THE RYAN EXPRESS..

After a scoreless first half, East Coast Strikers winger Nixon gets up a head of steam to help his team bag 9

FOLLOWING a scoreless first half few were expecting ten goals after the break when East Coast Strikers ran out 9-1 winners over North End United to get the under-13 section off to an explosive start.

Ryan Nixon (being congratulated left) turned the game on its head with his speed and crossing down the flanks though he only got one goal himself. East Coast’s other goals came from Kyle Mcdowell (2), Shaun Mccarthy (2), Ben Walker (2), Eve Reilly and Jamie Ferguson.

Strikers’ manager Kyle Farley was delighted with the second half performance when his team turned possession into goals.

North End boss, Joe Kidd, agreed Callum Mcavoy’s goal was a great effort, but pointed out they had five regulars missing.

AFTER a scoreless first half East Coast Strikers hit the goal trail after the break and raced to a 9-1 win over North End United in the Daily Mirror Lisburn Junior Invitational League under13 section.

Pacy winger Ryan Nixon made the difference with his runs down the flank to set up numerous scoring opportunities which had been squandered in the first half.

North End, who were missing five regulars, also had scoring opportunities in the opening period, but they did score after Strikers had hit six.

It was probably the goal of the match with Callum Mcavoy’s long range effort bouncing off the back stanchion.

Kyle Mcdowell finally broke the deadlock early in the second half and he later added a second, while Nixon also got a goal he deserved.

Other scorers were Shaun Mccarthy (2), Ben Walker (2), Eve Reilly and Jamie Ferguson.

Strikers manager Kyle Farley said they had a number of oneon-one situations in the first half but Ryan’s speed on the flank finally made the difference. “It was a good performance on which to build.’’

North End boss Joe Kidd said he did not want to use it as an excuse, but they did have five regulars missing. “We had a couple of half-chances in the first half, but were never really in the game,’’ he added. THE BIG KICK-OFF East Coast Strikers and North End line up at Barbour playing fields before Saturday’s game EAST COAST STRIKERS: Scott Mashal, Callan Farley, Sarah Tweedie, Norman Cancino, Ryan Nixon, Jack Sharpe, Eve Reilly, Ben Walker, Jamie Ferguson, Kyle Mcdowell, Shaun Mccarthy, Mark Wylie, Jake Magee. NORTH END UNITED: George Mcclean, Zach Erwin, Jamie Magill, Stevie Bristow, Callum Mcavoy, Adam Fitzpatrick, Ben O’neill, Shea O’broin, Billy Bell, Jay Mckeown, Callum Francey, PJ Mcdonnell.

IN THE RED Strikers’ Jack Sharpe puts pressure on Shea Redmond of North End FAR AWAY Callan Farley turns away from North End United’s Shea Redmond REILLY GOOD Strikers’ Eve Reilly celebrates her goal against North End FITZ THE BILL East Coast’s Sarah...