Saintfield travelled to the Brooke Centre to play Clonard (who are without a league win this season) hoping to back up last weeks commanding win over Bangor Swifts with a similar performance. Unfortunately injury and suspension forced 3 changes to the starting 11 which resulted in a change of system. Saintfield were conscious that their hosts would be targeting this fixture as a possibility to finally earn some league points given the Saints inconsistent form this season.

These factors along with a strong wind and a slick 3g surface led to a very cagey opening 15 mins with Saintfield showing some glimpses of a threat but in truth struggling to find a passing rhythm.

A few half chances came and went and just as the Saints were starting to fear the match would end up like the home game against the same opponents (where Clonard held out for most of the game with 10 men and only conceded 1 goal), Ethan Barr produced a typical driving dribble and his cut back was perfect leaving Johnston-Wood an open net tap in. The lift this gave Saintfield was immediately apparent and their increased intensity forced mistakes from the hosts and Saintfield scored 2 more quick goals, with Johnston-Wood's clean strike overshadowed by Ryan Sofleys goal of the season contender. Callum McCloskey then scored again to continue his recent goal scoring form with a neat finish from a corner. The only negative came on the stroke of half time as Clonard got a lifeline with a converted penalty.

Saintfields half time team talk focused on ensuring they controlled the ball and managed the driving wind and not allow their hosts a route back in to the game.

To their credit the young Saints gave exactly the 2nd half performance their coaches requested. Adam Childs scored an early goal to settle any nerves and only some very tight offside calls prevented Saintfield stretching their lead further. Given their superiority it was surprising they had to wait until the 85th minute with Childs scoring a good second goal. All in all a very good performance and result for Saintfield. A great deal of praise must also go to Clonard who have continued to compete despite struggling for results all season and their discipline yesterday despite the result was a credit to the players and management.