Short Stories - Episode 1: Knocking The Blues Off Their Perch, a 10 season challenge.

2024-2025 Season: A catch up on things back home… - Volume 2 Chapter 1 

Whilst I was travelling around Germany, watching the Euros, I made sure I never missed out on developments back in South Belfast by having frequent Zoom calls with my assistant manager Kyle (McDowell) who was handling things on my behalf, and it was incredibly busy with two more signings made and fixture news happening.

The new signings first, one of which was a familiar face to us all:

Joining us as a cover for centre half is 23 year old Bradley Lyttle, A native of Newtownabbey, Bradley has joined us on a free transfer from Distillery for whom he made eight appearances for last season. He played for St Mary's in Newtownabbey initially before impressing enough to be picked up by Premiership side Ballymena United. Whilst he didn't break into the first team for the Club based in the town where Liam Neeson was born, he was picked up by the Whites in 2023 following a second spell at St Mary's before his move to ourselves this summer.

One hopes that Mr Neeson doesn't contact the Club if we don't play Bradley and paraphrase his iconic monologue to Kyle or myself:

“I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you’re looking for ransom, I can tell you I don’t have money, but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let Bradley play now, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you. I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.”

It won't come to that I'm sure otherwise, I'm outta here quicker than Usain Bolt does a 100 metre sprint.

The second signing was that of Cain Stewart who has made his loan move from HW Welders, a permanent one on a free transfer. Whilst on loan last season, Cain played initially as a winger but when we switched to 4-4-2, became the regular strike partner to top scorer Jonathan Doyle. He ended up with a reasonable 14 goals in 35 League and Cup appearances. I'm hoping he kicks on further now as a permanent signing especially with more competition for places around.

We have also learned that Donegal Celtic are the team that have replaced Tobermore United who were relegated in 2023-24. We open our new league campaign with a midweek game against Portstewart at The Dub, just three days after starting the season proper with a Second Round Steel and Sons Cup game of which we are the defending title holders. Kyle's been busy also sorting some friendlies out, four of which are away from home. The first of these sees us take on Greenisland at Glenkeen Avenue on 20 July 2024, followed by games at Tandragree Rovers, Shankill United and Immaculata. The sole home friendly at the moment is on 13 August 2024 against Crewe United. That might change.

Although the squad did pretty well after recovering from an early season blip, I still think we're carrying too much deadwood in the reserves and first team and would like to move some on. Problem is finding adequate replacements, the players we're interested in all have one thing in common: their demands for turning out for us..they're much higher than we can afford. Wonder if it's time to talk to Ken about this? Knowing our Ken, he'll think we're OK and those players are just being unreasonable with what they want. Silly old badger….

2024-2025 Season: More Euro 2024 musings… - Volume 2 Chapter 2

With things seemingly all good back in South Belfast, I continued to stay in Germany to watch some more of the tournament. In fact my presence was being noted by some journalist from the Belfast Telegraph, who wrote a piece and in it: proclaimed me as “a fervent patriot” of my national side. Actually that kind of flattered me as I have never seen myself as an England supporter. In fact, I have always seen myself as a supporter of Scotland since my father came from the East End of Glasgow so to have me described as an England fan is nothing far from the truth. Journalists, eh? They're damn good at making up things to sell papers and it looks like this is a classic case of that. Next thing, they'll be declaring me as Carol Vorderman's latest love interest. As if….

With Scotland out of the tournament, and in typical Scotland fashion where they imploded when they looked set fair for a rare appearance in the knockout stages of a major tournament, I decided to follow the rest of England's performances whilst they remained in it. My next step was to stay in Gelsenkirchen where I had seen said Scotland exit and see England take on Scotland's conquerors Serbia. With Luke Shaw injured, Gareth Southgate drafted in Ben Chilwell of Chelsea as his replacement and it proved to be a real red letter day for the man otherwise known as HEK, the national team captain. The biggest surprise was that it took England 37 minutes to break the deadlock. Jude Bellingham worked the ball into Kane and the captain rifled a left foot effort into the roof of the Serbian net.

Then as half time approached, the Three Lions and Captain Harry had a second. This time it was right wing back Kyle Walker with the inch perfect slide rule pass and Kane whipped a right foot shot across the keeper and into the far top corner. Natural hat-trick incoming, maybe?  Well we had to wait for the 73rd minute before he completed his treble and once more it was a true poacher's finish that Serbia could do absolutely nothing about. It began when Chilwell sent the ball down the left for Marcus Rashford (who had come on for Phil Foden) to hare onto, and his drilled low cross was turned in by Kane from about a couple of yards out. Job complete for Southgate's men. Now for the hosts in the quarter-final, could they take a massive step forwards to ending the hurt?

Obviously someone in the BelTel newsroom must have been thought it was a slow news day back home, as suddenly there was a “story” on there about Carol Vorderman and little old me. Some might think she's nothing special, some think she's an absolute babe but can you imagine it if true. Her brains would blow my mind never mind getting to grips with her airbags. I mean I was getting calls off Kyle, Johnny Wilson, Jonathan Doyle and Owen Madine asking if there was any legs in the piece. I poured cold water on it, the only legs involved were hers. Anyway I rang the BelTel up from my hotel in Berlin where I was staying ahead of the quarter-final and demanded an apology. They admitted it was a bit demeaning to myself and CV, and took the story down with an apology in its place. Nobody contacted Carol for her opinion though….

With a week or so of the tournament left, I made an executive decision. I was going to stay in Germany for the rest of the tournament and see it through. Well since Kyle was doing such a grand job back in South Belfast, I had nothing to concern myself over until the BelTel rang me again. More Carol Vorderman rumours or was it some other celebrity babe I was being romantically linked to? No, apparently this time I'm being linked with a move from The Dub to manage Dundela in the Championship. I told them not to be so bloody stupid and that I had no intention of leaving. I had a plan for PSNI and it was something I wanted to see come to fruition. As soon as the BelTel call ended, Ken was on the line…

“Mark, Mark…you're leaving us after one season. Can't believe it.” Ken spluttered.

“What? Who the absolute fudge has told you that?" I responded.

“It's, it's all over the news outlets here. I thought we had an agreement.”

“Look Ken, I'm going nowhere. Absolutely nowhere. I've told the BelTel that Dundela can go and kiss my backside. I'm staying!”

“Sure? You're not going?”

“100 per cent Ken not going. Will be back on the 15th in time for the start of pre-season training. You got me word.”

“Alright, alright. I'll calm down now.”

“Aye dead on, you do that Ken. See you on the 15th when the players also return.”

There was actually a good reason why I was staying in Germany until the Finals had completed, it would mean that I would miss the madness of the Twelfth. As a devout Roman Catholic boy, I absolutely have nothing to do with the Twelfth “celebrations” which go on here. Perhaps the Ballymacash supporters thought it would be a great idea to serenade me in that final away game of the season with their full repertoire. They'd obviously done some homework on me. Anyway I would miss the flutes and the drums, and instead of focus on other things such as the Final of the tournament which would be played a couple of days later. Obviously, who would be playing in it seemed a long way off. I was just enjoying the tournament with no pressure on my shoulders. 

Anyway the first Saturday in July brought the third quarter-final and the clash between the two old foes, England v Germany under the lights in Berlin. Luke Shaw replaced Ben Chilwell in the starting eleven for Southgate, and they made a positive start when Jude Bellingham struck the foot of the post after just five minutes. It was a warning shot for the host nation, one that they didn't heed as the Three Lions went deservedly ahead in the 13th when Foden played Bellingham who struck a low shot across Manuel Neuer and into the far corner. But had there been offside against the Real midfielder? After a VAR check, the goal was good and the England support danced with delight. Midway through the half it was almost 2-0 but Raheem Sterling's shot clipped the bar with Neuer beaten all ends up. Then the host nation equalised with their first shot on goal two minutes later when Joshua Kimmich's run and pull back was tucked away by Florian Wirtz for 1-1.

Six minutes after that equaliser, England were back in front when Jordan Henderson found Bellingham in a pocket of space and he shifted the ball from one foot to the other before lashing it into the roof of the net. The Three Lions were dominant and thought they had gone 3-1 ahead with just 14 minutes left to play, Henderson again the creator and this time it was volleyed into the far corner by Rashford who had replaced Foden at half time, This time though, VAR wasn't the friend the Three Lions thought it was as the Manchester United forward was correctly adjudged offside. Despite the dominance, the fear was that the Germans would grab a second equaliser against the run of play and that they did with five minutes left on the clock: Nico Schlotterbeck with a run that took him into the area and drive a low centre across the box for Wirtz to arrive and force home at the far post. Devastation for the Three Lions.

Extra-time came and went with no further goals although England nearly won in the first of two minutes added-on at the end of the second extra fifteen when substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold thudded a shot from distance against the post again with Neuer nowhere close to it. Germany had just had four shots in the whole 120 minutes, they weren't going to break England's hearts again in a shootout were they? Step forward a hero in the shape of Jordan Pickford of Washington, Tyne and Wear, as he saved from Niclas Füllkrug in the second round of kicks and then Thomas Müller with the German fourth attempt to seal the penalty shootout win by 4-2. Southgate's men will now face Austria in Dortmund on Thursday after the Austrians defeated Sweden in the fourth and final quarter-final the following day after the Three Lions win. The other semi-final sees the Netherlands take Italy in Munich meaning there's every chance we could have a repeat of the 2021 Final.

2024-2025 Season: Climb Ev'ry mountain…. - Volume 2 Chapter 3

With apologies to Julie Andrews as well as Rodgers and Hammerstein.

The Euros are drawing to a close as we went into the midweek semi-finals, the Netherlands against Italy in Munich's Allianz Stadium and Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions looking to end 58 years of hurt against Austria in Dortmund which on paper is the easiest semi-final they could have asked for. Or would they end up screwing it up when it comes to the crunch like previous squads have done so often in the past?  Three years ago, on home soil, England predictably lost a penalty shootout for the umpteenth time to keep the nation waiting for success. After winning all three of their group games, seeing off Serbia with ease and then getting the better of the hosts on penalties; hopes are high.

I watched the Netherlands-Italy match in my Dortmund hotel room, Ronald Koeman taking Luciano Spalletti. Could the Azzurri make a second successive Final and gear up for a possible third win of the Henri Delaunay Trophy or would the Dutch make a second Final with their last appearance being the 1988 one which they won, ironically in (West) Germany against the Soviet Union when Marco van Basten (whom I share a birthday with) scored one of the best goals ever seen in the European Championships Finals like ever. That volley from the acutest of acute angles that dipped over Rinat Dasayev and went into the top far corner, stupendous. A goal worthy of winning any Final, and as for that kit…iconic as! Anyway this semi-final was as tight and as tense as many expected, with both sides not wanting to lose. Italy took the lead in the sixth minute when an overlapping run from right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo was tucked away from inside the six yard box by Napoli's Giacomo Raspadori. Perfect start for the holders but they received an injury blow four minutes later when Federico Chiesa pulled up with a leg injury whilst sprinting onto a pass.

The Dutch equalised midway through the first half when Man of the Match Arnaut Danjuma of Villarreal (formerly of AFCB, Everton and Tottenham) crossed for Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna to drill a firm shot across Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the far corner for 1-1, his first senior international goal. Neither side wanted to concede again so it became a game of cat and mouse for a while. The Dutch edged in front 18 minutes from time when Federico Gatti was adjudged to have fouled Steven Berghuis as he headed a Teun Koopmeiners free kick. Koopmeiners, a new Real Madrid signing, stepped forward and sent Donnarumma the wrong way from twelve yards. Try as they might, Italy were unable to get back on terms and their reign as European Champions is now over. Who would the Dutch play in Sunday's finale?

Thursday night in Dortmund, could the Three Lions reach their second successive European Championships Final? Well Southgate surprised everyone by making four changes from the team that started against Germany. Out went both full backs Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw, defensive midfielder Declan Rice and attacking option Phil Foden. In their place came defenders Marc Guéhi and Ben Chilwell with Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan switched to right-back, Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips alongside Jordan Henderson in the midfield engine room and Marcus Rashford wide-left. None of the four that were replaced had been suspended in advance so the decisions were baffling to say the least against an Austrian side managed by former Southampton boss Ralph Hassenhüttl.

Nothing really happened in the opening 25 minutes, it was dead boring to be fair so much so that it felt as interesting as watching paint proverbially dry off. Then with the first sight of goal, England were ahead when Rashford picked out Jude Bellingham who produced a composed finish into the far corner. The lead only lasted six minutes when Xaver Schlager found Dijon Kameri just outside the six yard box and he crashed it home past Jordan Pickford. Yet three minutes after that equaliser, England regained their lead when Chilwell's corner was met by a thumping header from John Stones. It got better still in the 42nd minute when Chilwell sent captain Kane through with a beautifully weighted pass and the skipper drilled it into the corner, However, we had to wait for a couple of minutes as VAR checked for offside but all was good and the Three Lions would go in at half time 3-1 ahead and with one foot literally planted into Sunday's Final.

Austria needed to score the next goal to give them some hope and they started to give it a good go to be fair. With 19 minutes to go, David Alaba of Real Madrid sent in an outswinging corner which was met by the head of midfielder Samson Baidoo but the Bayern youngster headed over the bar when his nation would have preferred to have had it that bit lower. They went closer still seven minutes post the Baidoo chance when goalscorer Kameri clipped the bar with an effort from the edge of the area. Could Lady Luck be on Southgate and England's side? Well they got the fourth a minute afterwards to secure their place with Chilwell again having an important role as it was his pass into Kane who slipped it inside to Raheem Sterling for a calm finish into the bottom corner. 4-1, job done.

So it's an Netherlands-England final on Sunday in Berlin. Will it be a second crown for the men in orange or will the Three Lions finally end their trophy drought stretching all the way back to 1966 and all that.  Time to change hotels for one last time…

2024-2025 Season: It all boiled down to this… - Volume 2 Chapter 4

England are in another major final of a major tournament, and as we all know…if they don't screw it up in a semi-final then there's every chance they will do it in the game when the actual trophy is on the line! It's just normal practice. Anyway I'm back in Berlin for the final few days of my month-long break in Germany, I didn't actually plan to stay here this long but the deeper the run got: well you had to stick around to see the final outcome!

Back in the UK, Premier League champions Manchester City have been flexing their financial muscle again as they look to win a fifth consecutive title. They've splashed out an initial fee of £192 million to sign Brazilian Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, rising to a maximum of £266 million after add-ons. I mean, yeah they have the money, but £192 million is just absolutely crazy money! I don't even have £192 in the bank to spend on new recruits for PSNI such is the disparity of these haves and the have nots. Whatever next, a £300 million transfer fee? Anyway the thought of Vini Junior and Erling Haaland in the same team, and chuck Ginger Kev the gamer (De Bruyne) and Dani Olmo (when back from injury) into that same squad: well it's proper scary biscuits time.

In PSNI world, Kyle advised we have secured a sixth and final pre-season game and this will be played at The Dub. We will host Stirling University Reserves on 17 August 2024, a week before the season begins in earnest. Whilst it would have been ideal to get a prestigious home friendly in, the more higher standard opponent involved then the bigger the fee involved you have to shell out for them to accept and money is not something we are flush with. If only someone would come in and take us over so Ken can swan off into the sunset and retire on the Costa del Sol or wherever he has his holiday home…

Naturally we are still in a weak spot where we could lose players and not be in a position to do anything about it. The latest ones that could be departing are central defender Jack Graham who has attracted the attentions of newly promoted Donegal Celtic, and striker Jake Moore for whom Championship side Knockbreda are keen on with newly relegated Newington also having him on their radar. Kyle also reckons we might need additional full backs (both sides), a left winger and maybe one or two more strikers. Looks like I'm going to have to go shopping for bargains again on my meagre resources when I return from Germany. I see it this way, it's like shopping at blooming Poundland when you've been used to going to Harrods in a former life.

So Sunday 14 July 2024, the 17th Final of the UEFA European Championship took place in Berlin. After 50 games across 10 different cities, it all boiled down to one match of 90 minutes, 120 minutes or even longer. Sitting there as a neutral, I just waited to see if it would be a classic or an absolute borefest. Ronald Koeman named a starting eleven which had four players from the Premier League in it: goalkeeper Mark Flekken of Brentford as well as defenders Nathan Aké (City), Sven Botman (Newcastle) and national team skipper Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool); whilst talented 20 year old Xavi Simons was given the job of leading the line ahead of 6ft 6in Wout Weghorst - formerly of Burnley and Manchester United. There were surprises in the Three Lions starting eleven too as Southgate chose to drop Marc Guéhi, Ben Chilwell and incredibly Jude Bellingham from the semi-final winning starting line up. They were replaced by Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Phil Foden.

A cagey beginning saw neither nation create a chance in the opening 25 minutes but in shades of the Three Lions semi-final, they broke the deadlock a minute later and it came from the most unlikely source possible. A weighted pass from John Stones picked out AC Milan's Fiyako Tomori on the edge of the Dutch penalty area, he had been up for a corner moments before, and he worked an opening for himself before guiding an effort out of the reach of Flekken into the bottom corner. Stones almost made it 2-0 seven minutes before the break with an effort from the edge of the box which Flekken held comfortably. Little had been seen from the creative Dutch side, England restricting them to zero shots on goal in that first 45+2 minutes.

The Dutch should have equalised in the opening throes of the second half, and it will be one that Simons will not want to remember in a hurry. Steven Berghuis' cross was half cleared by England scorer Tomori back to the winger who picked out Simons at the second opportunity and his weak effort was placed straight into the grateful clutches of Jordan Pickford. Half-time substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold then almost created a second Three Lions goal, his cross being met by Harry Kane but Flekken produced a brilliant save to push the ball onto the bar and with Aké on hand to hook the ball clear. Just after the hour another substitute Jarrod Bowen had another Three Lions chance but once more Flekken saved the effort. The Netherlands had no response as England controlled the match, giving their opponents not even a sniff in front of goal. A second almost arrived with nine minutes to go; Raheem Sterling striking the foot of the post after van Dijk had blocked his initial effort.

After four minutes of added-on time, the final whistle sounded. England had ended their trophy drought after almost 59 years of trying, and Jude Bellingham never got a minute's action in that Final. Some way to treat an elite midfielder Mr Southgate, eh? But then again, you've always been er…different!

2024-2025 Season: Back to the grindstone… - Volume 2 Chapter 5

So England, under Gareth Southgate, have finally won a major honour for the first time since 1966. The scenes in Berlin were unreal, so much so that bars were drunk dry in some places. However, I wasn't in the mood to join them. Not because I didn't want to be seen as a miserable party pooper of sorts, but I had an early flight to take back to Dublin Airport at 0700 German time where I would be collected by Kyle (my number two) and driven straight to the training ground for the first day of pre-season.

No rest for the wicked as my dear Mam always says. This is the life of a football manager, although my day job as a stadium tour guide at the National Stadium (Windsor Park) would be held off for 24 hours. You see it's not all about the football club 24/7, PSNI only employ me on a part time basis. But day one of pre-season is always the same for us, we see it as an induction where all the players meet up (old and new), get a wee talk from Ken and then it's down to the physicals to see what kind of shape they are in before rounding off with a speech from me as regards what is expected from them as players as well as outlining the Club's Code of Conduct for the season ahead. Quite the full-on day. Anyway this year we took on the large function suite at the nearby Newforge Country Club and Sports Complex, not too far from our ground, as we now have a squad size of 54 players which comprise of the first team core, the reserves and new to this season: the youth team - all under the age of 18 which no post-training beers for them. 

Five players shone like beacons after day one, four being defenders. Skipper and midfielder Johnny Wilson topped the charts and this was by all accounts to himself: an absolute blooming miracle. Why so? Well, Johnny went to Magaluf for a fortnight once season 23-24 had come to an end with his mates as his pal Ciaran was on his stag do and then he was away again shortly afterwards for a break in Ayia Napa with his missus, He's still going on about the bloody Carol Vorderman non-story though, in fact he was telling everyone how pleased he would be if Carol showed up at one of our home games. Crazy lad. The others that shone were Andrew Ferguson, Craig Briers, Ben Mitchell and Jack Graham.

With the first of six pre-season friendlies this Saturday at Greenisland, I have decided that the side which will take to the field is going to be a predominantly young squad with a smattering of first teamers. They will be probably a number of reserve team and youth teamers who will be making the bulk of the 22-man squad. Each half will have a different side fielded which means I will make a full squad change at half time. Four other players will be on hand to cover for unexpected circumstances such an injury or a red card but ideally it won't come to either.

We've had the season long loan for the experienced left back accepted by Ards so I'm just waiting to ratify it if the other loan signing wants to come or not before sealing the deal with the Ards lad. I've also got season-long loan deals in the pipeline for a couple of promising strikers in the Premiership. Hopefully we can have a decent window. However young central defender Joel Moore is attracting attention and I'm hoping he decides to stay as he's got a bit about him and could be just as good as “Fergie” in a few seasons. But if he goes, so be it.

On the eve of that friendly, Jake Moore has decided to leave us for Championship side Knockbreda who have a former player of ours in the shape of Raul Zabrauteanu in their reserves. Good luck Jake, even though I was hoping to use you more this season than last. And finally divisional rivals Limavady United have tried to sign vice-captain Briers as well as free agent winger Ryan Whiteside who is an exceptional player that I wouldn't mind signing either. If only he would lower his demands then I'm sure we would have a deal over the line.

See you at Greenisland tomorrow…

2024-2025 Season: Blowing off the cobwebs… - Volume 2 Chapter 6

So after a week's training under their collective belts, we headed to Greenisland for our first pre-season outing of the new campaign. For those who don't know where Greenisland is, well it's a small town of just under 5500 people and is located 7 miles north-east of Belfast, however the largest town close by is Carrick(fergus) which is 3 miles to its south-west. Their local side, our opponents, play in the sixth tier of the league structure but have an established link with Purple Bricks FC aka Premiership Champions Larne. Their history has produced five full internationals for the wee country in the shape of the Evans brothers (Jonny and Corry), Craig Cathcart, Michael Smith and most recently: Dale Taylor. If only we could develop such a link…

As decided earlier in the week, we opted to go with a mixture of first team players, reserves and youth teamers. Quite the variation. The team for the first half was named as follows in our now customary 4-4-2:  Dalzell; Briers ©, Mitchell, McKeown, King; Porter, Madine, Sousa, Morrow; Doyle, Olofsson.

Glenkeen Avenue, Carrickfergus

Attendance: 32 (16 away)

A comfortable win for us in the first pre-season outing which was underpinned by a very strong first half performance. We had the chance to open our pre-season account when we were awarded a penalty in just the 10th minute when winger Aaron Porter was fouled by Dean Glenholmes with a heavy challenge in the area; leaving referee Louise Thompson with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Young striker Billy Olofsson stepped up to take the penalty kick when nobody else fancied it but Roy Heatley made a comfortable save to his left. The deadlock was broken though in the 21st minute when a deep cross to the far post by Craig Briers was met by a header across Heatley and into the far corner by Sam Morrow. We added a second eight minutes later when last season's top scorer Jonathan Doyle played a nice one-two with Ethan Sousa before cutting inside and drilling a low effort under Heatley and into the opposite bottom corner.

A third came in the 41st minute, a curling cross from Aaron Porter was met by a second header from Morrow with Heatley rooted to the spot. 3-0 at the break and cue for us to send out a complete changed line up for the second 45 as per the plan. The team for the second half was therefore and again playing 4-4-2: McLaughlin; Cullen, Wadham, Murphy, Butt; Reynolds, Wilson ©, Farren, Machado; Akassou, Stewart. We created plenty of opportunities again but surprisingly only one would hit the net when 16 year old right back John Cullen swung in a cross which was met by a powerful header into the net from Alexandre Machado. Greenisland scored a consolation two minutes from time when Steve Jones' cross was turned in at the near post past Nigel McLaughlin by Michael Hughes. A good workout, and a winning one at that. 

After the game, teenage central defender Joel Moore announced that he would be leaving us, He has taken up an opportunity to sign for Carrick-based side Barn United who are in the fifth tier of the league structure. Meanwhile, one player that is staying put is vice-captain Briers who has snubbed Limavady United's approach to transfer there. With Mark McCullagh now retired, there's a real chance that he can make that right-back spot his own unless we can source an upgrade. Ken had an announcement of his own, and that was to confirm that we had set up an arrangement with Dunmurry Recreation FC who play in a division below us at present. We're off and running, and that's the main thing.

2024-2025 Season: Preparations continue… - Volume 2 Chapter 7

After that pleasing outcome in the first pre-season outing, it was time to prepare for the second one. I mean, the only real grumble of sorts was the concession of a late goal to ensure clean sheets in both halves but that is what it is. Anyway, the second game would be against Tandragree Rovers on Saturday. The thing about Northern Ireland though is that what look like small journeys on a map, well they can be long and arduous ones in reality…just saying! We know that getting these matches will benefit us when the big kick off happens in about five or six weeks time.

Of course, there will be matches when do we don't play half and half football but the more practice players get with team-mates then hopefully we will have gelled as one. If I want to personally achieve promotion then this is a given. However, we will probably half and half again with maybe this time see us field something like a first team squad in the first 45 and then use some of the reserves and youngsters in the second 45. Show that we are taking the friendly rather seriously.

We only have a couple of players under contract anyway, that being “Fergie” Ferguson and Jordan O'Brien who also is our goalkeeping coach. Signing players and on a contract is hard when you have very wriggle room in finances and that's because Ken wants to keep the Club as it is. Wonder how he'd react if we did actually get promoted? God forbid, he'd get himself into a right tizzy so he would. That's why getting players in is absurdly difficult because we can't meet their requirements for appearance fees and bonuses. This is also why yet another target has fallen by the wayside, this time 20 year old right back Joe Curran who was previously with Derry City, Coleraine and Newry City: Curran has signed for Cain Stewart's old team HW Welders.

There's still however a hope that Ryan Whiteside could join us as he's turned down Limavady United. Now Ryan, please be reasonable with your demands and I'm you will be welcomed to the fold here. Just don't be greedy as…

As planned in the middle of the week we decided to field a strong side for the opening 45, and for some it was a good chance to see how well each plays alongside the other. So the team for the first half read as follows: Magill; Briers, Ferguson, Graham, Annett; Machado, Wilson ©, Sousa, Morrow; Doyle, Akassou. Therefore it's a new look central midfield partnership of skipper Johnny Wilson and gifted 18 year old Ethan Sousa, likewise a new strike force of Jonathan Doyle and Ivorian Éric Akassou who should provide us with an aerial presence that all teams need from time to time.

Madden Park, Tandragree

Attendance: 16 (2 away)

Two pre-season matches and two pre-season wins under our belts. Whilst to be fair, pre-season results mean nothing in the final analysism you can't actually beat that winning feeling when you come across it. It took us just three minutes to open the scoring in the County Armagh town of Tandragree which is more famous for a motorcycle race every April when a corner was cleared out to Doyle who burst down the right before picking new striker Akassou to plant a free header past Andy Blair in the home goal. Two goals in three minutes had the game sealed up and with only 19 minutes gone. First of all, Sousa spun on the proverbial sixpence from a Zach Annett pass before smashing one top bins, and then after Liam Lavery fouled Alexandre Machado: Ferguson placed a perfect penalty into the bottom corner. 

We could have more in that first half such was our dominance with the xG in excess of 3.00. However, the lads were given a good round of appreciation at the break, we had certainly shown that we were to show why we are the higher ranked side. So that challenge was set with a fresh eleven out for second 45 and with central defender Louis McKeown taking the captain's armband from Johnny Wilson. Second half team reading as: O'Brien; Cullen, Mitchell, McKeown ©, Butt; Hill, Madine, Blackstock, Bekman; Stewart, Farren. Players on standby: T.Gordon, Reynolds, Lyttle, King. Could the second string be just as good if not better? 

Goal number four arrived in the 61st minute when an excellent left wing cross from teen Jursten Bekman picked out Sean Hill at the far post to crash a sweet volley into the roof of the net. The nap hand was complete though nine minutes from time with probably the pick of the bunch, Owen Madine cutting inside after his corner had been cleared back to him and the midfielder steered a shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner. Delicious. Another great performance from all the boys who featured, and a clean sheet this time. Next game next Saturday as Shankill United welcome us, can we make it three from three?

Off pitch, we completed the season-long loan signings of left back Connor Maxwell from Ards, and striker David Taylor from Ballymena United. Both will provide very good depth in the squad. Might have to shift one methinks. Whiteside still remains on the radar, however.

Good write ups as always mate

2024-2025 Season: Maintaining the tempo - Volume 2 Chapter 8

Two pre-season matches completed, and two pre-season wins. Can't ask for anything better than this, and especially with no injuries to anyone to deal with. Obviously this is not going to last forever, nothing does. However, the players are giving yours truly a bit of headache but it's a good headache to have: the headache of who to pick in the starting eleven when the real deal of the regular season starts up.

24 hours after the Tandagree friendly, we were back in the transfer market looking for more reinforcements and depth to the squad. We added another loan striker first of all, in the shape of Dungannon Swifts teenager Jay McDowell. McDowell, 18, made his senior debut for the Swifts in their last game of the season just finished against Carrick Rangers. He is on loan for the season, just like other loan signings David Taylor of Ballymena United and Connor Maxwell of Ards. We offered trials to three players, two of which have been taken up. Joining the Club for a three week trial apiece are Callum McVeigh and Shaun Leppard. McVeigh, 21, was recently at Knockbreda until released at the end of season and can play either central midfield or the left hand side of defence and midfield. Leppard, who the lads have already nicknamed “Def” after the band, is an imposing 24 year old central defender (he's 6'3 in height) who has spent his entire career at Institute where Alexandre Machado was a team-mate.

We did offer a trial too for another central defender, 24 year old Kyle Calderwood who was recently at Ards like Maxwell and came through the youth scheme at Crusaders. He is currently mulling over offers as it stands from Newington and Limavady United with Portstewart also apparently also showing an interest in him.

Tuesday saw a departure, and probably one of the first of many in the weeks aheady as we probably look to trim the squad. Leaving The Dub is 21 year old Jon Birnie who has joined Dunmurry Young Men FC under freedom of contract. The former Queens University and Dungannon Swifts defender did not make an appearance for us last season.

Saturday means pre-season friendly number three, Once more we will be playing different line ups in each half with again four players on the periphery should circumstances dictate. The first half XI was follows: Dalzell, Briers ©, Logan, B Gordon, Maxwell; Morrow, Madine, Cochrane, McVeigh; Farren, McDowell. This means that only Craig Briers and Sam Morrow retained their places from last week's starting eleven. Triallist Callum McVeigh started on the left hand of midfield as he bids to earn a permanent deal with us. Could the much changed line up again produce a first half as dazzling as last week's?

Hammer Playing Fields, Belfast

Attendance: 61 (48 away)

A tale of two halves it has to be said is the story pre-season friendly number three as we continue that winning feeling. Captained in the first half by club vice-captain Craig Briers, we made the ideal start with a goal in 55 seconds. With the rain falling, Owen Madine's well flighted corner was by a thumping header into the roof of the net from Ben Gordon. However despite the early strike, we failed to add to it as we only managed four shots on target in those 45 minutes from 20 efforts. So a fresh line up for the second 45, that being MacFarlane; Murphy, Leppard, Mitchell, Annett; Reynolds, Wilson, Hanna, MacDonald; Taylor, T Gordon. Players on stand-by: Stewart, McConkey, King, Lyttle. Like fellow triallist McVeigh, centre half Shaun “Def” Leppard was given a 45 minute run out in his first game whilst on a similar three week trial. Could he also impress us?

With the score still showing at 0-1 just after the hour, we needed a spark and a goal to justify our control of the game. That second goal arrived in the 63rd minute and it was to be the first of three in 12 minutes to hit the back of the Shankill United net. John-Joe MacDonald made progress down the left wing before tucking the ball inside to skipper Johnny Wilson who curled an effort, via a slight deflection, into the bottom left hand corner and out of the reach of Shankill's substitute custodian Kevin McCashin. Six minutes later, the game was made well and truly safe when Thomas Gordon spotted the run of MacDonald who cut inside to curl in a beautiful effort into the same bottom left hand corner that his skipper had done. A superb effort. The scoring was complete with quarter of an hour to go when Daniel Reynolds' long range effort was diverted into the net by “Def” Leppard for 0-4, giving McCashin no chance whatsoever.

So another clean sheet, and it's now 13 goals in three matches for the boys: proving that this 4-4-2 system is definitely the way forwards for us at the moment. Of the two triallists, both had very good games and have certainly given me food for thought so far at this early stage about adding them to the squad. Can they maintain it?

Next up, the first of two midweek games on Tuesday as we travel to the Grosvenor Recreation Centre in West Belfast where Immaculata lie in wait. Four out of four, perhaps? Would be nice…

2024-2025 Season: A pre-season experiment in the offing - Volume 2 Chapter 9

So we have a very quick turnaround following the 4-0 away win at Shankill United in pre-season friendly number three. Pre-season friendly number four, and the last one on the road, comes around pretty quickly: in 72 hours to be precise. Our next opponent in the pre-season are Immaculata FC, who play their home games at the Grosvenor Recreation Centre in West Belfast. Their ground is just off the main Grosvenor Road which starts in the City Centre and reaches it's end with the Royal Victoria Hospital on your left and the notable Falls area. The kind of area where it would not be advisable to walk around with a Rangers shirt in the same breath as it wouldn't be advisable to wear Celtic colours in the Ballymacash area of Lisburn. Period.

Anyway their home pitch is a pitch that I have experience of, having played sixes or sevens on it. Of course, we didn't play on the full pitch for the sixes or sevens game, just a part of it as you would be absolutely paggered if you played full pitch for such a game. Finer details. I have made an executive decision though for this friendly, and it will be either an absolute masterstroke or one that will literally blow up in my face and I'll be proverbially wiping egg from said visage. But I think it's wholly justified.

What's the executive decision then? Well, I'm giving the entire first team the night off bar the two guys that we have taken on trial. The first 45 will feature a reserve ream squad, whilst the second 45 will be a squad made of all the youth players including the stand-by players. A huge call you might say but the lads wanted a match situation where they were all as one and this is it. It will give them valuable experience for sure, and I know full well that it might mean that we might not still have a 100 per cent record in pre-season afterwards. The first team as a result are going to get 60-odd minutes in the two home friendlies that follow afterwards, so there is a method in my madness. My call, and I don't honestly care if anyone thinks I'm being crazy. All football managers are that bit batsh*t crazy, and I'm no exception to the rule!

Six of our squad at the moment are attracting the attentions of other sides. Since all have no official contracts with us, they could all sign for anyone else and we would not get a penny in transfer fees.

Jonah Magill (GK): Attracting the attention of Divisional rival Limavady United

Ben Mitchell (D C): Attracting the attention of Divisional rivals Armagh City and Portstewart

Shaun Leppard (D C): Currently on trial with us, attracting the attention of Divisional rival Portstewart

Louis Blackstock (M C): Attracting the attention of Divisional rival Portstewart

Callum McVeigh (M C / DML): Currently on trial with us, attracting the attention of Divisional rival Armagh City

Jonathan Doyle (ST C): Attracting the attention of Divisional rival Queens University

2024-2025 Season: Not so Immaculata under the lights - Volume 2 Chapter 10

As I pulled into the car park at the Grosvenor Recreation Centre, I was asked about my planned team selection. Fans had heard what I was planning, and one or two of them thought it April 1st come early. I shook my head, and said to them all: “Yeah, it's true. You want to see the future for us? Well tonight you will get a glimpse of it, as I have some high hopes for a few of these youngsters and I want to give them a decent run out."

I was not going to back down, if I did then it would be grossly unfair to said youngsters having told them all in training just 24 hours previous. 

I knew nothing about our hosts, absolutely nothing bar knowing that their player-manager Brian McCaul had played in the top division here with Linfield, Glenavon, Ballymena United and Carrick Rangers. The rest of their squad were what they term, unknown quantities. In the absence of both the club captain and club vice-captain, left back Mohammad Butt took the armband for the first 45. The starting eleven in full read as follows: Dalzell; Millar-Wilson, Leppard, Lyttle, Butt ©; Stewart, Blackstock, McVeigh, MacDonald; McDowell, Taylor. The line up would see both trailists get another half to see if they could still impress me enough whilst the strike force was a youthful one of our Premiership loan signings: David Taylor of Ballymena United and Jay McDowell of Dungannon Swifts. Could we come away with a fourth pre-season win in as many games? We'd soon find out.

Grosvenor Recreation Centre, Belfast

Attendance: 61 (30 away)

So we slipped to defeat for the first time in four pre-season matches, and that's the headline you can write. However, I have never believed anything can be determined by how your pre-season goes. That's the truth, and any football manager will tell you the same. As for the experiment, well I was quite content with its outcome to be honest as the kids acquitted themselves and didn't look too overawed at all. The statistics will say that we edged the possession but every other category, we were streets ahead but that means nothing, nada, if you don't take the chances presented. The hosts took the lead just before the half hour when a deft touch from McCaul fed Sean McGrandles who spun away from both Callum McVeigh and Bradley Lyttle to place a shot past the advancing Ryan Dalzell. It had come against the run of play for sure. They landed a second sucker punch a minute before the break when Jay Southam's weighted pass caught us dawdling and McCaul tucked it home.

Safe to say I wasn't too happy with the score at the break and let my feelings known before sending the kids for the second half. We should have put them out of sight in that half, pure and simple. Anyway the eleven youth starlets taking the field for the second 45 were as follows: McLaughlin; Cullen, Murphy, Wadham, King; Jefferies, Gregg, Smyth, Bekman; Boyd-Munce ©, Olofsson. The stand-by four were named as: McCormack, Short, Porter and T Gordon. And there was almost an immediate impact, Boyd-Munce firing just over from the edge of the area with the Immaculata goalkeeper grasping at thin air. The second half was a bit more even than the first and I just knew we would get a goal, which came 20 minutes from the end when a low cross from Boyd-Munce was steered into the far corner by Swede Billy Olofsson; a real poacher's finish. Extra IKEA meatballs for you son right now. However with us pushing for 2-2, they scored a third with two  minutes left on the clock when Ryan Carr stood up a cross to the back post where Bill McAlorum had peeled away to place a header past Nigel McLaughlin.

As for the traillists, both “Def” Leppard and McVeigh had steady matches albeit not as sparkling as they were at Shankill United 72 hours ago. Both loan signings were quiet but I'm confident they will be better once they have more match time under their respective belts. No need to panic folks!

2024-2025 Season: We never stop… - Volume 2 Chapter 11

were the words from Ange Postecoglou when questioned about his Celtic's side mentality in games and I get that completely. He's absolutely bang on the proverbial money for sure is the Antipodean manager of Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Anyway one thing that we learned from that loss in pre-season to Immaculata, was that some of the reserves are simply not good enough at all for a club like us. Therefore it might be an idea to cull some names as they are just going to sit in the second string line up until we decide to get rid or they decide to retire. As the majority are also not under contract then we probably could even not be affected in terms of compensation as we only have two players under a contract overall:  Jordan O'Brien and Andrew Ferguson respectively. Ideally we want cover in every position possible from goalkeeper to striker but in some areas I now think we are overstocked and it's time to let go.

There's going to be a few tough conversations to be had before the season begins…

Fast forwards 36 hours after the game now, we received a notification that Ryan McLaughlan has been offered a chance to play for either Abbey Villa or Downpatrick in the season ahead. Both would represent steps down in the playing pyramid for Ryan but it's hard to see where I can fit him in under our current set up. He's one of those that is a position that has so much competition for just two places, central midfield. He could easily turn down both and stay on non-contract terms with us but we shall see what happens. The former Glentoran youngster joined us in January 2022 and has made 31 appearances for us since then, scoring just the once. One of the players recommended last season has received a contract offer, talented Welsh midfielder Joseph Doyle, he would be an upgrade for us in said midfield role but the last time we offered terms: his demands were too high for what we can offer. Blame Ken.

Ryan McLaughlan did not waste any time in deciding what to do, give him credit for that. He's decided to drop down to the reaches of the Newcastle and District Amateur Football League or NADAFL for short which is way below our level. But good luck to him. The same day saw us pick up our first pre-season injury and it's one key player that's going to be absent for a couple of weeks at least. Midfielder Owen Madine, yes he of the long range screamers, has pulled a thigh muscle in training today. That means he will probably miss the last couple of pre-season matches and then we need to get him back match fit for the start of the season. He made a real positive impact alongside Johnny Wilson since arriving from Dundela in January. 

Another player that could be out of the exit door is Shaun “Def” Leppard. The on-trial central defender has been offered terms by our Divisional counterparts Rathfriland Rangers and is mulling it over. We've offered what we can realistically pay out, but something tells me that we're going to see the last of “Def” probably before his trial runs out on 18 August.

One player that definitely won't be coming to The Dub is former Ards central defender Kyle Calderwood.  Calderwood, 24, who came through the Crusaders schoolboy and youth schemes had decided not to come on trial to us at the same time as Leppard and Callum McVeigh: preferring to seek a permanent transfer elsewhere. The defender, who had been also interesting Limavady United, has chosen to sign for newly-relegated Newington. Obviously they had the funds to meet his demands as regards appearance fees and bonuses. Meanwhile, our first choice goalkeeper Jonah Magill is a transfer target for Limavady, and we're naturally hoping that he will reject their advances and stay with us. Who would want to join Limavady anyway?

Finally, we had the draw for the Second Round proper of this season's Bet McLean League Cup on Sunday afternoon. Last season, we were unlucky to draw Premiership side Crusaders at Seaview where they would defeat us 2-0. Could we get a more favourable draw this time out?

Well damn, we got an away trip to the Premiership Champions Purple Bricks FC. One can only hope that they field a weakened side against us and/or go very gentle on our lads. Either way, looks like an early exit again for us. The pick of the Second Round ties is a repeat of last season's Final where Coleraine host current holders Cliftonville. Our tie at Inver Park will be played on the evening of the first Tuesday in September.

2024-2025 Season: Thriller under the lights whilst there's more movement - Volume 2 Chapter 12

We geared up for the first pre-season game with no further additions to the treatment room for Head Physio Martyn McCarthy to deal with apart from Owen Madine who is recovering from his pulled thigh muscle sustained in training last Friday. Kyle (McDowell) felt that we should be giving a go again to the fringe players. But I was adamant that I needed to see my first teamers in action ahead of the big kick off which was only 11 days away. There would be options for wholesale changes in every position should I need it on the bench but we were still going with virtually a full strength side.

This match would probably feature long running transfer target Ryan Whiteside in direct opposition to us. Unfortunately for us, he's still not dropped his demands meaning the deal is a long way from being completed. I had that feeling in my water he was going to be at the heart of everything that Crewe United, our opponents, would generate. But then again he might have a stinker, right?

So we decided to name the following squad for this friendly: Magill; Briers, Ferguson, McKeown, Maxwell; Machado, Sousa, Wilson ©, McVeigh; Doyle, Akassou. Substitutes: Cullen, Dalzell, Reynolds, Farren, Morrow, Leppard, MacDonald, McConkey, Annett, Blackstock, Graham, Mitchell, Porter, Hill, Taylor. The biggest dilemma I faced was whether to start “Def” Leppard alongside “Fergie” (Andrew Ferguson) or stick with the partnership that served us for the majority of the second half of last season. I gave skipper Johnny Wilson a more advanced midfield role with talented Portuguese teen Ethan Sousa in a Mezzala-type role since he appears to have the attributes to do so. Last season's top scorer Jonathan Doyle and experienced Ivorian Éric Akassou led the strike force again.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 38 (13 away)

So we garnered our fourth pre-season win in five with a thrilling win over Crewe United under The Dub's floodlights. It was a game that saw both teams put on a thrilling spectacle considering it was just a pre-season run out. After a slow beginning from us, we changed the way we approached the way we were taking the game and that change led us taking the lead ten minutes before half time. A wonderful ball inside the full back from Sousa sent Alexandre Machado away down the right, and from his pull back skipper Wilson was on hand to pick his spot from just outside the six yard box. The lead only lasted four minutes though as the visitors drew level when a well worked move was finished with a thunderous finish from Tunisian midfielder Mohamed Ayari. However, the game would really open up in the second 45.

We were just two minutes into the second half when we regained the lead. A Doyle pass just inside the Crewe United half picked out Machado who ran at the defence in typical fashion, and then as everyone expected a low cross into the danger area: the winger cut inside before angling a low shot across Matthew Williamson and into the far corner. But the visitors were back on terms again within four minutes, Whiteside weighting a fine pass into half time substitute Liam Martin who thumped one into the corner. We made a raft of changes just after the hour, one of them being the introduction of Sam Morrow for Machado on the right wing: we're so blessed to have quality wingers here that fit into the system we've now decided as our number one tactic.

It was 3-2 with 19 minutes to go when we took the lead for a third time. Substitute Louis Blackstock was upended 25 yards out, and Morrow stepped up brilliantly to curl it home via a helpful deflection into the bottom corner with Williamson unmoved. Six minutes added-on time were allocated as we looked to see the game out, and in the first of them Crewe made it 3-3, Whiteside with another reminder of why I want to sign him as he produced a confident finish in the far corner past Ryan Dalzell under pressure from Craig Briers. Would we have any more drama? You bet you life we had some as we grabbed a winner in the fourth minute of that time added on. Zach Annett was the architect of it with a curling cross that Morrow connected with a glancing header into the corner to spark elation and a Mourinhoesque style sprint down the sideline by yours truly in celebration. Now breathe.

After the game, whilst we were enjoying a pint, Jonah Magill announced to us all that tonight was his farewell as he had chosen to accept the terms offered to him late last week from Limavady United much to our undoubted disappointment. As much as we were hoping he'd reject the Roesiders, we knew all too well that if he had decided to accept then we'd have no chance to stop the move since he's on an amateur contract. 48 hours later, it was a case of one in and one out. Leaving the squad was “Def” Leppard himself as he chose to join Rathfriland Rangers as opposed to staying with us after the conclusion of his trial. However, converting his trial into a permanent deal is Callum McVeigh whose versatility was a major factor for us to bring him. With this, we will be letting some players go once the final friendly against Stirling University Reserves has concluded on Saturday. 

Ahead of that final friendly, BBC Radio Ulster broadcasted the draw for the Second Round of the Steel and Sons Cup. Who would our defence start with?

Our defence begins at Tarsan Lane, Portadown as Mid-Ulster Football League Intermediate A side Seagoe host us. They are in the same division as Tuesday pre-season opponents Crewe United, who pushed us all the way, so it's got the potential banana skin written all over it. The Steel and Sons Cup match is our season opener on 24 August; just a week away. We will be taking it seriously indeed.

First things first, let's get that final pre-season friendly out of the way. Then it's all systems go for the start of the season.

2024-2025 Season: Preparations are complete.. - Volume 2 Chapter 13

Eleven days separate us from the start of season number two, where we are hoping to build on what we achieved last season: a sixth placed league finish and teh capture of the Steel and Sons Cup to The Dub for the first time since 1993,; 30 years in the making! That's not a bad effort all considered when you look at the fact we can't afford to attract the best there is available and we were actually expected to finish bottom of the pile by all the pundits. As I've said plenty of times beforehand, I attest last season's improvement down to one thing: changing the formation from 4-3-3 to a an attacking 4-4-2 with proper wingers in place. Now the only thing we need to do is to use last season's effort as a springboard if we want to really kick onto the next level.

The loss of Jonah Magill to Limavady United had an effect, so much so that Owen Madine asked me what I was going to do about it as he felt we lacked depth in that particular. Obviously Ryan Dalzell is now firmly ensconced as our number one but Aaron Macfarlane and Jordan O'Brien aren't of the same level as what Ryan is. Jordan (O'Brien) is our specialised coach for goalkeepers anyway so of the two I would have him as back up to Ryan than Aaron but I told Owen I would be looking to get in a keeper in on loan for the season with no financial contribution needed from us. He seemed happy about that, so we left it at that.

Talking about transfers, after training on Wednesday skipper Johnny Wilson received an offer from Armagh City to join them. To lose such an inspirational part of the squad in your club captain would be demoralising indeed, and really damage the morale. So I had a few words with the “skip” to try and convince him that staying with us would be better and to rebuff Armagh. Director of Football Callum (McGuigan) weighed in with his two pence worth but would our efforts be in vain? Johnny said he would take his time over of a final decision. Sounds ominous doesn't it?

Anyway, we prepared as normal for the final friendly as we welcomed the second string of the University of Stirling to The Dub. Once more I was going with a rather strong side with a few changes from the side that started in midweek. We went with the following: Dalzell; Briers, Ferguson, McKeown, McVeigh; Machado, Sousa, Wilson ©; Morrow; Doyle, Taylor - which was a total of three changes. Newly established first choice keeper Dalzell in between the posts, McVeigh moving from left wing to left back such is his versatile nature to allow Sam Morrow to come on that wing whilst Ballymena United loanee striker David Taylor partnered Jonathan Doyle up front. Our substitutes this afternoon were: Cullen, O'Brien, Reynolds, Farrem, Maxwell, Hill, MacDonald, McConkey, Annett, Blackstock, Graham, Logan, Porter, Stewart, Akassou. Could we finish our pre-season with a fifth win in six?

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 30 (no away fans)

We rounded off pre-season in the same way that we started it, with a win to finish with a very creditable five wins from a possible six. All the goals came inside the opening half hour but both teams could have added to their tallies in quite an entertaining game. The match was just seven minutes old when we opened the scoring thanks to some quick thinking by the skipper. It all emanated from a wicked curling cross from Craig Briers that was pushed out by Sam Brass straight to Wilson who had just one thought: smash it back into the unguarded net from around the penalty spot!  The only way to deal with those kind of opportunities when they are placed in front of you. The Students levelled though four minutes later, and there was nothing we could do but admire as Ben Woloszyn lashed one into the top corner from fully 25 yards out. An incredible strike, and one that no keeper would have gotten anywhere near never mind our own Ryan Dalzell.

Two goals in four minutes just after the halfway point of the game put us into a comfortable position. First in the 24th minute, Wilson bagged his and our second from an identical spot to his first after Briers and midfield partner Ethan Sousa had worked the chance out for him. He certainly seems to be revelling in his new role. Then four minutes later it was 3-1 when Sousa weighted another glorious pass inside the left back for Alexandre Machado to run onto and finsh with a powerful effort into the top corner. Callum McVeigh had a free-kick from distance go just inches wide of the target as we tried for a fourth whilst at the other end of the pitch Dalzell denied Woloszyn a second of his own with a brilliant save around the post from a long range free kick of his own.

All in all a decent workout with the skipper firmly leading by example. But would he remain in our jersey for next week's big kick-off? He was saying nothing about it in the Clubhouse post-game and still nothing as he left the surroundings of The Dub on Saturday evening.

2024-2025 Season: Ready for the big kick-off, the real thing is here - Volume 2 Chapter 14

We're in the final week of pre-season, and the season begins on Saturday afternoon. Nine months of highs and lows await us.

It's also the second season of my reign here and I'm keen to get going, I really want to ideally get out of this division if I can this season so I can ideally move forwards with my own personal vision. But it won't be easy again, and the media experts out there have predicted us to finish 13th this season. I suppose that's an improvement as they had us to finish 14th and dead last in 2023-24. But they think they know us better than we do ourselves> Knockbreda and Newington are freshly relegated from the Championship, with the latter predicted to take the title. Then there's Queens, Armagh City and Distillery whom they think will have decent seasons too. 

Who will succeed Dollingstown as Intermediate League Champions?

Ahead of the season start, one of the principal tasks is to name the Club Captain and Vice-Captain for the new campaign. It was an absolute no-brainer when I informed Johnny Wilson and Craig Briers that I wanted both to remain in those roles. By saying this, I was hoping Johnny would re-affirm his commitment to the Club but still he said nothing. Talk about leaving us on edge…

As we awaited his decision, Owen Madine could be on the move himself. The 20 year old, recently recovered from a pulled thigh muscle, is attracting attention from clubs and I've been warned that there could be some definite interest ignited soon. Should Johnny leave, I will be looking to him to step up and fill the void alongside Ethan Sousa.  Midweek came, and after training Johnny asked me if he could see me in my opinion. I sighed, and agreed, he had made his call after a week or so's deliberating:

“Gaffer, I've made my decision.” Johnny said.

“Sure, I appreciate you telling me. You certainly mulled it over for a while didn't you?” I replied, cautiously.

“I did. I spoke with my family, my fiancée….it was a real tough call to make. But I'm at peace with my decision now."

“And?”

“Gaffer. Gaffer, do me a favour and pass me that blooming pen. I'm staying here!”

“You're staying?”

“Yeah I'm staying, and the reason why I'm staying…YOU! You have made such a difference since you arrived and I, like a lot of the players, consider you a top gadgie and I want to help this club get even better under your stewardship. Now where's that bleeding pen!”

“Oh, here it is. Thank you for believing in me and the Club. We might not be Real Madrid but we got a spirit to work as one.”

“Damn straight we have.”

And at that point, Johnny signed on for the new season. Whilst he was doing that, Kyle was ushering in a new face through the door.

“Johnny after you've finished that, I would like you to formally meet Paddy Hoskins. Paddy's joined us on loan for the season ahead from Newry City of the Premiership. He'll be backing up Ryan (Dalzell).”

“Welcome mate, welcome to The Dub. This will be a good learning move for you.”

Paddy just smiled., a fresh faced 18 year old who has come through his hometown club's schoolboy system to be given a semi-professional deal last season. At 6'4 he certainly has the height for a keeper but could he oust Ryan Dalzell as our number one and become the new Pat Jennings who hails from the same city. Whilst I am not expecting him to walk straight into the side, I hope that he alleviates the concern that Owen Madine had about the lack of goalkeeping depth earlier in the week. Talking about Madine again, he's been offered the chance to move to Bangor (Reserves) as we tied things up for the week and got ourselves for the trip to Portadown and the start of the Steel and Sons Cup against Seagoe. They can expect us to field a very strong side, we don't want to be the victims of a giant killing whatsoever.

Full steam ahead!

2024-2025 Season: Six of the best on the opening day - Volume 2 Chapter 15

The wait is over, we are into season two with Northern Irish semi-professional (as they are at present) side PSNI FC. After a decent 2023-2024 campaign where we finished a creditable 6th out of 14, despite being touted by pundits alike that we'd finish bottom, and bagged the Steel and Sons Cup for the only second time in the Club's 67 year history.

We start the season in earnest with the defence of said Steel and Sons Cup, before starting our league campaign 72 hours later at home to Portstewart. We're predicted again to have another low finishing position, 13th this time out.  Wouldn't it be nice to prove them pundits wrong once more?

With no injuries to deal with in Martin McCarthy's treatment room, we have a fully fit squad to choose from on opening day. Therefore we have some tough calls to make in some crucial positions such as left back, central midfield, left wing and second striker. It has to be said that the bookmakers aren't expecting us to suffer an early exit though as we have been tagged as 4-5 favourites to advance into round three. Seagoe are 3-1 to surprise us, whilst it's 11-4 if you think that the teams will be drawing at 90 minutes. The tie has to be settled today, with extra time and penalties on the menu should they be needed. We have to have a winner,

Tarsan Park, Portadown

Attendance: 77 (1 away)

It was a tough set of decisions to make for the opening game of the season. We have handed four debuts in the starting eleven with another three potentially on the bench should they be called upon. Probably the hardest decision was to decide who would partner skipper Johnny Wilson in centre midfield; Owen (Madine) was a revelation in the second part of the season but has just recently returned to training following a pulled thigh muscle injury, while Ethan (Sousa) has shown why we were so keen to bring him to the Dub. Seagoe are captained by former Linfield youth team prospect Jack Johnston with former Loughgall man Casey Finlay deployed in a holding role in front of the back four.

In fact it was Finlay who handed the home side a shock lead after just three minutes when he headed home powerfully from a Mark Hughes, no not “Sparky”, corner which had too much on it for Craig Briers to clear off the line. Shaken by conceding so early into the season, the lads responded with a performance befitting of a Cup holder as they scored five unanswered goals in 50 minutes to dash any giant killing hopes. The equaliser for 1-1 came in the 19th minute when a Briers cross was headed away by Jordan Kirk as far as left back Callum McVeigh who took a touch before smashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Three more arrived in the ten minutes before half time to put us into an unassailable 4-1 lead.

In the 35th minute we were awarded a penalty when Jonathan Doyle was baulked in the area by Brendan Ferguson as he looked to latch onto the rebound from a shot created by a terrific run from Briers that took him from midway in his own half to the Seagoe penalty area. Up stepped Andrew Ferguson to send Johnston the wrong way from twelve yards. Four minutes later it was 3-1 to us when Doyle passed infield to Wilson who fizzed one home from distance, and then on the stroke of half time we had our fourth when Alexandre Machado teed up last season's top scorer Doyle to side foot home. It would be the first of three assists for the Portuguese winger on the day.

Goal number five arrived in the 69th minute when Machado picked out Wilson to score his second of the afternoon with a fierce shot past Johnston at the keeper's near post. In the 78th minute, we thought we had a sixth when Machado found teenage substitute David Taylor, on loan from Ballymena United, who converted from six yards but an offside flag denied him a debut goal. Ten minutes from time, Seagoe had a second when Hughes converted a penalty for them after McVeigh had clattered Johnny Lucas in the penalty area. We completed the scoring in the 82nd minute when Machado supplied Doyle to score his second with Johnston once again beaten at his near post.

Man of the Match beers went to our Portuguese wing wizard Alexandre Machado who provided three assists from the six goals that we scored this afternoon, and he could have had more. He was the heartbeat of everything good, whether he plays on the right wing or the left. The media awarded him a faultless 10/10 performance as you can see, something that is only awarded for exceptional performances and he was definitely exceptional against Seagoe. Some start to the season.

The match stats were as follows, with our xG being phenomenal. It's probably the highest we have had in the 13, almost 14, months we have been in charge. Hopefully it's a good indicator for the season ahead.

2024-2025 Season: Preparing for the midweek - Volume 2 Chapter 16

It was a really good feeling to start the new season with a win, and a comprehensive one at that. No disrespect to Seagoe, who gave a good account for themselves, but we could have easily hit double figures against them but I reckon the sole away supporter in Tarsan Park was happy he or she spent their Saturday afternoon watching us win so comprehensively.

As we made our way back, the Third Round draw of the Steel and Sons Cup was made live on BBC Radio Ulster's Sportsound programme. We were one of the first teams to be drawn out, and we're on our travels again as you can see:

Our opponents Malachians play in the fifth tier of the league structure, and naturally we will be expected to progress but we will not take it as a given. We're in a good place at the moment with a club record seven games unbeaten in this particular competition. Can we make it eight on that first Saturday in September. As the draw finished, I turned the radio off to see Owen Madine making his way down the bus in my direction. Madine had played the last half hour in Seagoe and remains a very important piece of my team jigsaw, but I was curious to know what he was after:

“Boss, can I grab a quick word please?” Owen asked.

“Sure thing Owen, take a seat. What's on your mind?” I replied.

“I've made a call about that Bangor offer I got the other week.”

“And?”

“I'm staying put. I like that Mezzala role, hope you can find a space for me in that role - I think I'll be good at it. Not one to blow my own personal trumpet but I think I'm better at it than Ethan )Sousa), I have more experience in that role than him.”

“That's great news you're committing yourself to our project. And we shall see what we can do. As you know, certain players are going to be sticky-ons in my team selections but apply yourself well and you never know when the team door might open up. Anything else on your mind?”

“No thanks boss, thanks for your time. I'll go back to my card game now.”

“OK Owen.”

So Owen (Madine) has decided to remain part of the project and has turned down Bangor Reserves' advances. However, now he's fully fit - he gives me a dilemma. Do I put him alongside the skipper or do I go with the gifted teen that is Ethan (Sousa) instead? Both can play the Mezzala role which I have created this season with great effect but I can't play both as it would mean either dropping the skipper (which is not an option) or a change in formation from the 4-4-2 which we have at present. Considering the move to 4-4-2 has been the catalyst for a positive change in our results, the latter is probably not going to happen as well. I might to have to alternate these two to try and keep them content. Easier said than done..

So Tuesday brings Portstewart to The Dub under the lights for our first league game of the season. To add spice to it, they've approached Louis McKeown to sign for them. Louis is currently the partner in crime in the heart of our back four for “Fergie” (Andrew Ferguson). Maybe he will decide after the game what he wants but naturally I want him to rebuff their approach.  It would be a shame for him to depart us. That said, if he goes then he goes…we have a plethora of options available to cover any absences in that position. I've been also looking at our fixture list, and this is how September looks for us:

But that's a few days away, can we start the league campaign with a tick in the W column? That's the plan.

2024-2025 Season: Portstewart put in their place - Volume 2 Chapter 17

Playing midweek saw the Lads ready for the start of the bread and the butter that is the league. With so many options now available in every position, it might be a case of rotation to try and keep everyone content. But having won the Steel and Sons Cup in 2023, surely Ken would be demanding that bit more from us? Surprisingly, he wasn't which was a shock to the established players such as Johnny Wilson and Andrew Ferguson as well as myself. Ken was wanting to avoid the drop, which raised the odd eyebrow or two, as well as being competitive in the four Cup competitions that we were in. Anything better would be an absolute bonus for all concerned, bar me as I wanted to win another Cup and ideally get promoted into the Championship.

With our second league match against Distillery at the weekend upcoming, there would be changes from Saturday. But how many is deemed enough? That's what is factoring into the matchday equations.

Of course we weren't going to underestimate Portstewart at all. The North Coast side embarrassed us at The Dub last season with midfielder Glenn Law scoring a hat-trick and I was determined not to have a repeat. They are under new management this season, with Johnny Lew (father of the aforementioned Glenn) having stepped down in the summer after almost six years in the role. His replacement? 36 year old Craig Harris in his first managerial gig. As a player Harris had spells at both Glenavon and Glentoran but was best known for his time at H&W Welders where he spent twelve seasons as a central midfielder over two spells. The bookies have made us 7-5 favourites to take the win tonight, with the Seahawks priced at 7-4 to repeat their win from last season and 5-2 for a draw. Tonight's referee is Jason Gillespie, and it's not the former Australian fast bowler if you did wonder. He refereed last season's Irish Cup Final won by Coleraine.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 96 (4 away)

After much deliberation, I decided to make three changes in all from the side that destroyed Seagoe in the Steel and Sons Cup on Saturday afternoon. There were full debuts for Connor Maxwell at left back and loanee David Taylor up front whilst Owen Madine was given a chance to showcase his skills in that Mezzala role. They replaced Ethan Sousa, Sam Morrow and Daniel Reynolds; Maxwell's inclusion encouraged Callum McVeigh to operate in a more advanced role on the left wing where he played so well in pre-season whilst on trial. Harris made a total of seven changes from the side that lost 1-0 on Saturday at home to Rathfriland Rangers in the League Cup First Round. Of those changes, there was a debut for Michael Leetch who is on loan from Championship side Ballyclare Comrades. Leetch is one of four newcomers this season: Ryan Morrow, Matthew Clements and Harry Evans being the others. They have lost influential midfielder Matthew Holloway to Bangor however.

Once more we played rather well despite the opposition having the bulk of the possession. In fact if it wasn't for Alan Walsh in the opposing goal, we could have again scored another hatful. We took the lead in the 27th minute with a well constructed set piece straight from the training ground that really confused Portstewart no end. They were thinking that Madine was going to swing the free kick into the penalty area but we had a different idea; Madine instead played it short to skipper Wilson who slid it into the area where it was hooked into the corner by Craig Briers for the full back's first of the season. The second came nine minutes later when McVeigh tucked the ball inside to Madine to take one touch and drive home one of his unstoppable long range efforts from 25 yards out. Typical Owen Madine doing what Owen Madine does so well.

We had chances a plenty to extend the lead with Taylor missing the best of them from just six yards out; the Ballymena United loan striker firing over from six yards out when picked out by strike partner Jonathan Doyle. It was a gilt laden chance for sure. At the other end of the pitch, Portstewart scarcely troubled us and this was despite us losing Louis McKeown to a twisted knee on the stroke of half time. Tougher tests await though, can we rise above them and succeed? That is the question we need to answer ourselves.

For a solid performance in the Mezzala role tonight; Madine was selected as the Man of the Match and took the beers back home with him. That said, there were plenty of good performances throughout; with both full backs having excellent games as well as another one from McVeigh who looks a handy acquisition already.

One more the xG for the game was very, very pleasing indeed. Not as high as it was against Seagoe but most clubs will be delighted with it. Whilst Portstewart had the possession, they didn't use to their advantage and we have the points on the board. Next up, Distillery away on Saturday. Toughest game of the season so far and we're only just getting started.

Needs more Carol Vorderman for me hahaha

She might make a re-appearance at some point, watch this space.

2024-2025 Season: Distillery left punch drunk as superb first half has them in handcuffs - Volume 2 Chapter 18

That end of the first month would see us head on our travels to Lisburn to face foes Distillery. Whilst we had defeated them in the Steel and Sons Cup semi-final, the Whites had more than our measure when it came to those all-important league matches. In fact, their 4-2 win at The Dub virtually ended our faint hopes of a play-off spot last season and it still rankles even to this day.

Consider this, they were a top division side as recent as 2013 . A bit far removed from our own history as we've never played at that stamdard.

However, we head there in good spirits (if you pardon the pun) indeed. We have had an excellent pre-season, losing just one from six friendlies played and won both games played so far: 2-6 at Seagoe and 2-0 at home to Portstewart. The Whites are a step up in class from both and are expected to be up there again challenging for the sole promotion place or the play-off position. This is for sure, a true test of what we are and to see if we have improved no end since the two sides last faced each other. Naturally the home side are the favourites to take the points this afternoon with a best price of 5-4 being offered by the bookies. If you reckon we're capable of springing a surprise then you can get 2-1 for that. It's 5-2 if you think we will be shaking hands at the end on a draw.

New Grosvenor Stadium, Lisburn

Attendance: 211 (64 away)

So what's the team news from the New Grosvenor Stadium in the City of Lisburn, no that's no spelling mistake: that's Lisburn not Lisbon! We make a single change from the side that defeated Portstewart in midweek, and that comes in the centre of defence. Louis McKeown isn't fully ready to resume his partnership with Andrew Ferguson and is replaced by Jack Graham. Graham's place on the seven-man substitutes bench is taken by Ben Mitchell, with McKeown not included at all. With Portstewart offering him a deal, perhaps his mind is elsewhere so it's best overall not to include the former defender. 

Our hosts make four changes from the side that defeated a second string Crusaders side 2-0 in the Second Round of the League Cup. Out go Craig Robinson, McMenamin, Fra Brennan and one-time transfer target Ethan Warnock who joined Dollingstown yesterday. In come Niall Morgan for his debut between the sticks (Morgan arrived in the summer from Dungannon Swifts where he was there for an incredible 17 seasons), Chris Burns, David Rafferty and Shane Cooper who tormented us last season. Scot Andy Oram, formerly of Queen of the South and Ayr United, is also a new signing and features from the start whilst last season's top scorer Joe Tully captains and leads the line with the wind blowing a proper hoolie.

Determined to put the record straight, we went after the home side from the start which absolutely had me beaming with happiness. If there was a team that I wanted to seriously beat then Distillery are one of them. We gave them an early warning in the 13th minute when a long wind-assisted goal kick from Ryan Dalzell found David Taylor but the loan signing's effort went inches over. Four minutes later we had our goal, Connor Maxwell with a deep far post cross onto the head of Alexandre Machado who directed his header back across Morgan and into the bottom far corner. Seconds after the restart, we almost bagged a second when a long range effort from Owen Madine was brilliantly turned around the post by the former Swifts custodian. Our tails were indeed up high, and after 23 minutes the second duly arrived from a swift counter attack that had Distillery feeling punch drunk, Jonathan Doyle with the final pass into skipper Johnny Wilson whose shot from just inside the box had Morgan beaten at his near post.

Could it get better? Indeed it could as we scored a third in first half added-on time: another Maxwell cross that Burns and Machado challenged for with the ball landing gleefully at the feet of Doyle who hooked it home from six yards. A sensational opening 45, and the best thing: Distillery had been reduced to zero shots. Should have been four in the early stages of the second half, Callum McVeigh's corner being met by a Ferguson header that found the side netting. So unlucky. The home side had their first chance in the 58th minute with a Tully shot that was pouched comfortably by Dalzell. Ten minutes Dalzell was alert again, this time denying Ellis Brown from distance. Substitute Morris then fired wide following a rare loose Wilson pass as they looked for consolation; which they got in the final embers of the game when Mitchell tripped Morris in the area and Tully provided the perfect spot kick despite Dalzell going the right way. Despite that, a splendid away win and the mood was proper jubliant.

In shades of some imperious performances last season, Doyle was awarded the Man of the Match beers for him to consume at his pleasure. He had been absolutely outstanding and Distillery just couldn't handle him. If he carries on like so, a 20 plus goal tally is on the cards.

Once more the statistics from the match tell their own story. Plenty of efforts on goal and another xG in excess of 2.50 which for an away performance is quite simply outstanding. We now focus attention to Larne on Tuesday in the League Cup, will there be changes from our side and what kind of team are the Premiership Champions going to put out? Those are the questions we are get answered. Winners of this will play Portadown in Round Three. 

2024-2025 Season: Good news and Bad news… - Volume 2 Chapter 19

We didn't add the squad on the final day of the transfer window, a decision that didn't go down well with one particular member of the squad.

Teenage midfielder Ethan Sousa, who arrived this summer on a free transfer, thought we could have done more in bringing more options in the striking department. Obviously he's not seen the squad list, we have six out and out strikers in the first team and reserve teams combined of which two have been acquired on season long loans from Premiership clubs. Added to this, we also have four more players who can fill in up front as well as attacking midfielders. So ten is not enough? 

As a result, because it's deemed insufficient in his own mind: Sousa wants away. Some of these kids….

Anyway I tried to talk him around:

“Ethan, we have ten possible strikers on the team and that's not enough. I mean, seriously?”

“Yeah, I think we're too lightweight. I want out.”

“Oh okay. But do you really want to move on and get yourself established elsewhere because of this? We have a damn good dressing room atmosphere here.”

“Not gonna change my thoughts, I want away please.”

“Guess you're adamant then. You can clean your locker out, good luck elsewhere.”

“I'll be seeing you then.”

So after just under four months at The Dub, Ethan Sousa has left the building. Means that Owen Madine can cement the Mezzala role himself if he so desire. Sousa was not the only departure that day as defender Louis McKeown has agreed to join Portstewart with immediate effect. Let them go, we move on. On the pitch, Sunday saw a side representing us take on Linfield Swifts at The Dub but crash to a 5-0 loss. The quality in the Blues side was evident as four of their goals came from players who have featured in their first team at some point in their career; the other came as an own goal from our very own Zach Annett.

However, there was this bit of good news:

That's something to make you smile isn't it? And the award will be officially presented at our next home game by a special club guest. Surely not Carol…..

2024-2025 Season: A loss under the lights of Larne - Volume 2 Chapter 20

Losing two pieces of the puzzle is bound to hurt, but what can you do. To be fair, losing Sousa has stung more than the loss of McKeown and why is that so: well I thought he would be responsible and listen to what we were saying. How wrong were we, eh? Anyone would think he was picking the squad and in charge of player recruitment the way he was acting. How many strikers did he think we needed? If I had bowed down and signed more strikers as free agents then I would have too many options. Plus we can only afford what we can. Good riddance to possible bad rubbish as they say.

McKeown's loss was purely financial. He wanted to stay but the bonuses he wanted were things we couldn't offer to match so he's joined Portstewart. That said, Kyle (McDowell) didn't think there was any chemistry between him and Andrew Ferguson. In Kyle's eyes our best central defensive duo is Ferguson and Ben Mitchell with Jack Graham ready to step into the breach should either first choices be absent. Just wait for the kicker though, McKeown scoring in the return fixture later this season. It's written in them stars I tell you.

Midweek sees us head to the Port of Larne, where the Premiership Champions host us in the Second Round of this season's League Cup. We go there without fear and knowing that the odds are firmly stacked against us. But this is Cup football and anything can happen, after all Distillery saw off an understrength Crues side in the same competition last week so maybe we could do the same? How serious is Tiernan Lynch going to take us? That's the dilemma. The home side are red-hot favourites to progress as the bookies have them at 1-3, you can get 7-2 if you believe it will be a draw after 90 minutes whilst we're absolutely being given no chance whatsoever at 17-2. That must be the longest price ever in my 14 months so far for a PSNI win. Imagine the reaction if we do pull it off, it'll be nothing short of the biggest miracle like ever.

Inver Park, Larne

Attendance: 1453 (41 away)

The biggest dilemma when it came to picking the team for the Larne game, was to decide on how many changes to make. Do I make wholesale changes or just the odd one or two. With the chances of progressing in the Steel and Sons Cup much greater than that in the League Cup, then I decided to go with a number of changes. I decided to make a total of SIX changes from the side that won so impressively at Distillery, protecting a number of recognised first team options. The only players to retain their places were goalkeeper Ryan Dalzell, defenders Jack Graham and Craig Briers (who skippered the team) as well as midfielders Owen Madine and Callum McVeigh. Tiernan Lynch made eight changes for the Champions with only Alex Murphy, Micheal Glynn and Brandon Doyle retaining their spots for Purple Bricks FC. On the bench was Kye Livingstone who we were familiar with, the youngster having played against us last season when on a season-long loan at Warrenpoint Town.

We had the first chance after just 18 seconds through one of those six changes; Ivorian striker Éric Akassou firing over the bar following some good creative play by Callum McVeigh and Sam Morrow. However that was about as good as it got for us as the Larne second string flexed their muscle to show the difference in quality between the two sides on show tonight. Their first sight of goal came in the 13th minute when Matthew Lusty played in strike partner Corey Smith but the shot thudded against the post with Dalzell beaten all ends up. Dalzell, who was without question our best performer on the night, produced a quality save nine minutes before half time when he produced a brilliant save to prevent a long range free kick from Micheal Glynn creeping in. Smith had another chance next up when he did superbly to dispossess Ben Mitchell but the finish saw him shoot into the side netting. It was only a matter of time before a goal did come, and it arrived two minutes before the break when a Brandon Doyle pass bounced off Mitchell into the path of Smith who made no mistake this time out for 1-0.

Dalzell produced another quality save just before the hour when he denied Kyle Fanning with a smart stop. Yet we had a let off in the 68th minute when Leroy Millar's corner was met by a well timed header from Ro-Shaun Williams but the former Manchester United trainee couldn't direct his effort on target and the ball sailed over the bar. With the game clock showing 87 minutes, we knew we just needed that bit of luck in front of goal to force extra-time, Changes from the substitute bench hadn't had the desired effect yet, but all it needed was a stroke of magic from us or a cataclysmic error by Larne. Yet their relief became palpable when they were awarded a penalty in that 87th minute when Mitchell tripped Millar just inside the area for a clear spot kick. Up stepped former Glentoran striker Ally Roy and the journeyman striker produced the perfect 12 yard effort out of the reach of Dalzell and end our League Cup hopes. Not even six minutes of time added-on could change the narrative and the exit was sealed.

Despite having a wretched start where he missed a few gilt edged chances, Larne's Corey Smith took the Man of the Match beers home with him. It was a game that, from our perspective, we didn't test the Premiership Champions too much at all but Ryan Dalzell in our goal can hold his head high with his own individual contribution: he prevented a more humbling defeat!

The match statistics tell their own story. Larne coasted that game to be fair, even with a second string line up. Just shows the gulf in class, and where we want to be. Now if we only had an owner like Mr Purple Bricks, we could be doing what they do now. Quickly find a rich benefactor then Ken….

2024-2025 Season: Fergie time penalty sees us progress into the Fourth Round - Volume 2 Chapter 21

After seeing our League Cup journey end in the Second Round once more, we had the chance to pick ourselves off the floor and continue with our defence of the Steel and Sons Cup on Saturday afternoon. Losing to Larne was our first loss of the season, and a test of character for some of the players. It's how you respond to losses that makes you wonder if you are cut out for this game or not, and a chance for me to restore more of the established names back to the starting eleven after giving them a rest at Larne.

Before the Malachians game, Cain Stewart advised us that he has received offers to move away from The Dub which he is considering. All four teams that are showing interest, play at a level below ours. Whilst I have not been able to give him starts yet, I know what Cain can bring so we might look at starting him Saturday to see what kind of impact he can make. He made a good impression last season, hence we signed him permanently this summer, but it's just not worked out yet for him. Maybe he just needs a goal…

Before Saturday, we took ourselves off to Gibraltar. Not to see the monkeys on the Rock but to watch the Green and White Army in action. Everyone was expecting the professionals to swamp their semi-professional hosts but Michael O'Neill and his men laboured to a goalless draw despite comfortably outshooting them 14-3. There were some pretty hacked off faces on the flight back to Belfast the following morning that's for sure, most saw it as a missed opportunity. Saturday came around, and Malachians looking to be the latest team to end our reign as Steel and Sons Cup holders. Naturally the bookies have us as favourites with a best price of 10-11 on offer, our hosts can be backed at 11-4 for a surprise win whilst a 90 minute draw can be found at 13-5. Let's get this done!

Shore Road Playing Fields, Belfast

Attendance: 171 (103 away)

After making six changes for Larne, I brought the big guns back for the Steel and Sons Cup game. This meant recalls back to the starting eleven for players such as Andrew Ferguson, skipper Johnny Wilson and striker Jonathan Doyle. Alexandre Machado was also recalled to provide his attacking threat down the right wing whilst Callum McVeigh was given the left wing task ahead of Sam Morrow who had an ineffective game at Larne; as did a number of others. Cain Stewart, subject to a transfer dilemma, was given the nod up front alongside Doyle in the hope it would kickstart his season. The two combined for 31 of our goals in League and Cup last season so there's some chemistry in there, right? Malachians made a couple of changes themselves, bringing in Louis Wilson and Lucas Hadden in for the two Camerons: Moore and Crook.

The game itself was not one that you are ever going to dub as a classic, in fact it was duller than ditch water. This was summed up perfectly in that it took 19 minutes for the first shot to actually happen and even then it was a daisy cutter of an effort that trundled into the arms of Malachians custodian Reece Kernaghan. Their first opportunity came in the 33rd minute when we were opened up, but Rhys Emerson saw his shot deflect wide for a corner which we cleared with ease. Our efforts hadn't been good enough, and it was summed up seven minutes before half time when an Owen Madine long range strike went high, wide and not very handsome indeed.

18 seconds into the second half and the deadlock was broken, and by us. An effort from Wilson was pushed onto the post by Kernaghan, but straight out to Doyle who nodded the rebound into the gaping goal. You would have expected the floodgates to open, but no as the home side almost levelled within two minutes of that goal when Hadden's corner was met by Taylor Shaw with a firm header that crashed against the bar with Ryan Dalzell beaten. We didn't heed the warning as Malachians equalised in the 57th minute: another Hadden corner, this time to the far post, and Jack Mullan powered in the headed leveller. The winner came four minutes from the end when Ben Johnston upended substitute Cathal Farren in the area. Penalty. Up stepped Ferguson to send Kernaghan the wrong way and spare any blushes. We almost had a third a couple of minutes later, Kernaghan producing a quality save to deny Doyle a second when 1-3 looked a certainty.

Not the most polished performance but the defence continues unabated. Four wins for back to back Cups, nothing that we are talking about it just yet!

Despite it being a less than convincing performance by us, there was only one player who was head and shoulders above everybody to win the Man of the Match beers. That player was striker Jonathan Doyle who was definitely “Johnny on the spot” to head us ahead with his fourth goal of the season.

Another decent performance in terms of xG when it came to looking at the Match Stats themselves. Bar the Larne gane, we seem to be getting over 2 in the xG which shows how well we are performing so far. I reckon another pasting of an opponent can't be too far away at this rate, and I wouldn't begrudge the team a performance like that.

No idea why skipper Johnny Wilson keeps saying “Big Mood” though. Does he know something that I don't?

2024-2025 Season: Midweek Musings - Volume 2 Chapter 22

Malachians had given us a game, that was the general consensus in the dressing room after Andrew Ferguson's late penalty saw them off in the Third Round of this season's Steel and Sons Cup at Shore Road Playing Fields. So attention switched to the Fourth Round draw which was live again on BBC Radio Ulster's Sportsound programme and we tuned into it from the comfort of the bar area at The Dub. We were one of 19 teams in the draw including three giant killers (Derriaghy, Bourneview Mill and Strabane Athletic) who had sent second string sides from recognised Premiership clubs out of the competition. What kind of draw would be our reward?

The draw gave us yet another away trip, shades of last season where we were away every round bar the semi-final. So we are at Glen Road on the first Tuesday in October, We play a side with a historic name from the past but it's not the same original club. The original Belfast Celtic, formed in 1891 but ceased as a club some 69 years later, featured players such as Liverpool's longest serving player Elisha Scott, Celtic wing wizard Charlie Tully as well as former England manager Ron Greenwood no less. The new side was started in 1978 but incorporated the famous name as recent as 2019. They booked their place with a 4-0 humbling of Cookstown Youth in Round Three and feature one of our old players in Mark Anderson amongst their squad; former Glentoran and Ballymena United midfielder Stephen McAlorum manages the side. Winnable indeed for a place in the last eight.

Sunday, and normally a day of rest but not for me as I took in two games. First up was the trip to Ballywooley Park in Bangor for the “Under 18” side match against Bryansburn Rangers. We took the lead when wing prospect Aaron Porter opened the scoring after just three minutes, and it looked to be just that but we had an amazing four goals in a three minutes spell from the 79th minute. Crazy football. Latvian midfielder Toms Belovs converted a penalty to level matters but Porter put us back in front with his second goal just 60 seconds later. Straight from the kick off Sam McVeigh, no relation to our Callum, made it 2-2 but home defender Colin English diverted Porter's cross into his own net in the 82nd minute to gift us the win.

Second trip was to the National Stadium at Windsor Park to see if the National side could put the dour goalless draw in Gibraltar behind, and win their second Nations League C2 game. Goals from Shayne Lavery in the first half with a 21st minute penalty and Dale Taylor with his first international effort just after the hour, secured a comfortable 2-0 win. The Green and White Army sit second behind leaders Cyprus who have two wins from two, and are their next opponents in Nicosia next month.

Finally, Cain Stewart has decided to join Ballymoney United when the winter transfer window opens on Ne'er Day. It's not really worked out for him since he joined on a permanent move this summer, but we wish him well. That said, there's more players copying Johnny Wilson and saying “Big Mood” a lot on the training pitches. I still don't have a clue what they're on about. Get me Manager of the Month award on Saturday, proper buzzing.

2024-2025 Season: Big Mood revealed on Rivalry Day - Volume 2 Chapter 23

So waking up on Saturday morning was a bit of an excitement, just like a child on Christmas Day waiting to see what presents Santa had brought. Yet the excitement was that of picking up my first ever Manager of the Month award. I mean I have only been a manager for what, 14 and a half months, and I'm getting another award to go along with the Steel and Sons Cup winners medal I got on Christmas Day 2024 when we defeated Moyola Park in Coleraine. If only Da could see this happening, yeah he would be so proud of me. Everything I do is dedicated to his memory.

I had only just stepped out of the shower when a text came through to my iPhone, from none other than a certain Jonathan Wilson. It read: “Boss, boss. BIG MOOOOOOD!” and just that. I still had no clue whatsoever what the fudge the skipper was on about, I thought he was off his nut but then again he always is: he's definitely the joker in the dressing room…he had put itching powder in my socks after training one day last season: that is what he's like. Reminds me a lot of Scott Brown who used to play for Hibernian and Celtic so he does. Great team player.

When I arrived at The Dub, Ken informed that they would do the Manager of the Month award at around 2:00pm on the pitch as they had asked all home supporters to try and be in for that. Come half past one, the Lads went out for their usual 45 minute warm up before coming back in for final instructions from me and Kyle ahead of the game. I, as usual, sat in the dressing room finishing off those final plans. Five minutes to two, there's a rap on the dressing room: it's Kyle:

“Mark, got to go on the pitch for that presentation now. You ready mate?”

“Yeah, guess so. Ready as I'll ever be. Let's get this out of the way.”

“Sure, dead on. Big Mooooooood!”

Even Kyle was saying it now, was this some kind of secret code for the presentation or what? I walked down the tunnel and onto the pitch, applauding the supporters all around The Dub as the home support chanted “Marky Mark's Green and Black Army!” which seems to be their newly adopted anthem for me. The players stopped warm up on both sides, as if the Donegal Celtic lads had been briefed on the mission too. What was going to happen next? The PA crackled into life:

“Football supporters home and away, please show your appreciation for the August Manager of the Month: PSNI's very own Mark Duell!”

Warm applause broke up around the ground.

“And here to present him with his award, our guest of honour today. Please show some equal appreciation for a star of Derry Girls and Bridgerton. The optician turned actress, Miss Nicola Coughlan!”

Now I realised what the meaning of Big Mood was about: Nicola had starred in a comedy series of that name. She looked stunning it had to be said, and had a beaming smile on her cute wee Galway face as she presented the award. “I'll see you in the bar after the game, we can chat more then.” Nicola said and then disappeared down the tunnel with a wink and sexy walk. I had no words, literally. She's one of the most gorgeous actresses going, and I had been rendered absolutely speechless.

“If I die on the pitch today, I will have died very happy indeed.” I said to myself as I took in one more round of applause before retiring back to the dressing room to finish my final preparations. I had a football match to try and win, but the thought of Nicola Coughlan and her beautiful hour glass figure were visions I couldn't help imagine. Imagine cuddling up to that at night, that would be the stuff of dreams for sure. Any hot red-blooded male wouldn't turn that down at all….

Could we crown the actual game with a win? That had to be the focus.

2024-2025 Season: Shaking hands on a draw - Volume 2 Chapter 24

So that's what it had all been about, then? As the Lads finished getting ready for the referee's bell to sound and time to take the field in our third League game of the season, I wandered over to Johnny Wilson to find something out.

“Johnny, how long had you known Nicola Coughlan was coming today?”

“Probably a couple of days after the Manager of the Month award was announced boss to be fair.”

“Who told you?” Ken? Kyle?"

“Ella, our Press Officer. Swore me to secrecy she did, Told me to just keep saying ”Big Mood" to you all the time to see if you would work it out."

“Cheeky minx.”

“Aye, indeed. Take you've seen her in that Bridgerton episode? What a babe!"

“Quite Johnny. Anyway let's try and win this game."

The bookies obviously think that our good start to the season has warranted them making us favourites today, and that's without the Nicola Coughlan factor. We're even money favourites to make it three wins out of three today, with the newly-promoted visitors priced at 5-2. If you reckon it'll be a draw it's best priced at 13-5 for that.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 266 (151 away)

So what would be the side to take on Donegal, would there be wholesale changes or just minor tweaks? As it was, I made just the one. Owen Madine had been looking off it so I decided to bring Sam Morrow in at his expense. Bringing Sam in meant a change of position and role for Callum McVeigh as he took over the Mezzala role that Madine and the now-departed Ethan Sousa had filled so far. Now if Callum impresses there could be a real chance for him to cement that role on a regular basis. Despite leaving us in January, Cain Stewart again partnered Jonathan Doyle up front. Donegal themselves made a couple of changes, with Darragh Kelly and Michael Gallagher starting at the expense of Ruairi McEneaney and Jay Patterson. McEneaney was on the bench whilst Patterson missed the game entirely with a thigh injury.

We had a very early let off as soon as the seventh minute when Gallagher burst clean through the heart of our defence. However, the striker's effort was straight off the post and bounced clear away from danger. It took us 23 minutes to fashion our first opportunity but it was weak and straight at Callum Rooney in the Donegal goal. Donegal had the best of the first half, making us as hosts: look distinctly second best in front of the watching Miss Coughlan. Yet the score at the interval remained goalless.

After some encouragement and at times, harsh words, at the interval - we came out more intent in the second half than we had in that first 45. This was typified when we forced Ethan Taggart into sending a pass straight into Stewart who tried to lift it over Rooney from distance but it sailed over the bar. Just before the hour a good team move picked out Doyle who, like Stewart, tried to beat Rooney from distance but the top scorer's effort clipped the bar and away. A goal was due and it came in the 64th minute when McKinney's slide rule saw Curtis Murphy outpace Ben Mitchell before striking an effort across Ryan Dalzell and into the far corner. We equalised four minutes later, albeit fortuitously when Taggart's clearance pinged off Gallagher and landed at the feet of Doyle to poke home for 1-1.

Neither side could break through again after Doyle's leveller and we shook hands on a draw, our first of the season. It was about fair in all reflection. 

Despite many players on both sides having a bit of a shocker, one player again was head and shoulders above all. For the second match in succession, striker Jonathan Doyle was given the Man of the Match beers which were presented to him by the delightful Miss Coughlan post-match. Donegal's goalscorer Curtis Murphy was deemed to be their best,

From the match statistics. there was not much between the sides in terms of chances created but neither of us made use of them. We seem be doing okay with the xG again, yet they had the bulk of the possession. However, a draw isn't bad - who knows how useful it might be come the last weekend in April?

We have dropped two places to fourth with the result. Banbridge Town, with a 1-0 win at Portstewart, and Rathfriland Rangers who won 2-1 at Armagh City still have 100 per cent records. Ironically enough, we're away to Rathfriland in our next fixture.

2024-2025 Season: Getting Ready for Rathfriland - Volume 2 Chapter 25

Our next task was to go to Rathfriland Rangers, one of the league's two maximum point holders after three matchdays. It's a team that we have had some good success against since I was appointed in July 2023, and were actually the first team we played in a competitive (that is, not a friendly) under my tutelage. Therefore I would really want that to continue. 

Sunday again saw the Under 18s “team” again take to the field. They were back on home turf at The Dub, and I joined 20 other hardy souls to see if they could make it two wins after losing their first ever game at the start of the month to the Linfield second team. In opposition were the Dollingstown reserves, and we fielded a very strong side against them. Three goals in each half for the team, and a 6-0 win can't be bad at all. New signing this season Cathal Farren led the individual scoring with a brace whilst one each from Daniel Reynolds, Sean Hill and Jack Graham plus an early own goal completed the rout. Yet the weird thing was they actually had 17 shots on our goal but didn't convert any. Just goes to show what a funny old game football is, as Jimmy Greaves always alluded to.

Midweek saw the outstanding Third Round ties in the Steel and Sons Cup take place. Tuesday saw two games, and one of them was in Coleraine where Moyola Park took on Rathfriland. Obviously I was there to see what to expect from the visiting side considering they're our next opponents. They had “Def” Leppard playing in central defence and despite being outshot, booked a place in the last 16 with a 2-0 away win thanks to goals from Jonathan Scannell (inside the first minute) and Jonah Mitchell inside the first 27 minutes. The other game that night was a nine goal thriller at The Dub where the Crusaders Reserves won 5-4 thanks to a 89th minute winner from winger Sam Glendinning. 

Wednesday night saw the final Third Round tie be played and Knockbreda made short work of Shankill United, the side we played in pre-season, with a 8-3 away win: Jack Evans scoring four of them. That means all the ties are set, three played on the last Saturday in September and the other five (including ours) being played 72 hours later. Our October is now scheduled as follows at the moment:

We will be probably playing on the 26th in the Intermediate Cup First Round. However, the draw for this has yet to be made: it gets drawn on Friday 11 October 2024.

If we can take the points away from Rathfriland on Saturday, I'm sure it will set us up well for the next two games against the two sides that suffered relegation last season: Knockbreda and Newington. Every game feels like a Cup Final at the moment…

2024-2025 Season: First League loss of Season Two - Volume 2 Chapter 26

So after the Nicola Coughlan appearance at our last game, and no I didn't get her number to ask her out on date, we started to prepare in earnest for the trip out to Rathfriland on the Saturday. The treatment room was empty bar a small knock incurred by Louis Blackstock in that 6-0 “Under 18s” win against the Dollingstown reserve team last Sunday. As a manager, you want all your players fit and ready to go ideally but are equally mindful of the fact that you need cover in all positions if you want to do something special that season.

With the summer window firmly closed, any new players that we want to bring in now - have to be free agents. That is, players without any club affiliation. We can approach players who are at clubs, but they won't join until January 2025 hence that's why Cain Stewart is still with us despite agreeing to play for Ballymoney United. One free agent is experienced winger Andy Hall, The 35 year old has spent the last couple of seasons at Dundela but is best known for a seven season spell in the top flight with Lurgan-based side Glenavon. A lot will depend on what he wants and what we can afford as always.

Both sides have made positive starts to the season, with Rathfriland definitely doing better than where they finished last. They have also changed manager with Mason Heatley having left in the summer after only been in charge for just 111 days, and replaced by former Dundela manager David Murphy. The bookies believe that they are going to make it 4 wins from 4 today against us, and have made them 7-5 favourites to do so. If you think we will end their 100 per cent record, then you can get 13-8 on us with the draw priced at 5-2.

Iveagh Park, Rathfriland

Attendance: 97 (7 away)

We have made just the single change from the side that drew 1-1 with Donegal Celtic seven days ago, and that comes up front. Cain Stewart drops down to the bench and is replaced by Cathal Farren in his first actual start for us, having scored twice in that Under 18's comprehensive win last Sunday. Hopefully, he can deliver for the first team and strike up a nice partnership with Jonathan Doyle. Rathfriland make three changes from the side that won 2-0 in midweek in the Steel and Sons Cup Third Round. Coming into their starting eleven are defenders Adam Ambrose and Jack Barbour as well as attacker Ronan O'Hara who is on loan from Purple Bricks FC. They replace Lee McNulty, Mark Bronte and Jack McCartan. It was also a reunion with Shaun “Def” Leppard who joined Rathfriland on a permanent basis before the season started, after spending a trial period with us beforehand.

The game got off to the worst possible start for us, a goal conceded in just 38 seconds! O'Hara escaped down the left and measured a low cross into the danger area where Jonah Mitchell got in front of namesake but no relation, Ben, to poke the ball into the net from six yards out. The game plan well and truly ripped up so quickly and ruthlessly. We needed a response, and were back level in the fourth minute when Callum McVeigh, again playing in the Mezzala role, poked the ball down for Doyle to crash a half volley across Joe McGovern and into the far corner of the net. It was JD's sixth goal of the season already. Five minutes later, we were almost 2-1 ahead when a pass from Alexandre Machado found skipper Johnny Wilson to fire in a shot from an acute angle but McGovern got down sharply to turn the ball away and avoid it sneaking in at his near post.

The game was an open one, and Rathfriland's next attempt came from the dangerous O'Hara with a long range effort that whistled just over the bar with Ryan Dalzell grasping thin air. They regained the lead in the 34th minute and to be fair it was one that Craig Briers will want reminding of to be fair. McGovern's long goal kick was missed in the air by the full back, and as such landed at the feet of O'Hara who volleyed into the top corner with a precision effort. No keeper would have got anywhere near that. A stern few words at half time saw us more determined in the second 45, Briers almost setting up Sam Morrow in the opening nine minutes of that second half but the winger headed over. We pushed and pushed, and in injury time Connor Maxwell picked out Jay McDowell in the area but the Dungannon Swifts loanee shot straight at McGovern but the offside flag was raised into the air meaning it wouldn't have counted even if it had hit the onion bag.

So a first league loss this season, what kind of reaction will we get? Hopefully, a positive one but the next two league games are far from easy. A real test of any promotion credentials already.

The loanee from Larne, Ronan O'Hara, was a clear Man of the Match award winner and took home the beers with him. They adjudged that Callum McVeigh was our best performer, when a number of others again had quiet days at the proverbial office.

The matchday statistics show their own story, we comprehensively outplayed the hosts. However, we did not do the necessary in front of their goal: one goal from 24 attempts is not going to win any game whatsoever. Another xG over 2.00….

 Next up, a midweek date with newly relegated Knockbreda at The Dub, and no Nicola Coughlan either.

2024-2025 Season: Knockbreda knocked off the top - Volume 2 Chapter 27

After losing that first game of the season on Saturday, the immediate response in the away dressing room and on the team coach bound back for Belfast was: we're going to put this right, and we're gonna do this immediately. We were determined that Knockbreda, the current leaders, would unfortunately be facing a very wounded animal at The Dub in midweek.

And you face a team with a point to prove as much as we did, then well one word comes to mind: BEWARE!

Ahead of that game, I had popped into Ken's office to ask him if we could get an increase in the wage budget so we could make a potential offer for free agents such as Andy Hall. Hall, despite being 35, would rip up the Intermediate League and with Alexandre Machado: give us a pair of quality wingers with Sam Morrow not too far behind either. Ken declined, citing the financial situation was not stable enough to allow it to happen. Now who's fault is that, eh Kenneth? Certainly not the manager's, but the tight fisted so and so that is you Mr Chairman! I felt outraged, and deep inside wanted to ring the BelTel and get them to run a story on how the Chairman of PSNI FC is Scrooge in disguise and doesn't want to move with the times. But I didn't, even though my blood was literally at boiling point.

So onto that midweek game and the fact we're playing the leaders who are also recently relegated, were justified by the bookmakers odds. They had Knockbreda as 7-5 favourites to inflict a second successive loss on us, we were best priced at 9-5 whilst a draw was at 5-2. Could we spring a huge surprise?

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 207 (105 away)

Naturally, we had to make changes for the Knockbreda match - you can't keep faith with a losing side at all. Therefore we decided on a couple of changes to see if that would unlock the leaders. We brought in Zach Annett for his first start of the season at left back, replacing Connor Maxwell, and loan striker Jay McDowell in place of Cathal Farren. Other than that, we were unchanged which meant that Callum McVeigh started against his old Club. Knockbreda themselves made a change from their last line up, Adam Grant replacing Ashton McDermott with former Bangor striker Jack Evans leading the line: he went into the game tonight on 12 goals for the season. Former PSNI winger Raul Zabrauteanu was on the bench for the away side, whilst Jake Moore who also made the switch to Breda from us was not included in their 18-man squad.

The game had an explosive start, with two goals in the opening seven minutes. We opened the scoring first with two minutes on the clock, when a neat reverse pass from skipper Johnny Wilson found Morrow who took a touch before steadying himself and beating Michael Argyrides at the keeper's near post. Not a goal that the former Larne and Glentoran keeper would want reminding off. Five minutes later, Knockbreda equalised when a Nathan Clarke corner was played to the edge of the box for Cormac Lawlor to drill home with an arrowed finish. We almost made it 2-1 in the 12th minute after a swift counter attack, Morrow set up Wilson but the skipper's effort was inches wide. Moments later, we did make it 2-1 when Machado pulled the ball back and Wilson made no mistake with a thumping finish. The goal lifted us to a new level, Wilson striking the post with Argyrides well beaten. Yet Knockbreda were dangerous, Evans breaking clean through but Ryan Dalzell produced a fantastic save to deny him a 13th of the season. Then as half time approached Grant cracked a shot against the crossbar as an enthralling first half drew to a conclusion.

Could the second half be just as good? Well, yeah as we made it 3-1 just a couple of minutes after the restart and what a goal it was: probably the goal of the game. Machado played the ball into the path of McVeigh who was positioned just outside the penalty area, and he then produced a moment of sheer genius to curl the ball beyond Argyrides and into the top corner. An outstanding effort. In the 56th minute, Evans headed a Matthew Henry cross home but a swift flag offside flag silenced his and Knockbreda's celebrations. Zabrauteanu was introduced on the hour but we looked likely to score a fourth at any time, and Morrow almost provided it in the 65th minute when he burned away his marker, cut inside, but saw his goalbound effort denied by a superb Argyrides save onto the crossbar. 

It became a nervy finish with quarter of an hour to go as Knockbreda reduced the arrears to a single goal. James Clarke with a left wing cross and half time substitute McDermott poked home from a scramble in front of. Could we hold on, that was the question. With three minutes to go, we made it 4-2 with a clinching goal. Once more the partnership of Wilson and Morrow combined, the skipper with the pass into the winger and he produced a cool finish into the bottom corner for his second of the match and our fourth. Some game.

On a night where a lot of our boys really stepped up to the plate, and showed their true credentials: it was extremely hard for the match sponsors to go and pick a Man of the Match. However, they had to do the deed and the award of the beers went to former Crusaders and Dundela winger Sam Morrow. Special appreciation went to loan striker Jay McDowell who played superb in only his second start for the Club.

Despite being outplayed by the visitors who had twice as many efforts on goal, and more possession: we made what we created - count. This led to another excellent xG statistic which has been one of the major stand outs this season so far. Long may it continue.