Thirds edge fourths in tough battle

Comber Leisure Centre hosted the now customary thirds v fourths Junior League Three encounter last Saturday. As per usual the match started at a frantic pace. The fourths created more of the early chances in the game and did not allow the thirds any time or space on the ball. In fact the more junior team would have taken the league had it not been for a great save from Lee Brown and an equally impressive goal line clearance from Robin McMullan. The breakthrough came much against the run of play with a scramble in the circle resulting in thirds’ striker Scott Moore tucking the ball in from close range.

After a number of short corners the fourths pressure finally told when Ben Willis pounced on a loose ball to drive home for the equaliser.  It was not level terms for long however as Moore once again slotted home to put the 3rds 2-1 up and the score remained this way at half time.

The fourths kept pushing however into the second half and after some fine skill and an inch perfect cross from Sam Brown, Willis again found himself in the right place to apply the neat finish to bring the game level.  The thirds eventually found their passing game and Andy Walls’ men regained their lead after a flowing move saw Moore involved once again, this time turning provider and finding Michael Orr in the opposing circle. Orr swept the ball into the roof of the net with what at the time looked to be a perfect finish but was later revealed, by his own admission, to have been a complete miss-hit.

It counted however and proved to be the winner.  The fourths may justifiably feel they deserved more from the game but it was the thirds who came away with the three points.