Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WIN SOME.. LOSE SOME
Bell rings the changes and is left with selection headache
SATURDAY’S Intermediate Cup fixtures turned out to be a mixed bag for Mid-ulster Intermediate teams.
Pride of place went to Moneyslane who defeated Premier Intermediate League side PSNI 4-3, while Seapatrick deserve credit for their performance on the road at Limavady United where they lost 4-3.
On their travels were also Fivemiletown United and they came away with a 4-3 win at Ballymena Intermediate League club Glebe Rangers, while Portadown side Hanover also won on the road with a 5-2 victory over Carrick club Barn United with two from Henry Capper (above) and one apiece from Rhys Calvert, Adam Brown and an own goal.
Convincing home wins, Ballymacash 4-1 against Saintfield and Windmill Stars, who thrashed Bryansburn Rangers 6-0, caught the eye, while Banbridge Rangers and Tullyvallen failed to make advantage of their well known surroundings when they lost 4-0 and 6-1 to respective visitors Glentoran Reserves and Ballynure OB.
TONY Bell is nursing a selection headache ahead of Seagoe’s return to league action this weekend.
Bell shuffled his pack for Saturday’s win over Dunmurry Rec in the Intermediate Cup.
Seagoe emerged with a 4-3 victory following a seven-goal thriller at Tarsan Lane – and they did it minus a number of regular starters.
The club’s season so far has been punctuated by injuries, suspensions, work commitments and Covid-19, with Bell forced to promote a number of young players to his squad.
And they delivered on Saturday, helping Seagoe see off Dunmurry Rec following a ding-dong cup battle.
“We scored after about 30 seconds and then went 2-0 up, and I thought we were cruising,” Bell told Match on Tuesday.
“Dunmurry then came back to level the scores before we edged ahead once again before half-time.
“In the second half Dunmurry got a penalty to make it 3-3, and then we were awarded a penalty which we missed.
“Dean Heasley hit the post, and then the rebound was rattled off the underside of the crossbar and cleared.
“Thankfully Dean scored the winner late on.
“It was a good game played in good spirits and we managed to come away with the win. Dunmurry Rec are a good team and they are better than what their position in 1A suggests.”
Bell added: “It was a rollercoaster of emotions, but the boys were on a high after coming away with the win.
“It could have gone either way as the game progressed, and when you miss a penalty you start thinking it isn’t going to be your day.
“But we got there in the end. “I think we have missed our last three penalties. Dean was confident enough to take it, but that’s the last two he’s missed.”
Bell has been encouraged by Seagoe’s start to the season.
They remain unbeaten after six games in Intermediate B, a record they hope to extend this weekend when they host Dromore Amateurs.
“It has been a decent start,” Bell said. “We have started some games this season with six of our usual line-up missing, either through injury, work and even Covid-19 on a couple of occasions.
“Against Seapatrick we had no team and no bench, and we managed to get a 1-1 draw. And we also missed a penalty in that game. We should have won it.
“We had a good win against Dungannon Tigers away from home, and that was a big result for us.
“I left my centre forward out on Saturday, and we had
Dean Heasley on the bench. I left my captain on the bench, and gave some of the young fellas a run and one of them got man of the match.
“The young lads have been in the squad this season and have done really well. They have stepped in when we were badly short.
“They have done nothing
wrong and they proved they can step up when called upon. They have put a marker down they can play in the first team.
“The young lad who got man of the match on Saturday, Scott Turkington, he was very unlucky to be left out two weeks ago. And I can’t leave him out next Saturday after his man of the match performance at the weekend against Dunmurry. “It is good as a manager knowing these lads can step in. I wasn’t sure how many of them would be ready. But they have given me plenty to think about.” Saturday’s opponents Dromore Amateurs have yet to win a league game this season, but have drawn four of their six games in Intermediate B.
“Dromore haven’t won a league game this season, but they have drawn four of their six games so they are hard to beat,” Bell said.
“And they have earned draws against some decent opposition.
“We play Dromore and Craigavon City in our next two matches. If we can pick up two wins there we will be sitting on 20 points from a possible 24. That would be a very good start.
“But we are under no illusions. “Craigavon City is also a very tough test. They are a strong side who will put it up to you. So we know what to expect.”
The young lads have been in the squad this season and have done really well. They have stepped in when we were badly short.