greener if you move on. Just ask many a professional in this beautiful game of ours.

As regards, preparations never run smoothly when you have such a gap between one game and the next as we picked an injury scare 48 hours before the semi-final. The player injured? None other than the afore-mentioned Ben Mitchell who suffered a bruised shin in training which makes him a doubt for the Distillery match. If he fails to recover then Ryan Woods or Ben Gordon will deputise. It's time for heroes to step up and to be counted, nobody wants to on the losing side especially in a semi-final of any Cup competition.

2023-2024 Season: One step from glory

After that extended break, our next match was the Steel and Sons Cup semi-final against Distillery. For us, we saw this in two different lights: one, that we were maybe 90 or 120 (depending if went to extra time or not) minutes away from a Cup Final and second, a shot at revenge against an opponent that defeated us a month previous in the League. Therefore the lads didn't need much motivation to do well.

Could we rise to the occasion?

Our visitors tonight arrive at The Dub, five places and points above us in the league standings but don't let that be a benchmark for tonight's game as any formbook usually goes out of the proverbial window when it comes to Cup football. Obviously the bookmakers think otherwise as they have instilled the Whites as even money favourites to get to the Final next month. They have priced us, despite being at home, at 9-4 with a draw at 13-5. Like virtually every Cup game, extra time and penalties will be utilised if the scores are level after 90 minutes play.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 410 (163 away)

We made three changes to the side that draw 2 apiece in our most recent fixture. Craig Briers came in for Mark McCullagh at right back and Nicholas Turkington came in on the left wing to replace Lithuanian Ernestas Verenka who dropped to the bench. Ben Mitchell's shins were slightly sore so we opted to go with Jack Graham alongside Andrew Ferguson in central defence with Mitchell on the bench in case we needed him to come on in a cameo type role. The Whites side this evening showed one change from the side defeated us in the League; that came in defence where Ethan Warnock came in at left back which allowed Conor McDermott to switch to central defence and partner David Rafferty in place of Adam McCart. With only five substitutes to choose, we covered most bases bar the full back positions.

A much larger than normal crowd was in attendance to see which team would advance to next month's final, and despite being at home: it was the away side that controlled the game from the off. However, a combination of weak finishing and some solid goalkeeping from our very own Jonah Magill was keeping us in the game. One of the biggest wasted chances came in the second half when Josh Lynch wriggled his way down the left and measured up a cross onto the head of Gerard Storey, on loan from Cliftonville, who planted a free header straight at Magill when he should have scored. It was a very bad miss.

We struggled to get anything going in normal time, and former Whites striker Jonathan Doyle was having very little luck as our striking spearhead. Verenka was introduced with 14 minutes to go for Turkington to try and inject some impact. Yet somehow we held on for extra time. Doyle came off for Ryan Worthington whilst Mitchell came on for Graham who was showing signs of fatigue. The game looked like it would be destined for penalties until the deadlock was finally broken in the 112nd minute: Gary Brown fed the ball onto skipper Johnny Wilson who switched it wide right to Cian Stewart who cut inside two Distillery defenders before showing great composure to slide the ball past the advancing Craig Robinson for what turned out to be the clincher. A goal of beauty, and Stewart's seventh of teh season. Distillery tried to fight back but Magill was determined to blank them out, and we're just a single game away from some silverware.

For his imperious efforts in denying Distillery time and time again, goalkeeper Jonah Magill was given the Man of the Match beers and deservedly so. 

24 hours before our semi-final, Moyola Park took on Queens University at the Coleraine Showgrounds in the other final four encounter. Goals from Jake Morrow and Caiolan Brennan put The Park 2-0 ahead inside the first 11 minutes, but Ronan Young halved the deficit just after the half hour. Queens, the favourites to advance, were on level terms midway through the second half when top scorer Zach Ferson bagged his 19th of the season in all competitions. However, winger Peter Duffin bagged the winner for the home side with just three minutes to go. 

Therefore the Final is set as follows:

Some day to play the Final, Christmas Day! But if we win it then it will be some Christmas present for the fanbase. Three days beforehand though, we play the same opponent at the same venue. This fixture list is absolutely bonkers as it comes!

2023-2024 Season: The league slide continues…

There was very little time to dwell on our extra time win in midweek before a Saturday match in the league against Banbridge Town. This would be the first of two matches in the space of week against the same opponent, the second being in the fourth and final qualifying round of the Irish FA Cup. It certainly would give us an idea of what to expect from them.

Perhaps if we win the league, we get a psychological adventure for the Cup game?

Naturally the bookies had us down for another loss on the league record. They have placed the home side as 11-10 favourites to take all the three points on offer. If we are to arrest our league slide, we are 9-4 and if the game will see the sides shake hands on a draw; then it's 5-2 for that.

Crystal Park, Banbridge

Attendance: 72 (6 away)

We opted to make two changes from the side that won the semi-final in midweek. Ben Mitchell was declared fit enough to start the game this time out, and he resumed his central defensive partnership with Andrew Ferguson. The other change came on the left wing as Lithuanian Ernestas Verenka came in for Nicholas Turkington. Once more we covered all positions on the substitutes bench, maintaining a trend that we have opted into for the last few league games. Banbridge made two changes from their last outing as well: with Jake Redpath and Joshua Quinn replacing Edward Otesanya and Conor Downey.

Once more we made a dismal start to the game which was played in incessant rain, as we conceded twice in the first 18 minutes. The opener came in just the eighth minute when Mark McCullagh was deemed to have impeded Quinn at the far post as they challenged for a Scott Gormley cross. Up stepped Nigerian striker Ebuka Kwelele to blast home the resultant spot kick for his 10th of the season. Ten minutes later, we shipped another when Quinn's low cross was turned home at the near post by home skipper Stephen McCavitt with our defending absolutely non-existent. We looked shambolic and lethargic, perhaps the exertions of extra time in midweek had caught up with us. 

Words were exchanged and arms flailed in anger at half time as the squad was given the hairdryer treatment. A response was needed and we halved the deficit nine minutes after half time when Mark McCullagh's lofted ball forward picked out the run of top scorer Jonathan Doyle who clipped a shot across Niall Brady and into the far corner. Ten minutes after the goal, McCullagh's afternoon ended when he was carried off following a challenge from Kwelele that didn't warrant a card according to the referee. We shipped a third in the 71st minute, Kwelele picking out McCavitt and the home skipper bagged his second of the afternoon. 

With 13 minutes to play, we made it a one goal game again. Home substitute Callum Burns clattered Louis Blackstock in the penalty area and Andrew Ferguson made no mistake from twelve yards. It could have been 3-3 five minutes from the end, Burns conceding a second spot kick as he fouled Nicholas Turkington this time out. However, this time out Brady turned away Ferguson's effort as the defender looked to find the opposite corner this time out.

For his brace, McCavitt took the Man of the Match beers home with him; whilst Mark McCullagh (despite playing only 64 minutes and then getting injured) was deemed to be our best player on the day.

Good this pal keep it up

2023-2024 Season: Can't buy a win for love or money….

After having such a good start where we hit the heights of fourth at one stage, we are now in a bit of a slide. We just can't seem to find a win at the moment, and it certainly feels a tad demoralising for all concerned. One can only but hope that those upstairs aren't thinking that a change, i.e. sacking me, is the option open to them.

Midweek sees us travel to Tobemore United under the lights, a Tobemore side that is at the bottom of the league standings. However, this is in the Intermediate Cup Second Round and we're hoping to progress to the last 32 after sending a higher ranked team in the shape of Ballyclare Comrades out in the previous stage.

The bookmakers think that there is not much between the sides, as evidenced by the odds they have come out with. Tobemore United, our hosts, are best priced at 6-4 whilst we are at 13-8. If you think it will go to a draw then that is to be found at 5-2.

Fortwilliam Park, Tobemore

Attendance: 58 (1 away)

We were forced to one change tonight for the game at Fortwilliam Park.  Mark McCullagh's injury prognosis is not what we wanted, a very badly twisted ankle which is going to keep the veteran full back out of action around five weeks or so. Luckily for us, we have a ready made replacement to step into the breach in vice-captain Craig Briers. There are two further changes in defence where Jack Graham partners Andrew Ferguson in central defence, and Nicholas Turkington comes in at left back for Zach Annett. Compared to the side that we beat 2-1 here at the start of October, and that now feels like a distant memory indeed, Tobemore have the same outfield players starting but Tom Hegan is in between the posts as opposed to Morgan Moore who featured in said league encounter.

Predictably, the home side controlled proceedings but it looked like we would go into half time goalless when Tobemore scored in the first of two added on minutes. After defending a dangerous cross, we allowed the home side to work the ball between themselves and Declan Martin fed the ball to Iain McCashin, and the 16 year old spun Briers before hammering an unstoppable shot beyond Jonah Magill and into the far corner. No chance of saving that. It certainly changed a bit of my half time team talk for sure. But it was no more than what Tobemore deserved to be fair.

The home side added a second early in the second half to give themselves some breathing space; Martin fed in Daniel McIlhatton and although Magill pushed the initial effort onto the post: the midfielder made no mistake in netting the rebound. It was hardly the start that we needed when chasing the game. Our woes were continuing and we seemed powerless to it. Try as we might, we simply couldn't get anything going .Then we pulled one back, the problem was though: the timing of it. It came in the 91st minute! A counter attack from a Tobemore corner saw Jonathan Doyle bomb down the right and the centre forward drilled the ball across the penalty area to an onrushing Ernestas Verenka to place a low effort beyond Hegan into the corner. Could we get an unexpected equaliser? Alas no, as time ran out on us.

Tobemore's Declan Martin was the recipient of the Man of the Match beers tonight; with keeper Jonah Magill being the only PSNI player to show some kind of reasonable performance on yet another dismal night.

2023-2024 Season: A look back so far…

We have been in the job almost five months now, and safe to say it hasn't been all plain sailing.

This is how we stand in the league table at the moment:

Whilst our recent form leaves a lot to be desired, we are on course to achieve what the board wants from us this season: that being a mid-table finish. However, bottom placed Tobemore United are just three points behind us. Yet the same gap separates us from sixth placed Ballymacash Rangers which goes to show how tight things really are.

If we could start to put a sequence of wins together then this could be looking even better than it is.

Thankfully, the board nor the supporters have voiced serious displeasure yet. Imagine how delighted they would be if we win the Steel and Sons Cup on Christmas Day. Quite….

Our top scorer so far this season at the moment is Jonathan Doyle with 9; with Nicholas Turkington and Mark McCullagh topping the assists with 6 apiece. Turkington leaves us next month when he joins Wakehurst so we will undoubtedly miss that contribution a lot.

It's a challenge for sure. Not sure to keep the format for subsequent reasons or change it up. Let me know what you think.

Enjoying this one mate keep it up

Thanks mate. As I said in my PM, more to come….

Season 2023-2024: Current Expectations at a Glance.

This is exactly how the board see things at the moment, no heat on at the moment. Guess they will have a better positive attitude if we get into the First Round of the Irish FA Cup. Don't you think? Contract up for renewal season end….

And this is the actual supporters feeling, some slight mumbles but nothing majoe thankfully…at the moment that is! Can change though…

You can't please everyone. I'll be doing a similar analysis at the end of February and the season's end.

2023-2024 Season: Red card proves costly for us

The recent run of games came to an end as we played in the fourth qualifying round of the Northern Irish version of the FA Cup. A place in the First Round Proper awaited the winners, and the potential of drawing one of the big lights from the Premiership. Having played our opponent, Banbridge Town, just seven days previous then we have a good idea of what to expect. We know we need to contain their strike force tighter than we did then.

Are we up for the Cup? You bet we are…

Obviously the bookies think that the result from seven days previous is a clear sign of what is going to happen on Saturday. But what they don't realise is that this is Cup football and it actually means nada. They have priced the home side as even money favourites to go through, whilst we are a best price 5-2 to advance. If you fancy a draw then it's 13-5 for that.

Crystal Park, Banbridge

Attendance: 184 (10 away)

We made a couple of changes from the side that lost in midweek at Tobemore United. Ben Mitchell returned to partner Andrew Ferguson in central defence whilst Zach Annett replaced Gary Brown as we reshuffled the midfield trio. Nicholas Turkington moved into central midfield whilst skipper Johnny Wilson moved into the defensive midfield role vacated by Brown, Louis Blackstock was declared fit to play despite leaving the Tobemore game with a bruised shin early in the second half. Banbridge's side had one change from that beat us 3-2 seven days, Conor Downey coming in on the left wing which meant that Joshua Quinn moved to left back to replace Adam Hamilton.

Unlike the first encounter, we actually made a better start and opened the scoring after 15 minutes. Craig Briers swung in a deep cross to the far post and Lithuanian winger Ernestas Verenka powered home a header that nestled in the back of the net. Could this be a change in fortunes for us at last? We would liked to think so.  However, the lead lasted all of eight minutes when Sean Og Gallagher's was deliberately swung wide to full back Quinn who cut inside Zach Annett before steering a low curling effort out of the reach of Jonah Magill and into the corner of the net.  We must be terrible dog walkers then?

Banbridge piled on the pressure and we were holding on at times, hoping that we could manage to catch them out on a rare break or two. Then with just 13 minutes to go, the game changed and we were on the receiving end of a quite shocking decision. Mitchell and Banbridge's Nigerian striker Ebuka Kwelele clashed after the former made a legal challenge on the latter. Next thing, the striker is rolling around like he'd been physically assaulted and wasting time: well that was how our lads saw it close up. Mr Davey then astounds us all by producing a second yellow and subsequent red to Ben, thereby reducing us to ten men for only the second time this season. We take off Verenka and bring on Jack Graham to shore the defence up, but we concede seconds later when Gourley's deep cross sees Conor Downey get the leap on Briers to head home. We push on but can't force extra time, our Cup run ends here.

Conor Downey was awarded the Man of the Match beers post-game; whilst Lithuanian Ernestas Verenka was deemed to be our best player on the park today.

2023-2024 Season: Seven goal thriller but the slide continues

After exiting the Irish Cup at Banbridge Town, and a potential money spinning tie against one of the Premiership sides, we were undoubtedly down in the dumps. Aside of the Steel and Sons Cup campaign, which has taken us to a Final, we have not had much to shout up about recently. Money is tight, and for a Club like us, our dream to progress seems a long, long way in the distance.

Is there going to be light at the end of the tunnel soon?

Our next game is a home one, as we host Portstewart at The Hub. Portstewart are a place below us in the table, so this is one of those proverbial six pointers as they say. The bookmakers do not think our form is going to improve any time soon judging by the odds on offer. Our esteemed visitors are favourites to leave with all three points at 11-10, whilst you can get 11-5if you think we will arrest (pardon the pun) the slide. A draw can be found at 5-2.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 101 (2 away)

A couple of changes for us from the side that lost to Banbridge. Jack Graham replaces the suspended Ben Mitchell in central defence alongside Andrew Ferguson whilst veteran Gary Brown is also back in the starting eleven. He replaces Lithuanian winger Ernestas Verenka, in a switch that allows skipper Johnny Wilson to move from the defensive midfield role to the engine room alongside Louis Blackstock. Brown is in his defensive midfield spot whilst Nicholas Turkington moves from alongside Blackstock to the left wing spot vacated by Verenka. Portstewart make three changes themselves from their last game. There are recalls for veteran skipper John Watt as well as Mark Stewart and Joshua Kee; they replace jesse Carson, Nicky Hudson and Paul Smith. Former PSNI man Mark Johnston lines up at left back for the visitors.

As usual, we made a terrible start to the game with Portstewart scoring inside three minutes. Ferguson was adjudged to have been a bit too forceful with his challenge on Kee, and referee Mr Clarke pointed to the spot. Glenn Law, the manager's son, stepped up to convert the perfect penalty despite Jonah Magill going the right way. Was just the kick up the backside we needed, and we levelled in the 26th minute when Blackstock found the supporting Craig Briers who crunched a half volley from distance into the bottom corner. Time to kick on, right? Well, not exactly as Portstewart regained the lead seven minutes when Law bagged his second of the game: a low long range effort that found the net when it shouldn't have. It was a bit of a daisy cutter to be fair, and we had just given him the freedom to have a shot and punish us.

Could we get back into it again? Well the game was taken away from us with two goals in four minutes midway through the second half. First of all, Gerry Graham made it 1-3 when he drilled in a low effort from inside the penalty area after picking up a short corner from Michael Smith, and then in the 70th minute Law completed his hat-trick when he converted a second penalty high into the top corner: given for a reckless challenge by Wilson on Matthew Holloway. Pride was just that was left, and a number of home fans had enough. What they missed was two injury time goals though. First of all, as soon as the board popped up into view, Magill's long goal kick was missed by Kielan Reid and Jonathan Doyle strode to beat Alan Walsh for his 10th of the season. Then we scored again. Substitute Sean Hill's cross was turned in at the near post by Doyle who gave us a glimmer of hope at 3-4. Could we complete an amazing comeback with still three minutes of stoppage time to play? Alas no, time eventually expired and it's now six league losses on the spin. Will this bad luck end?

Not surprisingly enough for his hat-trick, Glenn Law left with the Man of the Match beers. Our best performer on the day was two-goal striker Jonathan Doyle to take him to 11 for the season. But it was a game where the majority of the team were absolutely shocking as a whole, not just one!

As I drove home, the discontent was apparent. Fans were questioning the tactics, so maybe 4-3-3 isn't the right formation. Need to find a winning solution, and quick at that too!

2023-2024 Season: Praise be! We won a game!

After the fans reaction to the previous game, I knew I had to try and find something new to change our fortunes. We were hurtling towards that dangerous 14th place which the pundits had predicted for us at the start of the season, and that would mean relegation and probably a swift exit out of the door. It's obvious that 4-3-3 isn't the answer now. We need to get answers, quickly, before it becomes a much bigger problem.

Lose on Saturday and gawd knows what kind of negativity will follow…

League Game number 11, and an away visit to Coagh United. Coagh are below us in the table but then again so were Portstewart last week, and we all know what happened then. For once the bookies think we have a chance of taking all three points on offer, as they have us at 2-1 to do so. Our hosts Coagh are narrow favourites at 5-4, with the teams settling on a draw best priced at 5-2. Better than being rank outsiders for once…

Hagan Park, Coagh

Attendance: 95 (4 away)

After deciding to dispense with the 4-3--3 formation, we have gone with an attacking 4-4-2 today. It's more a 4-2-4 but you could say it's definitely a 4-4-2 attacking minded one. There's just the single change to accommodate the change in formation and that sees Sean Hill come in for Gary Brown. Hill takes up a right wing position with Cian Stewart alongside Jonathan Doyle in a potentially goals partnership up front. The home side make two changes from their last match, Tyler Anderson partners Ballymena United loanee Jordan McMullan in central defence whilst their other Premiership loanee, Loughgall's Lee McMenemy is also restored to the starting eleven. They replace Scott McGeown and Harry Wilson, who both drop to the bench. Experienced left back Nathan Riddle, who joined Coagh this summer after six seasons with us, starts at left back.

The change in formation seemed to look more suited as we started to create chances immediately. Could we make it count? Well after just ten minutes, we were awarded a penalty when the recalled Anderson clattered Doyle as they challenged for a right wing cross from Hill. After missing against Banbridge, we could have been forced to change the taker but we didn't do so as Andrew Ferguson blasted the ball top corner from twelve yards. We were forced into a change ten minutes later when Zach Annett went off holding his hammy, Brown coming to substitute. Yet the unusual choice at left back had a hand in the second goal which arrived ten minutes before half time: a deep cross to the far post where Hill headed in his first senior goal in his career.

Both sides struck the woodwork numerous times in the match, with Brown curling two efforts against the post from distance a prime example for us. Coagh got desperate, and we were ready to pounce again given half the opportunity. However, nerves started to jangle five minutes from full time when the hosts halved the deficit. It came when McMenemy slipped in Tiarnan Rafferty and the striker tucked it beyond Jonah Magill. Yet, relief was absolutely palpable when the final whistle sounded: the monkey was off our back!

The Man of the Match beers went to that unlikely left back hero himself, Gary Brown, whilst Coagh's best performer on the afternoon was goalscorer Rafferty.

Good result that mate

2023-2024 Season: Six goal dress rehearsal thriller

The win against Coagh was massive in every sense. It had been coming and it actually came at much needed stage of the season. If we had lost that one then the personal pressure would have been unbearable, I would have not been adverse to have probably heard the managerial departure chants coming from our fan base. As it is, the change of formation has given me a stay of execution.

Nobody likes to lose their managerial job at Christmas time. I mean just think about Derek Dooley and Christmas Eve 1973.

Friday night's game pits two teams at differing ends of the league table. Our hosts Moyola Park are amongst the sides looking to chase down leaders Queens University Belfast with us trying to haul ourselves up after a stuttering run of form that had seen us slide down the standings. It's also a dress rehearsal for the Steel and Sons Cup Final which is to be played here on Christmas Day afternoon. The bookies don't think our win at Coagh is enough to upset the proverbial result applecart, they have the home team instilled as 5-6 favourites with us best priced at 11-4 and a draw is on offer at 13-5. Can we spring a surprise under the lights in Coleraine?

Coleraine Showgrounds, Coleraine

Attendance: 47 (3 away)

I decided to go with an unchanged line up from Coagh for the trip to Coleraine. However, with one major tweak. Instead of playing the attack minded 4-2-4 which did an excellent job in Coagh, we decided upon a more traditional 4-4-2 for this match as we felt that going with the adventurous 4-2-4 would leave us too exposed in midfield. Moyola made just one change from the side that lost 3-1 at Armagh City, Jake McNeill comes in for Robert McLean who drops to the bench. They have a potent front 4 who are bound to test our defensive capabilities, and in the opposing dugout is none other than former Kilmarnock and Derry City boss: the vastly experienced Kenny Shiels.

We made the most terrible of starts, conceding twice in the opening eight minutes. The first came after just 96 seconds on the clock when Samuel McIveen's right wing corner was headed home by the experienced Elliot McKim; a defender who made six appearances for us in 2016 and is now in his second spell at The Park. We hadn't regrouped and recovered from that early goal when our net bulged for a second time six minutes later, a slide rule pass from Jake Morrow into his skipper Mark Kelly and he directed it past Jonah Magill for 2-0. If we didn't wake up soon, we could be easily swamped. As it was, some choice expletives from the dugout did wake us up. In the 24th minute, a loose home throw was seized upon by skipper Johnny Wilson and although Sean Hill's shot was blocked: Nicholas Turkington swung it into the mix and Cian Stewart hooked home from inside the six yard box for his eighth of the season and first in six games.

Four minutes later, we restored parity. Turkington sped between two home defenders before drilling it across the area for Jonathan Doyle to poach home his 12th of the campaign. However, all the good work to get back into the game looked to be undone three minutes from half time when Craig Briers was adjudged to have pushed Caiolan Brennan in the area. Penalty Moyola Park. Left back Richard Vauls stepped up by Magill proceeded a fine reaction to keep him out. Six minutes into the second half, the turnaround was complete was Hill poked home from close range: Turkington with his third assist. The home side made it all square on the hour when Peter Duffin's cross was headed home at the far post by Brennan. Neither side could find a winner in the time left so shook hands on a point apiece; if this is anything to go by then the Steel and Sons Cup Final should be an absolute crackerjack!

After bagging a sensational three assists, Nicholas Turkington took home the Man of the Match beers with him. Moyola's best performer was left winger Brennan.

The Cup Final is just 72 hours away!

2023-2024 Season: Double blow ahead of Cup Final

Our hopes of taking the Steel and Sons Cup on Christmas Day afternoon have suffered a double blow with two first teamers declared unavailable.

The first known absence is central defender Ben Mitchell who picked up a back injury in the 3-3 draw but carried on to finish the game. Scans have confirmed that he has sustained a pulled back muscle which will rule him out of action for a week. Meanwhile, we will also be minus central midfielder Louis Blackstock whose 79th minute caution was his fifth booking of the season and took him to the threshold of 20 disciplinary points. As a result, he picks up an automatic one match suspension which applies to all competitions including the Steel and Sons Cup.

Mitchell is likely to be replaced by either Jack Graham, Ryan Woods or Ben Gordon whilst Gary Brown or Aaron Cochrane are in line to replace Blackstock in central midfield alongside skipper Johnny Wilson.

One positive; veteran full back Mark McCullagh is now back in training but is far from match fit to regain the right back spot.

A Derek Dooley reference, wow! Love it mate.  Unlucky with the 2 injuries before the cup final though, hope you can pull through and win it!!

2023-2024 Season: Late Hill winner brings the Cup home!

Dress rehearsal done, now time for a Cup Final and what a day to play it on…Christmas Day itself! 

As advised before, we were going to be without two recognised first team players: one through injury and the other through suspension. How would we adapt to these losses? Time for new heroes to step up, yeah?

We're of course the underdogs to win the Cup despite having a creditable 3-3 draw in the recent league encounter. Moyola Park, who will host the Final on their own pitch, have been installed as even money favourites to win the trophy on their first Steel and Sons Cup Final appearance. We're in our fifth Final, and hoping to bring home our second win after winning it in 1993, as we lost the 1982; 1990 and 1999 Finals. If you fancy a flutter on us to win it, then we're best priced at 12-5 with 13-5 the draw.

Coleraine Showgrounds, Coleraine

Attendance: 535 (151 away)

As expected, we were forced into a couple of changes for the Final. Ben Mitchell and Louis Blackstock had to miss out due to injury and suspension respectively. We decided draft in Jack Graham and the veteran that is Gary Brown as their replacements, There was a third change too as Ryan Woods came in for Sean Hill who dropped to the bench. We also decided to change the formation too as it was felt that we're a bit too open even with a standard 4-4-2 formation so we decided to go with three central defenders with Graham in the middle of Woods and Andrew Ferguson; Cian Stewart reverted to playing a right wing role as we adopted a 5-4-1 formation to try and stifle Moyola's dangerous front four. The hosts made one change from Friday night's match, Alfie Hanna replacing Jake McNeill in central midfield alongside former Ballyclare Comrades playmaker Samuel McIlveen.

The home side took the initiative from the start, and opened the scoring in the 21st minute. McIlveen played a corner to Caiolan Brennan and the left winger took a touch before firing a shot on goal that appeared to take a deflection off Zach Annett and subsequently fly into the top corner with Jonah Magill given no chance whatsoever. We were being distinctly second best as if we had frozen on the door, and it took us 31 minutes to fashion our first chance on goal which predictably was off target. The big surprise was that it was still just 1-0 to Moyola at half time, it should have been more.

We made a bold substitution at half time, swapping Magill for his deputy Allister McVeigh. Then a double gamble in the 56th minute, skipper Johnny Wilson and Graham coming off to be replaced by Kian McConkey and Hill. With these changes in mind, we went to 4-4-2 with Stewart partmering Jonathan Doyle up front and Hill into the right wing. Within seconds of that double change, we were level: Doyle pulling the ball back from the byline to strike partner Stewart whose shot on goal was diverted into his own net by Richard Vauls. Vauls had the chance to redeem himself and put Moyola back in front 12 minutes from time after Nicholas Turkington had been adjudged to have fouled Jake Morrow even though it looked a dubious decision. The full back's kick was weak and easily claimed by McVeigh.

Could there be late drama? Yes indeed, and we provided it in the 89th minute with what proved to be the game winner. A length of the pitch counter attack saw McConkey's effort deflect into the path of Hill who showed nerves of steel to compose himself and steer a shot across Andy Findlay and into the bottom corner. Absolute scenes! Despite playing six minutes added-on, we remained defensively resolute and produce this scene:

Substitute keeper Allister McVeigh was given the Man of the Match beers for an incredible performance despite straining wrist ligaments when saving that penalty. Moyola's best performer was deemed to be McIlveen.

Incredible victory well done!

2023-2024 Season: Winter Window Re-Build

The excitement of the Steel and Sons Cup win is something that will last for a while, at least to the end of this season when my one year deal expires. Will I do a Louis van Gaal, win a Cup and then get sacked at the end of the season? In this industry, anything can happen to be honest.

There is going to be some activity for us as the squad gets re-shaped again.

As regards outgoings first, four players are definite departures and three from a specific position: left wing. Nicholas Turkington is joining Wakehurst on the 1st, Raul Zabrauteanu is joining Knockbreda on the 12th and Ernestas Verenka is joining St. Mary's YC (Portadown) on the 16th. This will leave us with nobody in that position and no cover for Zach Annett at left back with Turkington's departure. The fourth confirmed departure is teenage goalkeeper Kai Beck whose short-term contract expires and joins Downshire.

There could be a fifth departure if reserve team central defender Ryan Woods rejects a new deal with us as four other clubs are closely monitoring his availability.

Now onto inbound transfers…

Kai Beck, as mentioned above, joins us on a 30 day short-term deal from Downshire: the team he will re-join afterwards. Then on the 5th and 10th, we complete a double signing from Dundela. Joining are right-hand side midfielder Sam Morrow and central midfielder Owen Madine. On the 17th of the month, central defender Joshua Logan joins from Braid United. We complete the signing of goalkeeper Aaron McFarlane from Mossley YM on the 22nd before completing another double signing on the 31st when Ryan Dalzell, a goalkeeper, joins from Valley Rangers and Portuguese winger (he can play either side) Alexandre Machado joins on a free transfer from Institute.

We are also in talks with two more wingers to boost the numbers in those positions but are yet to find a second left back to provide competition for Annett. As always, any players signed must be able to fit in within our financial structure which isn't easy, and finding ones to join is a challenge in itself never mind the results.

Have I literally bitten off more than I can proverbially chew? Certainly feels that way at times.

Once you get those wingers in and add depth to the squad you'll be sailing!

That's the plan, but nothing is ever easy especially in this division. Probably the toughest I have ever managed in for a while…

2023-2024 Season: Honours even as a draw dethrones Queens.

Seven days passed after the euphoria of winning the Steel and Sons Cup Final against Moyola Park on their own turf. It's the second half of the season, a new year, and hopefully we can use the Cup win as a springboard to start to climb the league standings. It's fair to say that the first half of the season was rather Jekyll and Hyde but we might be on the right road now.

The question is though, are we good enough to take it to the next level? I think we are.

Our first opponents of 2024 on Ne'er Day are the leaders of the Division, fierce rivals Queens University Belfast whom we share a pitch with. The Students have led the division from the first matchday, and in Zach Ferson have a striker who certainly knows where the net is: he has 23 this season in all competitions which puts him second behind Distillery's Joe Tully who has bagged an astonishing 30. The bookmakers think the Students will take The Dub derby and have them instilled as 4-5 favourites to do so. We're best priced at 100-30 with a draw at 11-4. That said, the Students manager James Lavery has already fanned a few flames by claiming that I'm apparently overrated and he will expose my shortcomings. That's infuriated me no end, complete lack of respect. Who does Lavery think he is, eh?

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 225 (123 away)

There are changes for both sides today. From our Cup winners, Ryan Woods and Nicholas Turkington do not feature. Woods decided a couple of days ago that he would follow Turkington to Wakehurst as they re-shape their side.  We also go with a 4-4-2 formation after it proved to be a great catalyst in the Cup Final. Turkington's left wing spot is covered by Lithuanian Ernestas Verenka whilst Woods is replaced by Cup hero Sean Hill. Hill's inclusion sees him on the right wing and pushes Cian Stewart up top with Jonathan Doyle. A third change sees Louis Blackstock return from his suspension to resume his central midfield partnership with skipper Johnny Wilson. Player/Coach Jordan O'Brien is the substitute custodian as Allister McVeigh is sidelined with a wrist sustained when saving the penalty. There's also a place on the bench for newcomer John-Joe MacDonald whom we signed as a free agent; he had been on the books of Ards but was released by the Red and Blues at the end of last season.

The Students make three changes of their own. Andrew Gawne, Lorcan McIlory and Marc McKenna come into their starting eleven; they replace Mackenzie Pauley, Stewart Nixon (who has returned to parent club Carrick Rangers) and Ben Mulgrew who is serving the first of a two match suspension. Teenage right-back Jack Ovens, on loan from Portadown, is on the bench.

We decided to begin the game with a bit of a cautious mentality, which some thought was a surprise considering we were the home side. However, this was us respecting our opponents but with the belief that we could maybe capitalise on the odd break with our flying wingers in Hill and Verenka. The surprise was that it took Queens 21 minutes to score the opener; which came about when the ball was worked out to the left wing where Joshua Wilson was given time to take a touch and pick his spot high into the opposite top corner. Yet despite all the possession, Queens would only find the net just that once in the opening 45: a bit of a let off for sure.

it was evident we hadn't been at the proverbial races in that first 45, perhaps the mentality was to blame and that mood wasn't helped when Craig Briers limped away six minutes into the second half: forcing Mark McCullagh into an earlier than planned re-introduction to the team. As we started to cope with the change, Queens added their second just after the hour when a McIlory effort from outside the box was diverted home by Leon Bonnes; completely wrong footing Jonah Magill. At this point, I considered removing Hill and replacing him with MacDonald but he suddenly came to life. He created our first goal, speeding down the right and serving up Doyle for a tap-in from close range. We poured forward, and were rewarded with an equaliser four minutes from the end when Verenka's far post cross was headed into the bottom corner by Hill. The wide man could have won it too, when he drove a shot inches wide after Doyle had picked him out. Lavery was far from happy, that result had seen his side deposed at the summit by Dollingstown who won 3-1 at Rathfriland. Me? I couldn't care less about him…

For his performance, especially in the last half hour where he scored and created a goal, Sean Hill took home the Man of the Match beers with him. McKenna was seen to be the Students' best performer.