Mens 1st XI

13/09/08 Saintfield v East Antrim (Linden Cup)

27/09/08 Saintfield v Cliftonville (Linden Cup)

04/10/08 Saintfield v Down (League)

Mens 2nd XI

20/09/08 Saintfield II v Newry IV (League)

27/09/08 Saintfield II v N.I.C.S. VI (League)

Ladies 1st XI

Ladies 2nd XI

Mens 1st XI

13/09/08 Saintfield v East Antrim (Linden Cup)

Saintfield 6
East Antrim 0

SAINTFIELD started the new season in brilliant form with a thumping 6-0 win over East Antrim at The Demesne last weekend with Richard Owens grabbing a hat-trick.
With Cliftonville also in their Linden Cup group, which side seals a place in the semi-finals could be decided on goal difference.
But Saintfield, who face the Belfast outfit in two weeks' time, could book their semi-final place if they win that one. The locals are keen to make it to the New Year's Day final and also put in a good performance in Senior Two, but for now, the focus is on the Linden Cup.
Saintfield were in rampant mood last Saturday despite missing a host of their big names, including Davy Johnston, Alan Buchanan, Chris Telford, Lance Walker, Gareth Lennon and Gavin Kirkpatrick.
They scored six goals, but the locals could easily have doubled that. They were so much in command that goalkeeper, Graeme Finlay, did not have one save to make all afternoon.
Starting with Ian Weir up front, the home side were keen to seize the upper hand in the crucial early stages and dangerman, Conor Ferguson, was again outstanding throughout.
Conor Patterson almost put his side ahead in the sixth minute, but his shot whistled past the wrong side of the post. Weir also went close before Willie Heaney was taken out by the East Antrim 'keeper. With the home players waiting for the umpire to award a penalty stroke, he signalled a short corner. All was forgiven however when Saintfield took the lead from the resultant set piece.
The push out was stopped and controlled by Nigel Jackson who took aim before drilling the ball past the 'keeper who didn't have time to move before the ball struck the backboard.
Weir again then went close as did Saintfield skipper, Matt Owen, and when Heaney had the goal at his mercy he was dazzled by the sight of his name in lights and screwed the ball past the wrong side of the post. Adam Thompson looked as though he was going to increase his side's lead, but he too fired wide.
East Antrim went into the break just one goal in arrears but their opponents refused to panic and normal service was resumed in the second half when they scored five goals without reply.
Ferguson made it 2-0 when he nipped to force the ball over the line after the 'keeper saved Patterson's shot and Owens then made it 3-0 when he scored the first of his three goals. He used all his guile and experience to let the 'keeper go to ground before calmly flicking it over him into the net.
East Antrim threw in the towel at this stage and it was then simply going to be a case of how many the home side would score.
Owens scored his second and his side's fourth from play and Patterson's industrious efforts were rewarded when he got on the scoresheet to leave his side comfortably ahead at 5-0. But the scoring wasn't over.
Ferguson and Owens then combined to allow the latter to make it 6-0 and to complete his hat-trick. East Antrim were no match for the home outfit who got their new season off to the perfect start.
With no game this weekend, Saintfield will be working hard on the training ground preparing for the clash against Cliftonville on September 27.

27/09/08 Saintfield v Cliftonville (Linden Cup)

Cliftonville 4
Saintfield 1

SAINTFIELD missed out on a chance to book a place in the semi-finals of this year's Linden Cup.
Despite missing a number of key players, the Demesne outfit played well and with the scores locked at 1-1, they created a number of chances to take the lead in the cup tie against Cliftonville now coached by Julian Stevenson.
Saintfield, who were forced to draft in a number of their second eleven players, started brightly and skipper, Matt Owen, went close early on, but his rasping shot screamed past the wrong side of the post.
Not surprisingly, Cliftonville enjoyed a lot of the possession and with Stevenson pulling the strings, the visitors had to work hard, particularly in the middle of the park.
It was backs-to-the-wall stuff for the visitors and it was no surprise when Cliftonville took the lead midway through the half. Saints 'keeper, Graeme Finlay, who was once again in top form, produced a great save to deny a home forward, but the rebound fell to a colleague who drilled it into the back of the net.
To their credit, the visitors did not capitulate and came back fighting. Conor Ferguson, another of Saintfield's top performers on the day, grabbed the equaliser after latching on to a great pass from Nigel Jackson.
Both sides went close to increasing their lead, with Finlay keeping the Cliftonville players at bay and Ferguson and Jackson going close at the other end.
The home side took a 2-1 lead following a short corner. Finlay again made the initial save, but cruelly the rebound went straight back to an unmarked forward who scored.
With nothing to lose, Saintfield committed men forward in search of an equaliser and while they created a number of half chances they couldn't make any inroads.
Their fitness also told in the blazing sun during the second period and Cliftonville scored two more goals to book their place in the semi-finals. The home side could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty stroke, which crashed against the crossbar in the dying embers of the game.
With the cup-tie now out of the way, all attention switches to this weekend's opening Senior Two derby tie against neighbours Down.
Relegated from Senior One last season, the Malone Park outfit aims to bounce straight back, but Saintfield are a far better side than they were two seasons ago when the sides last met.
The weekend tie promises to be a cracker with both teams going for a win to send out a clear signal to everyone else in the league that they aim to life the title come April.

04/10/08 Saintfield v Down (League)

Saintfield 1
Down 5

DOWN sent out a warning to their main title rivals with an emphatic derby win over Saintfield last weekend.
The opening game of the season in Senior Two was played in atrocious conditions at The Demesne and it ended in controversy with Saintfield furious the umpire awarded the visitors a fifth goal with just under 10 minutes to go.
Both sides knew the importance of not only stating the new season with a win, but gaining a crucial psychological advantage over their title rivals.
Two seasons ago, the local sides slugged it out all the way to the wire and Saintfield, who produced some great performances last season, are keen to prove they are good enough to be considered as serious title contenders.
But they flattered to deceive in parts and Down's goalkeeper, Mark Johnston was rarely troubled, unlike his opposite number Graeme Finlay.
Down were missing Aaron Minnis, Chris Taylor and Adam McKee, while Saintfield were also not at full strength, missing Paul Fenton, Gavin Kirkpatrick, Gareth Lennon, Lance Walker and Chris Telford.
The heavy rain ensured there would be no free-flowing hockey on a sodden, wet pitch and, like two prize fighters weighing up each other before the first telling punch was landed, Saintfield and Down engaged in a little shadow boxing before the visitors seized the early advantage.
Paul Tate ensured Down got off to a flying start following a short corner awarded in the third minute. The ball was worked to Sinclair White who unleashed a powerful shot, which Tate intended to deflect past Finlay.
Instead, the Down man inadvertently stopped the ball dead before producing a sublime reverse stick shot which confused the Saintfield defence, with the ball just crossing the line.
The home side did not cave in and while the conditions were difficult, the players tried to play constructive hockey. Richard Owens and Matt Owen worked hard in the middle of the park, but they found it difficult to pick the Down defence.
However, they didn't have to wait long to finally find a way through. A clever pass picked out one of the Saintfield club's rising stars, Conor Patterson, who picked his spot past Mark Johnston.
The goal provided the home players with a tremendous lift, but Down battled back to regain the lead three minutes later.
Again it was that man Tate who was in the right place at the right time to score and what a goal it was. With the ball seemingly stuck between his feet and surrounded by a gaggle of Saintfield defenders, the Down man somehow managed to break free with the ball, which he then smashed past Finlay.
Owens was then sin-binned by the umpire before the break, with the same punishment handed out to Down's Stephen Ferguson in the second period.
With just one goal in arrears at the interval, Saintfield were confident of getting back on level terms in the second period, but they will be bitterly disappointed they didn't manage to get a single shot in on goal. Down's 'keeper Johnston was more worried about the pouring rain than the threat posed by the Saintfield strikers.
The visitors went 3-1 ahead in the 48th minute when Mark Elliott scored his eighth goal in three games. He collected a pass from Ferguson on the right and when he made his way into the circle, he drew Finlay off his line and tucked the ball home from close range.
The goal proved to be the killer punch for the home side and while it tried to mount a number of attacks, play kept breaking down before it got near the heart of the visitors' penalty area.
Stephen Ferguson scored a typical trademark goal in the 52nd minute with a powerful strike which gave the exposed Finlay no chance from point blank range and it was game over.
With less than 10 minutes to go, Down were awarded a controversial fifth "goal" which upset the home players who remonstrated with the official.
White drove a powerful free hit into the heart of the penalty area and the ball ended up in the net, but Tate wheeled away in celebration claiming he got the slightest of touches on the ball before it crossed the line. While the goal had no impact on the outcome of the game, the Saintfield players were furious.
At the final whistle, the scoreline reflected how much Down had commanded a game which they had prepared for meticulously. They didn't want to leave anything to chance and had no intention of not respecting their opponents.
This weekend, Down are red-hot favourites against Omagh at Malone Park, while Saintfield face Ballymena. It's a game The Demesne outfit should win and they know that even at this early stage, they can't afford to fall to far back in the race for the title.

Mens 2nd XI

20/09/08 Saintfield II v Newry IV (League)

Saintfield II 5
Newry IV 2

SAINTFIELD seconds are off and running in Junior 6, opening their account, with a thumping 5-2 win over Newry fourths last weekend.
Newry travelled with a strong side and were at home on the shale surface, with both sides evenly matched during the opening 10 minutes.
Newry created the first real chance of the game in the 15th minute, but Graeme Finlay produced a great save. The save proved to be the turning point as five minutes later Saintfield took the lead.
A superb move involving William Heaney and Paul Fenton saw the ball worked up the pitch at speed. Fenton picked out Conor Ferguson who stepped into the circle and unleashed a shot which bounced over a defender's stick and rolled into the goal just out of reach of the Minutes later, Saintfield doubled their advantage when Ferguson broke through into the circle after a superb run and lashed the ball past the 'keeper.
After this Newry upped the tempo and put Saintfield under some pressure but some great defending from Michael Allen kept them at bay. Saintfield also went close with efforts from Ferguson and Dougie Reid, but were unable to extend their lead before the break.
After the interval, Newry piled on the pressure once again, catching Saintfield out on the break several times, but once again Finlay was on hand to avert the danger.
Saintfield got their passing game going again and midway through the half made it 3-0.  Saintfield were awarded a short corner through the efforts of Fenton and Ferguson and when the ball came to Davy Hobbs he slipped it to Reid, who fired past the 'keeper.
Minutes later, Newry pulled one back; a surging drive down saw a Newry striker in a one-on-one with Finlay who managed to save the initial shot, but an unlucky rebound off his pads saw the ball fall back into the path of the forward who made no mistake with the second attempt.
Saintfield continued to push on to extend their lead and made a breakthrough within a couple of minutes of the restart. Sammy Davidson was the man on hand to extend the lead. But straight away Newry, were on the attack winning a short corner. The set piece was well taken and Newry managed to get a quick shot away narrowly beating Finlay.
Aaron Kearney went close moments later when a superb cross from Ferguson found him at the back post but the Newry 'keeper pulled off a fantastic save to deny him.
With 10 minutes to go, Reid fired home after a perfect pass found him in the circle and he unleashed a powerful shot, which flew into the net.

27/09/08 Saintfield II v N.I.C.S. VI (League)

NICS VI        1
Saintfield II 4

SAINTFIELD seconds are certainly enjoying life in Junior 6.
They won again last weekend at Stormont against Civil Service sixths with an impressive performance, which saw them score four goals on the shale pitch.
Saintfield started without Dougie Reid but welcomed back Steven Tate and Gordon Marshall. Both teams seemed to struggle with the uneven surface in the opening exchanges, but the home side quickly adapted and put pressure on the locals.
There was an early scare when Saintfield 'keeper, Marty Johnston, raced off his line to force a forward to fire the ball wide of the post, but he collided with skipper Bertie Hamilton leaving both players on the ground injured. Thankfully, after a few minutes, both players were back on their feet.
Once Saintfield got used to the surface, they managed to mount several useful attacks, with Henry Ward and Connor Patterson linking well on the right and Tate and Paul Fenton in the middle.
The home side took the lead in the 20th minute after catching Saintfield on the break. Some fantastic build up play from the home side saw them break through the Saintfield defence and with Johnston out of position a midfielder scored with ease.
But the visitors hit back immediately. A scintillating run from Tate saw him beat several players and fire the ball past the keeper and, within two minutes of the restart, Saintfield took the lead through Ian Weir.
The visitors won a short corner and while the initial shot from Connor Patterson was saved by the 'keeper, Weir was on hand to pick up the rebound and slide it home.
Saintfield had the majority of possession in the second period with Marshall and Tate both going close in the opening exchanges, but neither could get the ball on target.
Civil Service had real trouble coping with Tate's ability to dribble the ball on the bumpy surface; time and time again he worked the ball into the circle and in the 45th minute he unleashed an unstoppable shot which flew into the net.
Within minutes of the push back Saintfield came close again when Lawrence Murphy picked out Aaron Kearney who turned and shot, but the ball struck the post and rebounded to safety. Fenton then went close two minutes later.
With 10 minutes to go, Weir scored his second of the game after a super pass from Sammy Davidson. Saintfield continued to press with Davidson, Tate and Patterson all going close. This weekend, Saintfield seconds face Antrim fourths at home.

Ladies 1st XI

Ladies 2nd XI