October 17th 2009 – Home

League

Orangefield 1st XI v Civil Service

With the fifth consecutive home match today against Civil Service, it was important to go for the 3 points and take advantage of the recent fixture draws. Orangefield haven’t had great results against Civil Service in the past couple of seasons so it was important to get the ball off the away side as quickly as possible and create some early chances.

Orangefield though didn’t appear to have come out with the same hunger as the away side who were making the most of the 50 – 50 clashes and reacting quicker to the second ball. Quicker reactions too by a Civil Service midfielder in the box lead to the first goal, the ball dropping in from a flick on and the young lad hitting into the net. Orangefield almost went further behind but for a great challenge by Ryan Hardy in the box, one player on the day who was on his toes and playing well.

Andy D’Arcy had a couple of chances at the other end from decent corners by Jonny Gibson, but was unable to direct them on target and wasted the opportunity to equalize before half-time.

Half-time: 0-1

The first 20 minutes of the second half didn’t see Orangefield create the much needed lift that was demanded at half-time. For some reason the midfield and front men were not creating clear cut chances as they can do and time seemed to be running out for the home team to get back in the game. The team was reshuffled and an extra man was pushed into midfield. That extra man, Sam McNaul, made a difference almost immediately when he went on a surging run through the middle, causing panic in the Civil Service defence. It was just the lift the Orangefield side needed and some of the other players around responded also, creating more chances and pressuring the away side back. With about 15 minutes to go, a good free kick in by Dean Cousins was met by a great leap by Wilsy at the back post, who nodded the home side level. With a quarter of an hour to go, it looked as though the home side may get another one to seal the 3 points, but a couple more wasted opportunities meant the game finished all square and realistically can only be seen as another 2 points dropped.

Full-time: 1-1

Lineup: A. McIntyre, R.Hardy, S. McNaul, A.D’Arcy (Capt), D.Wilson, D.Finlay, J.Gibson, T.Craig, D.Cousins, J. Dempster, Harvey Subs: B.Reynolds, R.McNaul, D.Tittensor