Under strength Riada lose out to Bushmills

Missing a number of regulars Riada were forced to name two goalkeepers on the bench and included three players who had played in the morning for the reserves.

The game began in stiffling heat, Bushmills began the stronger as Riada took time to settle with all the changes.

Half an hour in and Bushmills were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal from the resulting save the Bushmills forward reacted quickest and tucked away the rebound to make it one nil.

Five minutes later a Bushmills forward was then sent through one on one with the keeper he struck the ball towards the net but O’Neill produced a fingertip save touching the ball away for a corner. Good work down the left from Simpson and Parkhill resulted in Parkhill crossing to the near post where McMullan was on hand to equalise for Riada, and that was how it remained until half time. Riada started the second half slowly allowing Bushmills time on the ball though they couldn’t create any chances.

McLernon then took a quick throw in to set McMullan through on goal with only the keeper to beat but the referee blew the whistle for off-side leaving everyone confused.

Then on 60 minutes a ball played to the back post found a Bushmills forward standing all alone and he easily headed into the net to make it 2-1.

Ten minutes later a long ball caused a mix up in the centre of Riadas’ defence again leaving Neill with the simple task of finishing to leave the score at 3-1.

Riada tried to push forward but couldn’t get the goal which would have got them back into the game. Although the game ended in defeat Riada can take alot of positives out of this game considering the number of players they were missing and on another day could well have got somthing out of the game, the work rate and committment shown once again was commendable.