The Old Campbellian Society

Campbellians have always viewed the Linden Cup as simply "pre-season training", and this season was no different. However originally drawn in a group of just three, and being handed a walkover by Omagh, one win against Ballynahinch was enough to land the Firsts in the Semis.

Harlequins' Deramore complex hosted both matches back to back on Sunday afternoon (South Antrim vs Campbellians and Armagh vs Portrush). This was indeed a "Senior 1 vs Senior 2" day out.

This season, the Senior 2 League title is the priority. With players away over the New Year holiday, and little or no appetite for a New Years Day Final appearance, Campbellians went into the match against their Senior 1 opponents intent only on using it to benchmark their ability to potentially compete in Senior 1 next season. Holders South Antrim were clear favorites, but the men in green wanted to provide stern opposition (and have a bit of Sunday afternoon craic in the process).

Unfortunately, it took just 10 minutes for the East Belfast side to realise that they would have to take it all a bit more seriously if they were to avoid an embarrassing whitewash.

South Antrim's young forwards literally tore Campbellians apart in the opening minutes, with two penalty corners and a penalty stroke, to make it 3 nil in the Lisburn team's favour. Campbellians knew that they had to start playing, and began to lift the pace of their game. The half ended with South Antrim still three up, but Campbellians were definitely back in the match.

The second period saw Campbellians play some excellent approach hockey. Man of The Match Alex Todd tormented the opposition defence down the right hand side. With the exception of a handful of attacks, the South Antrim forwards were closed down by the Campbellians defence, and rarely posed a threat.

This was now virtually all Campbellians. The midfield created numerous great chances; the forwards hounded the South Antrim defence largely blocking their attempts to move the ball upfield; and green shirts won virtually all of the 50/50 tackles. The Senior 2 side was now matching (and often bettering) their Senior 1 opponents all over the pitch.

The pressure mounted, and the Campbellians goal eventually came when CCB pupil Chris Ashenhurst (making only his second appearance for the Firsts) pounced on the rebound from a Chris Maskery strike, sending the ball past the outstretched opposition 'keeper with a superb reverse stick shot.

The remainder of the half continued to be a story of sustained Campbellians pressure. However the Firsts failed to take advantage of a further four penalty corners awarded in their favour (something which they will have to improve upon if promotion is to remain on the cards).

At the final whistle, South Antrim knew that they had lost the second half, and had indeed faced creditable opposition. However, their lightning pace, clinical finishing, and well worked penalty corner routines in the opening minutes of the match deservedly won them a place in the Final.

The men in green were ultimately both content and overjoyed with the result.

"Content" that their performance over 60 of the 70 minutes clearly proved that Campbellians are totally capable of competing in Senior 1. 

"Overjoyed" that they don't have to get up on New Years day.