On-song Southside make gr-eight start to league season

Looking to hit the ground running in this new league campaign, Southside began sharply with some neat passing moves.

The loss of new signing Jack Livingstone after only 10 minutes with a back injury didn’t deter the team from the job in hand.

Ryan Corrigan opened the scoring on 10 minutes when his well hit shot from the left hand side of the penalty area flew into the corner of the net.

Sam McNiece made it 2-0 with a well hit shot on 20 minutes and then direct from a corner he added his second on 25 minutes to give the home side the start they had hoped for.

Just before the half David Calderwood added a fourth following a good passing move down the left hand side. Half Time 4-0.

The second half was not long underway before the lead was increased further. Corey McDowell added number five following a great solo run past three defenders.

Dylan Hamill joined the party with number six on 55 minutes when he raced through the Newtownabbey back line to shoot home.

The domination continued as David Calderwood added his second strike of the match before Sam McNiece put the icing on the cake with number eight to complete his hat trick.

A convincing win with a clean sheet was exactly what the coaching team had hoped for on the opening day of the season.

This will give the team belief and confidence ahead of Saturday’s trip to Belfast for the game against Willowbank.

Southside: Erwin, Allen, Logan (C), McNiece, R Stewart, Bonnes, Kirk, Henry, Calderwood, J Stewart, McDowell, Corrigan, Hamill, McCready, Livingstone.