East Antrim BB U18 2

ANTRIM Boys’ Brigade produced a heroic performance last week by overcoming holders and local rivals East Antrim in the opening match of this year’s Northern Ireland Inter Battalion Under 18 Competition.

Having lost several key members of last year’s squad, some had predicted that Antrim would struggle to cope in this year’s competition. Add to this the fact that Antrim Under 18s have never before made it to the final of this competition and you begin to realise the size of the task ahead of the local team.

Yet what makes this win even more incredible is the fact that Antrim are the smallest battalion in Northern Ireland, with only 10 BB companies to choose from compared to the scores of companies that make up some of the other teams such as Belfast and Portadown.

However, the nucleus of previous successful Antrim teams had remained in tact for this year, with many boys playing in their last BB competition determined to bow out on a high.

And the local lads got off to a flying start by taking the lead after 25 minutes through Craig Evans’ rasping shot from over 20 yards. After a nervous opening this seemed to settle the boys down and they began playing some better football, ending the half with some neat interchanges between Aaron Mitchell and Adam Gray.

However, all the action was to happen in the second half, as East Antrim equalised almost immediately after half time and then suddenly seized control of the game by taking the lead through a long free kick pumped into the Antrim area which the defence failed to deal with.

But this Antrim side has been renowned through the years for their never say die attitude and incredible team spirit, and they never stopped working as they searched for the equaliser. A quick reshuffle in formation showed Antrim’s intent as Chris McMullan pushed into midfield, freeing up the lively Gray to get forward more and more. Mitchell and Gray both went close but it was the persistent run of the tireless Gary McMeekin which resulted in a penalty kick being awarded which was duly slotted home by Gray.

Buoyed by that, Antrim continued pressing and with less than five minutes on the clock, substitute Karl Baird somehow managed to get his toe on the end of a cross that seemed to have eluded everyone in the East Antrim box, and he bundled the ball into the net to the delight of the Antrim players and the home supporters.

The inevitable waves of East Antrim attacks came and went in the dying minutes but the Antrim defence, marshalled well by captain Evans, held firm for a dramatic and famous victory. It may only have been the opening match, but this win sets the boys up extremely well for the rest of the competition.