Southside boys preparing for fresh challenge

The team have been back in training since early July preparing for the new challenges which face them in the South Belfast Youth League this season.

The SBYL – comprising of 34 teams at under-17 level – have taken the step of introducing Southside straight into the premier division of the league, having assessed the strength of the squad and the historic successful season which they had last term.

The team played their first pre-season friendly when Donegal Celtic visited the new Wakehurst 1 pitch.

However, the west Belfast side emerged as the winner with a narrow 2-1 victory, despite a spectacular 30-yard drive from Southside’s Stewart Nixon.

However, goals from David Calderwood (2), Stewart Nixon, Matthew Henry and Ryan Corrigan secured the team’s first pre-season victory with a 5-2 success over Ridgeway Rovers.

Their third pre-season fixture in the space of just five days was against theElite National League side Limavady.

This game saw the Ballymena boys earn a 3-2 win –with goals coming from the Captain Jonny Logan, Josh McCready and the prolific Sam McNiece.

In their most recent warm-up game on Saturday past, Southside beat Lower Maze 7-0, with goals from David Calderwood (2), Ryan Stewart (2), Sam McNiece, Corey McDowell and Stewart Nixon.

The club have another two friendly fixtures arranged for August 28th against Ballyclare and on August 31st, when they will face Orangefield.

This will conclude the team’s schedule of games ahead of the start of the new season.

Training will continue at Ballee between matches and the league kick-off on September 7.

“It is an exciting time for all at the club as we look forward to the fresh challenge of the SBYL,” says manager Colin Stewart.

“On the pre-season form shown so far, the players are ready for the task ahead and can’t wait for the first day of the new season. “