Amateurs slip to defeat

Crumlin Star 3

Dromore Amateurs 1

DROMORE Amateurs put up a sterling performance against 1C leaders Crumlin Star on Saturday and were unlucky to slip to a 3-1 defeat.

The hosts - who play their home games on the 3G surface of Solitude, home of Irish League side Cliftonville - started strongly but Dromore defended resolutely and limited them to long-range efforts.

C Gilliland went close for the Amateurs with an ambitious volley from 20 yards which just nipped over the cross bar.

But on the stroke of half-time, Crumlin went ahead with a headed effort after Dromore failed to clear a corner properly - although there was a hint of offside. Within five minutes of the restart, Dromore were level. Gilliland picked up a loose ball in the middle of park and passed to K Duncan who drove forward and played a slide rule pass to Downey who side-footed calmly past the keeper. The game hung in the balance until the 72nd minute when a moment of brilliance edged Crumlin in front - a midfielder pile-drived an shot into the top corner from 25 yards, leaving keeper N Beggs with no chance. Crumilin sealed the points in the final minute when they converted a penalty to give them a rather flattering 3-1 victory over a hard-working and determined Dromore side.

Dromore Amateurs Seconds 0

Millburn 4

Someday, everything is going to click together and the Amateurs seconds are going to run riot against some unfortunate souls.

Well, that's the theory anyway.

In the meantime, the goal famine - and hence the losing streak - continues.

Creating chances are not the problem, it's converting them that's the real conundrum - in the Mid Ulster Shield on Saturday, Dromore hit the woodwork twice and missed two other gilt-edged chances.

Those misses proved expensive as Millburn - who ply their trade in Division One of the Carnbane League - took full advantage of defensive lapses to secure a 4-0 victory.

The Millburn lads certainly enjoyed their visit to Dromore both on and off the pitch - they proved to be very gracious guests in the clubrooms after the match and the Amateurs wish them every success for the season ahead.

Team: S Burden, D McCauley, R Ward, R McMurray, A Noble, A Begley, P Gordon, A Smart, P Beggs, Seb, D Brownlee. Subs: T Stewart, R Woods, R Wells.

* The chairman, committee and members of Dromore Amateurs extend their sincerest sympathies to the Poots family on the passing of popular former player, Chris.

* The winner of the Club 100 draw with number 28 was Colin Gilliland.

* On Saturday, the firsts make the arduous journey to Ballywalter while the seconds play host to 18th Newtownabbey OB at Ferris Park.