Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We certainly Found what you had been looking for
Reflecting on the game, Finn said: “Obviously you don’t want to read too much into one result – Ricky had been here for 18 years and they are very big boots to fill.”
Opening day victories in the division were also earned by Downpatrick, who beat Barn United 3-2, a 2-0 win on the road by Malachians against Holywood and a 1-0 win by Comber Rec against Kilmore Rec.
Just below the top flight former Knockbreda boss Davey Williams had just taken over the reigns of 1st Bangor and had high hopes of steering his new club to promotion at the first time of asking.
Williams had been out of the game since departing Knockbreda over two years before but was now relishing the opportunity to again show that he had what it took to manage at a top level in the Amateur League.
Speaking of his experience at the Braniel Road club, Williams said: “That’s probably what keeps me going – the feeling that you’ve got to keep proving yourself, to keep achieving, and doing better. I do feel that Knockbreda were a bit hasty in getting rid of me, but it was their choice. They ended up getting relegating last season – but that is not something for me to gloat about.”
To help him try and achieve success at his new club Williams had brought in his son Ross, Colin Bell and former Breda player Alan Curran, while he had approached former Ards player
Peter Hinds to help share the managerial workload. Williams added: “They are a good club, and the committee have given me everything I’ve asked for.
“They deserve success, and hopefully I can help bring it to them.”
Success in 1A was also the aim for Ards Rangers boss Colin Nixon, although by his own admission he was “pleasantly surprised” that his side recorded a comfortable 6-3 victory over Saintfield United.
The former Glentoran defender had just returned from a holiday on the Friday before the game to learn that four of his key players were injured and a number of others had left the club.
However, Nixon was of the belief that once those players (Alan Reese, Hugh Adair, Ashley Holden and Johnny Hall) were back in the side Ards Rangers would have a serious chance of finishing in the top two of the division.