The Old Campbellian Society

Whilst the obese female has yet to unleash the harmonics, it looks as though Campbellians have waited right until the death to hand the Senior 2 title to Ballynahinch.

This tight encounter against the PSNI at UUJ on Tuesday evening resulted in a one all draw, after another litany of missed chances for the visitors.

Campbellians began superbly, passing the ball with speed and accuracy; carving up the PSNI midfield and defence; and creating a number of excellent chances. But it was the 24th minute before the visitors opened the scoring. Chris Maskery attacked through the midfield and slipped the ball to Andy Burnside on the right. Burnside skilfully weaved his way to the back line and swept it back to the top of the circle, where the waiting David Deane wasted no time in burying it in the back of the PSNI net.

The home side countered before the end of the half, and the resulting penalty corner gave Chris Barnes his first (and only) opportunity to unleash his much vaunted drag flick. However the effort was easily dealt with by Pete Gray in the Campbellians goal. Much has been uttered about the PSNI’s “hired gun”; and indeed there was an occasional glimpse of the skill of old. However some excellent man to man marking by Scott Orr meant that Barnes effectively failed to get a look in.

Except that is for the four and a half seconds during which he received the ball on the edge of the Campbellians circle, slipped his marker, and unleashed a gem of a reverse stick shot past the outstretched Pete Gray to level the scoreline just before half time.

In the second period, both sides had chances, but the pressure was mainly created by Campbellians.This inevitably left the visitors vulnerable on the break as they pressed for the vital 3 points, but the defence held firm on the handful of occasions the PSNI threatened (with Man of The Match Reuben Barry in determined and impressive form).

Campbellians continued to go all out for the win, but the ball simply refused to go in the net (due to the occasional brilliance of the PSNI ‘keeper and the visitors’ continued inability to convert the chances).

With just over a minute to go, Campbellians won their eighth penalty corner of the evening, and with it the opportunity to guarantee at least a playoff for the S2 title. However, yet again, the opportunity went begging and it remained all square at the final whistle.

With Foyle unable to travel to Belfast for the last scheduled fixture of the season this Saturday, Campbellians have finished the season unbeaten with a total of 46 points.

However if, as expected, second placed Ballynahinch can mop up 6 points from their last two matches (against Parkview and Ballymena) the County Down side will pip Campbellians at the post, and bounce back to Senior 1 with a total of 48 points.

Heartbreaking as that may be for the men in green, they could in reality have done little more to secure the title.

Campbellians have a young squad of enthusiastic and committed players, and Coach Maskery’s tactics have been absolutely spot on all season.

The 1stX1 has been widely praised for playing by far the best approach hockey in Senior 2, and they can hold their heads up high for finishing unbeaten in the League.

The players have put heart and soul into this season. However, the squad has clearly lacked a natural, clinical, goal-scoring “machine” and this has effectively been the “deal breaker”.

The Campbellians players only had to look at the PSNI Centre Forward on Tuesday evening  -  frozen out for most of the match, but knew instinctively what he had to do on the single occasion an opportunity arose (and did it with a robotic ease).

Campbellians need to add at least two natural goal scorers to the squad next season if they are to either remain in Senior 1 (come on Parkview and Ballymena!) or have an excellent chance of winning Senior 2 within the original target of five years.

The Senior 2 Title outcome now rests with Ballynahinch and their two remaining fixtures.Campbellians can do nothing more to affect the outcome.

However the players can be proud of everything they have achieved this season, and look to a sparkling future with utmost confidence.