Brantwood v Groomsport
24th July 2010
24th July 2010
BRANTWOOD 5 -
(Hanna 3)
(M.Armstrong)
(Black)
TEAM
1.Darren Dempster SUBS
2.Andrew Battersby 12.Wayne Porter
3.Chris Rafferty 14.Aaron Jack
4.Aidan Hanna
5.Willie Stewart
6.Brendan Devlin
7.Matt Armstrong
8.Johnny Armstrong
9.Patrick Kelly
10.Stevie Black
11.Paul Heatley
On Saturday we welcomed to Skegoniell Avenue division 1c side Groomsport F.C for our 2nd match in our pre
season fixtures.The game began at a very leisurely pace with neither team taking the early initiative, when on
6 minutes Brantwood took the lead when Stevie Black shot home from close range after the goalkeeper had
parried the ball from a curling Paul Heatley shot following a fine run into the box . Brantwood were by no means
having an easy time of it and Groomsport were beginning to dictate matters in the middle of the park and the
frustration among the players was evident with simple passes going astray , Brantwood nearly increased
their lead when the goalkeeper did well to touch over a Patrick Kelly header following a fine crossinto the box by
Andrew Battersby. Brantwood increased their lead on 28 minutes probably against the run of play with what was
easily the best play of the first half when Brendan Devlin played the ball down the left to Patrick Kelly who in turn
played the ball inside to Jay Hanna to slip a diagonal ball into the box for Paul Heatley to turn inside and lay the
ball back to the edge of the area for jay to drive home low into the right hand corner. the game was drifting
towards half time when with 3 minutes of the first half left Brantwood were awarded a free kick that was quickly
played into mid field by Aaron Jack to Johnny Armstrong who fired in a cross for Jay Hanna to head home his 2nd
and Brantwood’s third
HALF-TIME 3 - 0
Brantwood reappeared for the second half with a change of formation and personnel and manager Philip (Joe)
McCann’s angry words still ringing in their ears, for the opening 15 minutes Brantwood were still finding it difficult
to get a foot hold in the action but gradually began to grow into the match as Groomsport began to tire when on
67 minutes Paul Heatley played in Chris Rafferty who crossed for Matt Armstrong to easily side foot the ball into
the net. Brantwood were now knocking the ball about and enjoying a freedom that had been missing from their
earlier play and it wasn't long before they went further ahead when Matt Armstrong delivered a pass out right
for Andy Battersby to cross for Jay Hanna to complete his hat trick with a header back across goal into the top
corner, the game ended with Brantwood on the ascendancy, there was some decent performances from the
immaculate Willie Stewart who once again marshalled his defence well ,and Paul Heatley who didn't get the
goal his hard work and hold up play deserved.
A very much improved performance will be required for our next opponents on Wednesday when
Lisburn Distillery will be the visitors to Skegoniell Avenue