by our Special Correspondents
As part of the build up to the annual Johnny McCollum cup SWS presents official match coverage from last season…better late than never:
The long-awaited day had finally come…college classes on Dispensationalism, Marx, Hegel, Feuerbach and Dialectical Materialism. Those RTC students who felt they had mastered these topics in the morning then made their way to the Ozone to be joined by ministers, short-term servants and RTC auditors past and present for the equally demanding task of facing a rampant Renwick House FC with 6 wins and 53 goals under their belts already in their league season.
The Ministers were even bigger underdogs than they are every year because of a squad severely depleted in the weeks running up to the match, with a variety of reasons offered for a large number of men being unavailable. The Ministers were deprived of 4 key players: the machine like winger Billy Hamilton; Simon Sweeney (who has been AWOL since he entered the Southern Presbytery); the endless running of Robb Robb (so good they named him twice like Eric Djemba Djemba); and the finest right winger in the denomination. Also, with David McCullough turning down the opportunity to be the first serving Moderator to represent the team, the captain’s armband went to the veteran Prof Wilson. Rev Bun, with more caps for the Ministers than most ministers, was joined on the left flank by new signing Jonny McCollum. Rev Cromie, qualifying through his maternal grandfather, signed up just before kick off after the late withdrawal of Rev Sutherland – who commendably pulled out in order to go and evangelise someone. Rev Cromie was a constant threat with his energetic running and honourably chose to keep the white shirt on for 90 minutes rather than exchange it for a black one at half time. Rev PMO’s Cullybackey-isation continued with him sporting a large beard, and was even heard to declare one pass “pure wick brilliant”.
Donegal’s finest export since Daniel O’Donnell
With the crowd chanting “there’s only 2 Robert McCollums”, Strob Jnr let the students know immediately that they were in a man’s world – munching Andy Lynch in the first 5 seconds. Early on in the game Aggers asked Renwick talisman McCavery to get into his pocket and he duly obliged. The Ministers had the best of the early exchanges. Andy Lytle’s big kicks were asking questions of the Renwick back four and they can only hope they answered better in their January exams. Cromie Robert in particular was causing problems and had the first real chance of the match. Strob with a big tackle won possession back, then played an exquisite ball through the Renwick back four. Cromie’s excellent first touch took him past G Smith and the Donegal man fired off a shot, but the jungle-haired goalkeeper pulled off a fine full length save. The rebound fell to the lurking J Loughridge who closed his eyes and took a swing with his not-so-trusty left peg. The shot beat defender and goalkeeper, heading for the onion bag until Gareth Smith appeared out of nowhere and shinned it clear. An aStute clearance by the big man and a key moment in the match.
Could have gone anywhere…but so close to taking the lead
Shortly after, and against the run of play, four or five Renwick players broke through the Ministers’ apologetic, with the ball eventually being slipped to an unmarked Ian Buchanan who calmly sidefooted home from 10 yards. The Ministers were still well in the game and had several half chances; including a fizzing, outside of the boot, half-volley by Jonny. Also, some weak refereeing turned down an opportunistic penalty appeal. Instead, young Carson followed many higher level referees by giving the goalkeeper an inordinate amount of protection following a totally fair tackle by Cromie.
Right on the blow for HT the Ministers conceded a sloppy and disappointing goal. Poor marking at a corner allowed Tim McCollum to flick in a fairly tame finish at the front post, continuing a prolific scoring run for the finest of the three McCollum brothers. The half-time whistle sounded immediately as the ball rested in the back of the net, causing more than a few questioning glances from the Ministers team to the ref! Maybe a touch of ‘Fergie Time’ played?!
Tim knocks in number 2 (in the 52nd minute of the first half!)
This goal was a massive blow to The Revs who had undeniably had the better of the first half yet found themselves 2 goals down. Big Lytle kicks were causing problems deep in the Renwick half. Jonny was out skillzing Skillz. Bun Delap’s big throws and Dowie’s flick-ons caused panic. Strob and Bajko were making the students’ midfield look petty. McCaughan would have been better off going to one of Prof Norris’ classes than taking him on down the flank and Aggers was typically taking no nonsense. All that was missing was a goal, thanks to G Smith’s go-go-gadget leg.
At half time Rev PMO finally succumbed to the injury he’d been struggling with all week. This was another big loss for the Ministers as the BDC attacking triumvirate of Moffett, J Loughridge and C Robert had been causing Renwick considerable problems down their left hand side. Rev Hanna donned the vacated no.10 shirt (but didn’t fill it) and went to left wing, with Jonny McCollum switching flanks from left to right to fill the ample gap left by his minister.
Stevie plotting how to bag Cyprus for STS
Ben’s replacement for Renwick was Ali G and his first involvement in the game was to have dirt kicked in his eye. No mercy from the Ministers, even in a friendly. Though Ali G did recover and went on to make some key interceptions in the match.
Early in the second half the Clergy finally got the reward their pressure deserved. Rev Hanna floated over a lovely coconut and Peter stuck it in the bag with all the other nuts; the Ministers now very much back in the game.
The Ministers continued to have the better of the play and chances until mid-way through the second half, with constant hustle and bustle unsettling the students. However, around the 65min mark they conceded possession and allowed Mark Porter to run at the defence, who beat Lytle’s dive with a fine low strike from just outside the box.
Spurred on by younger legs and rolling subs Renwick took advantage of tiring legs in the Ministers team with two late strikes. Dunwoody’s shot was well blocked on the edge of the area but fell to McCaughan. Weary defenders allowed the young architect too much space, with which he designed a cool and precise effort curled into Lytle’s bottom left corner. It was a killer blow, particularly for the seasoned fullback who had shackled him so well earlier in the day (see the match highlights for his clear disappointment).
Retiring captain Phil Dunwoody was dying for a goal to end a fine career with. However, few chances came his way, apart from one through ball which, with the defence opened before him, he just couldn’t bring under control. However, it was fitting that he had a big hand in the final goal of the game. Chasing a lost cause down the right he somehow kept the ball in on the touchline, before bravely winning a 50-50 with Bunzilla and then supplying a delightful low cross into the six yard box for the waiting McCaughan to tap in (despite his best attempts to put it over from point blank range). The aged Renwick hero got the reception his service deserved when he was applauded off and given a standing ovation by both fans and players.
The game finished 5-1, the scoreline definitely not reflecting the game. This was probably the Ministers’ most accomplished performance, even better than their famous 1-1 draw. Had the Ministers got the first goal or not conceded at the end of the first half it could have been a different story. Renwick got quite a scare but eventually delivered no less than the bare minimum expected. Despite not playing their best football of the season, energy and experience shone through eventually. A great game, well played by both sides, and the photos show how much everyone enjoyed it, even if the spirit of Simon Curry was mysteriously channelled into them. So that makes it 3 from 4 Jonny McCollum cups for Renwick, and no defeats. A proud record indeed. The tension grows every year. Who will be the first Ministers team to win it outright? Who will be the first Renwick team ever to lose it?
RENWICK: J McCullough; A Morrison, S McCollum, G Smith, B Hanna; P Dunwoody, A Lynch, A McKelvey, R McCaughan; I Buchanan, M McCaverey
Subs: P Aicken, T McCollum, C Carson, M Porter, A Rolleston, D Smith
MINISTERS: A Lytle; N Wilson, P Loughridge, N Agnew, C Bun; J McCollum, R McCollum, P Baijko; P Moffett, C Robert, J Loughridge
Previous years:
2010 Preview
2009 Report: Renwick 1 – 1 Ministers
2008 Report: Renwick 6 – 0 Ministers
2007 Report: Renwick 9 – 4 Ministers