Saintfield continued their run of recent games against 1c promotion challenging sides with Saturdays visit to Shorts.

In blustery conditions Saintfield started well testing the home defence throughout the opening 20 mins however some wayward finishing and poor final balls meant the scoreboard wasn't troubled.

Fortunate not to be behind Shorts started to grow into the game and forced a good save from Harper with a shot from the edge of the box by their no 9. Saintfield responded and controlled the majority of the remainder of the half finally converting a chance with a great finish from Tony Liken giving them a deserved lead. Saintfield should probably have stretched their lead but Shorts defence held out. Then on the verge of half time a cross from a softly awarded free kick caught Saintfield with one foot already in the changing room and despite a couple of chances to clear Saintfield presented the ball to a Shorts player inside the 6 yard box and he managed to scramble the ball into the net.

The gifted goal gave Shorts real momentum at the start of the second half and they forced a succession of set pieces but couldn't convert any. The game then moved into a fairly even period with both teams creating opportunities but neither keeper being really truly tested until a shot from distance from the Shorts number 10 found the bottom corner.

Saintfield turned to their bench to re-energise their play and Andy Clarke with his first involvement in the game kept a back post set piece alive and found Joshua Johnston Wood at the edge of the box who finished well first time.

With time running out it looked as though both sides would have to settle for a point each and as the referee lifted his whistle to his lips Saintfield tried a quick counter attack down their left only to concede possession. Shorts forced the ball into the Saintfield box and an almighty scramble saw the ball ricochet around before trickling into the corner of the Saintfield goal.

Saintfield definitely deserved at least a draw from the game if not more and although the exuberance of youth trying to win a game is understandable the manner in which this young side lost the game was another harsh lesson learnt.