20/09/2026
📢 RESULTS 📢
Saintfield 1stXI 2 - 2 Portrush 1stXI – Points conceded by Portrush
🏑 Goalscorers: Andy Cherry, Doug Barrett-Ferris
🏆 MotM: Conor Ferguson
👛Sponsor: Saintfield Nursery Centre
The 1sts welcomed Portrush on Saturday afternoon in their second Linden cup match in balmy early Autumn conditions. Saintfield started strong early, winning the ball back in the Portrush half and getting in around the D early and leading to a goal for front man Andy Cherry, pinging the ball in off the defender and past the keeper to give Saints the lead. Chances came at both ends, with Captain Andy Kirk getting into great position at the back post but just missing out with this first-time attempt past the left post, while the defence worked hard to keep out a strong set of running attacks from the agile Portrush midfield. Conor Ferguson led by example in the midfield, carrying the ball well and setting the standard with his exceptional work rate.
Portrush came out rejuvenated in the second quarter and after some pressure were eventually able to find an equaliser through a well taken short corner after Ben Armstrong’s previous saves. A back-and-forth quarter ended with both sides level at 1-1 at the half.
The game opened up in the third quarter and in favour of Saintfield, and their pressure going forward told: a quickly taken long corner from Matthew Lennon to Chris Lennon found a foot in the D, and Doug Barrett-Ferris stepped out to slot the resulting short corner into the top right corner, dragged powerfully enough to make the keeper’s stick contact irrelevant. 2-1 Saints. The game became more end-to-end, and after some confusion with a long corner, Portrush capitalised and were able to flick the ball through the Saints to find another equaliser.
Saints were hunting for a first victory of the season and spent much of the fourth quarter camped in the Portrush half hungry for a decisive goal, only to be continually denied by last-ditch defending and some solid goalkeeping from Portrush. Captain Kirk went close from short corners and had another chance on reverse go agonisingly close, but despite all of the attacking hockey being played by both sides, neither could find the breakthrough. FT 2-2.
Another solid performance from the 1s and an enjoyable and entertaining game played in great spirit from both sides.
🏑💙
