Company Section

On a glorious afternoon at Woodburn playing fields in Carrickfergus, eight companies arrived to battle for the 7-a-side football shield. The competition was played in great spirit by all teams and was a fine example for all spectators that BB football is more about taking part than just winning…..but of course in all competitions there has to be a winner and that honour went to the 1st Greenisland who played consistently throughout winning four matches and drawing one.

Group One was very competitively fought with the result in doubt right up to the last matches. The 1st Ballyclare came bottom despite only conceding one goal in a 1-0 defeat against the 3rd Larne. The 1st Raloo were the draw specialists, drawing all three matches. The winners were the 8th Carrick whose 1-0 victory over the 3rd Larne, alongwith two draws, gave them five points. The only goal was scored by Adam Fittis who pounced on a loose ball after Stuart McCloughlin's shot was blocked. Both drawn matches were goalless, with the defensive line-up of Rhys McConnell and Christopher Ringland holding firm. Excellent link-up play between Kris Dines and Ross Jamison almost paid dividends, but on several occasions shots went narrowly wide. The 3rd Larne qualified for the semi-finals as runners-up with four points.

Group Two was tightly fought between the 7th Carrick and the 1st Greenisland whose opening match 1-1 draw opened the proceedings. Both went on to win their next matches against the 2nd Larne and the 3rd Ballyclare. Strangely, the biggest win of the day went to one of these teams when they played each other with the Larne team winning 5-0.

The 1st Greenisland won their semi-final easily against 3rd Larne by 3-0 but the other match was much tighter between Carrick rivals, the 7th and the 8th. The opening goal was definitely the goal of the tournament - a viciously struck twenty yard free kick which was drilled high into the net by Curtis Bell of the 7th in the first minute. The 8th drew level when Adam Fittis dummied and turned before stabbing the ball past the keeper from eight yards. At 1-1 in regulation time, the match went to penalties with first year boy Oliver Watson saving a penalty as the 8th won 3-2.

The final was dominated by the 1st Greenisland due to two early goals which gave them a 2-0 victory. All-in-all it was an excellent performance by the 8th Carrick, and a great afternoon for all present.