2nd Newtownabbey - 4

62nd Belfast - 3

Saturday 14th October 2000, Belvoir Playing Fields, All Weather Pitch

After a promising start 2nd Newtownabbey fell away in the 1st half. David Cavan and Kofi Opong ran the midfield and it was no surprise that David Cavan opened the scoring with a crashing left foot drive into the bottom corner from 18 yards after persistent play from David Ervine. 2nd then proceeded to lose their composure and gave the ball away too much in midfield, although their tackling was good. The defence played well, but found it hard to cope with only 3 at the back.  Aerial deliveries were easily dealt with by Graeme Dobbin's height and presence but a quick striker proved too much, and 2nd were unlucky to go into the break 2-1 down. A niggling injury forced Graeme to go off at half time, but he was replaced by 1999-2000 player of the year David Moore, who made some vital interceptions as the game went on.

2nd Newtownabbey never really got going in the 2nd period although the game should have been theirs with a couple of unlucky strikes. 2nd Newtownabbey got first blood of the 2nd period with a looping cross come shot from last seasons top scorer Matthew Lander which left the keeper stranded and hit the post and over the line. A little confidence was gained after that booster although 62nd continued to pile on the pressure. On the next break 2nd got, Dave Cavan was unlucky to have his effort disallowed although it had clearly crossed the line. He later tried to bury a shot from 10 yards but was unlucky to see his shot drift narrowly wide of the left hand post. He then made amend with a sweet inswinging corner which was met by Matt Lander's head with some aplomb, 3-2 to 2nd. A quick break from 62nd was finished with a hat-trick goal for their striker but it was not enough and 2nd held out for the 3-3 draw. After the match an extra goal was awarded to 2nd Newtownabbey as 62nd fielded an ineligible player. So the 100% record is intact after the opening day of the league season.

2nd Newtownabbey Lineup

Keith Dobbin, Tom Kyle, Graeme Dobbin, Jonathan Cross, Andrew McLean, David Cavan, Kofi Opong, Scott Alderdice, Andrew Rea, David Ervine, Stephen Warke, David Moore, Matt Lander, Mark McNicol

Goal Scorers:  David Cavan, Matt Lander (2).  An extra goal was awarded to 2nd Newtownabbey as 62nd fielded an ineligible player