The Old Campbellian Society

The Firsts took another level headed step towards the Senior 2 title, with a measured 4 Nil win against visitors Ballymena.

Always difficult to break down, Ballymena proved resolute during the first ten minutes and Campbellians looked the worse for little or no match practice in 2010.

However the home side began to settle and pass the ball around with pace. This led to the first goal on 16 minutes. A sublime string of nine passes from the back finally saw the ball drilled across the Ballymena circle from the left of the pitch, to leave Andy Burnside (diving at full stretch) the last man to make contact before it ended up in the visitors' net. One nil.

Shortly afterwards, Joel Easlea picked up on a loose ball after a Campbellians penalty corner routine had broken down. He took his chance with great composure, drilling the ball past the outstretched Graham Shaw in the Ballymena goal.

Two nil at the end of the first period, and Campbellians were beginning to flow. Ballymena strung together half a dozen decents attacks in the second half, but the home side's back line stood firm, and the midfield was sharp on the break, rapidly turning defence into attack.

Campbellians were awarded another penalty corner on 45 minutes. Once again the initial move broke down; but Andy Burnside was on hand for his second of the day with a peach of a strike from the right hand edge of the circle, which gave Shaw absolutely no chance.

It was all Campbellians for the remainder of the match. The final goal started with Joel Easlea despatching a glorious high ball from the centre spot, which dropped to the right of the opposition circle. At full tilt Adam Campbell expertly picked it up, beat the defender, drew the 'keeper to the right and hammered the ball into the corner of the net..................or so it looked from the sideline. In fact, the ball bounced off Shaw's pads and would have gone a begging if Conor Bannister had not had the presence of mind to race in and tap it into the net. Four Nil.

This was a composed performance by Campbellians. At least two of the goals would probably have been swiped at (and resulted in misses) in previous seasons; something which only goes to prove just how much this squad has matured.

The downside is that three penalty corners were squandered, as were at least five additional chances during open play. This is something which would not go unpunished at a higher level.

This win was very much a step in the right direction; but the players know they must remain focussed on the job in hand for the remainder of the season.