Throughout the week both sides were in doubt that Saturdays game would go ahead due to the amount of rain falling all over the north west with many worrying the pitch would be declared unplayable. During the both sides warm up the referee and ground staff inspected the pitch with a conclusion that the match would go ahead but on the neighbouring pitch instead. Both teams were just happy to hear the match would be going ahead as scheduled.
Glendermott kicked off and saw a few glimpses off early possession but never really threatened to create many openings in the Burnfoot half. During the early stages off the match Burnfoot were the better side putting Glendermott under pressure, making them defend alot of corners and many long throw-ins. The Glendermott defence commanded their area well seeing Clark Smy and Mark Campbell winning the majority off the headers along with the two full backs clearing there lines successfully. When Glendermott got the ball down their main threats were down the wings especially with the pace of Karl Abbott on the right hand side. Around the half hour mark the Brown Bears wingers started getting frustrated as the Burnfoot defence won alot of the headers and passed the ball about between them well frustrating the front 3. Up until this time both keepers had very little to do until the ball broke on the edge of the box to a Burnfoot striker who connected with a great strike that went through bodies and heading for the top corner only to see Niall Donaghey pulling out a magical save and putting the ball out for a corner. This was a sign off things to come from the talented shot stopper. Not long after this yet another strike saw the keeper get his finger tips to the ball and save his sides blushes again. This was a major wake up call for the men in red who were lucky to be still level. Around the 40 minute mark seen Adrian Donaghey chest a ball down only for the big centre half to plough through the back of him giving Glendermott a free kick from around 30 yards out. Matthew Kirkwood and Ricky McClelland debated their options but choose to go with Ricky taking the freekick and putting a flighted ball into the back post between the defenders and keeper which saw Adrian Donaghey gamble and slide in putting the ball into the back of the Burnfoot net - great finish.
Half Time:Glendermott 1-0 Burnfoot
The Glens were very fortunate to be going in at half time 1-0 up with David Robison giving the boys a good shaking up!
From the off Glendermott showed real energy and determination to close the Burnfoot men down allowing them no time to get into their stride - The exact response the manager wanted to see from his men! Unfortunately this only lasted for 10 minutes and Glendermott were on the back foot again putting themselves on the line to limit the on-coming waves off attack from any chances. David decided to change things by bringing on Alan Lynch to sit in beside the very dependable Mark Nurse who as always ran the shirt off his back battling for every single ball - This allowed Ricky McClelland to push further forward and added a bit of height to the Glendermott midfield which was needed throughout the game. Again both sides created very little until Burnfoots number 10 seen a chance firing a beautiful shot at the Glendermott net which seemed destined for the onion bag until yet again Niall Donaghey got a very strong hand to the ball pushing it out for yet another corner - This saw the home team scramble clearances allowing the away side to get 4/5 more corners in succession. A short period of time later Glendermott broke down the left hand side which got Kyle Ross involved, showing some strength holding the ball up and playing a beautifully weighted pass into the greatful Ricky McClelland who beat his men and fired a low shot into the bottom corner off the away sides net. Yet again Glendermott made their chance count when realistically they could have been 2 or 3 down. David Robison changed it up adding a bit more pace up front by bringing on Jordan Abbott who is always an excellent outlet when under pressure. As the Glens were two up and seeing the game out the manager yet again brought on Wee/Big T - This again was another substitue that paid off well for the men in red. Adam Taylor broke onto a loose ball and saw him run the length off the half only to see the Burnfoot centre half getting a toe in before he could get his shot off. A short period of time later Glendermott got a corner kick which they decided to take short and hold in the corner - or did they? No, The big man decided to take it upon himself to do "some sort of trick" leaving the two Burnfoot defenders looking at each other in horror as he ran into the box, got his strike off which then deflected up nicely for the on-coming Jordan Abbott to head in at the back post!
The last 5 minutes saw Glendermott trying to see out the game - Suprisingly the ref decided to give the away side a penalty when a ball bounced up and hit Alan Lynch on the chest - The home side were fuming as they had defended so hard to keep a clean sheet... The Burnfoot striker seemed nervous over the penalty which wasnt surprisng due to the form Glendermotts keeper was showing all day. The striker placed a well hit penalty towards the keepers bottom left hand corner only to see him yet again be equal to it, pushing it around the post.
Full time: Glendermott 3-0 Burnfoot
Excellent team performance for the Brown Bears who showed real determination and discipline throughout against a very tough and physical Burnfoot side who on another day might have had a couple of goals. The Glendermott boys must get the heads down again, train well on Tuesday and Thursday and get themselves geared up for a massive fixture against Lisahally next weekend.
