Balnamore thump lacklustre Taverners

Current league leaders Berthas FC slipped up for the second season on the bounce as they could only manage a draw against a determined Hazelbank side.

Second place Mountview continued their excellent form of late with an easy four nil victory against Ballyrashane.

Result of the day was at Fulton Park where Balnamore hammered the experienced Taverners.

Beetle Blair’s team scoring six goals without reply.

Somerset got 2010 underway with a narrow victory against The Villagers. Gary Millars late goal secured the points there. Hillview bounced back from last weeks defeat with a victory over FC Macosquin. Macosquin Village took the spoils in a seven goal thriller against West Bann Athletic with new signing Adam Clarke proving inspirational on the day. Elsewhere Dunaghy Old Boys hammered nine past a weakened Brook Street at The Crescent.

The Hutchinson Tiles Knockout cup gets into action next week with seven fixtures to be decided. Tie of the round looks to be at Fulton Park where Balnamore welcome last years beaten finalist Mountview. Current holders Hillview face a difficult trip to Castlerock to play Berthas FC while there is a Village derby at the Crescent between The Villagers and Macosquin Village. It will be hard to pick a winner from any of these games. See below for a full list of the Knockout Cup 1st round fixtures.

Berthas FC 3 Hazelbank 3

This game nearly didn’t go ahead due to poor pitch conditions.

A mixture of the recent weather and poor maintenance from the council meant referee Jimmy Alexander came close of calling this one off but some DIY from both team meant this game could go ahead. The home team were playing their first game of 2010 against a Hazelbank side who had the opportunity to dust of the Christmas cobwebs last week. It was a scrappy affair for the first 15 minutes with neither side creating much. First decent chance of the game came when Colin Rainey slipped in Davy Campbell but the referee blew up for offside despite the big striker running past 2 defenders to receive the ball.

Hazelbanks first chance came from a Mark Crawford header, but his effort was weak and landed safely into the arms of McCrory. The deadlock was finally broken when McCrorys goalkick was poorly defended meaning Andy Cochrane ran straight through to lob the ball over the advancing Steven Crawford.

Both team were matching each other around the park and decent chances were at a premium with Crawford pulling off a stunning save to deny Barry Greene proving to be the only goal threat before half time. Second half was a continuation of the first until the away team equalised after 60 minutes of play.

Up until then they were relying on a long ball from the back to try and get a goal back but when they finally started passing the ball they showed what they could do. McCrory found McCafferty in the midfielder. He slipped in Smith down the right and he squared the ball to the unmarked Colin McClarty who tapped home from 2 yards. Berthas hit straight back when Campbell got the better of Crawford down the right and watched as his cross deceived the keeper and dropped into the back of the net.

The home team nearly got a 3rd but Crawford did well to palm away a Colin Rainey pile driver. Berthas defended strongly for the next 10 minutes until a 5-minute passage of play turned the game on its head. Another good Hazelbank move gave McClarty a half chance from the edge of the area and the striker fired home a belter to draw the game level. His next, and hat trick goal was even better when a half cleared ball dropped to him 20 yards out and his spectacular sissors kick gave McCrory no chance. With time running out Hazelbank decided to try and defend their win and this probably proved to be the wrong course of action as Berthas piled on the pressure.

They got their equaliser when Aidy ‘The Snake’ Drake beat McCrory down the right before picking out Rainey with an inch perfect cross and the big man made no mistake in powering a header past Crawford. Berthas had the chance to take all the points at the death when Davy Graham sauntered by 4 mens but his cross failed to pick out the un marked Cochrane at the back post. Man of the Match: Colin McClarty (Hazelbank)

Mountview 4-0 Ballyrashane Coronation

After the long period without having a match both teams took time to settle into the game. Mountview had the better chances in the first half but failed to register a goal until 5 minutes before half time, Ballyrashane frustrating the home team with some good defending and fast play through midfield. Davy Caldwell flicked on Billy McVickers free kick to the back post where Billy Cooke crept in to help the ball over the line.

The second half was more eventful, Mountview made it 2 nil 10 minutes into the half, Billy Cooke again turning the ball into the net from a Jimmy Smyth cross on the left. Although Mountview were 2 up at this stage Ballyrashane Coronation Club were not out of the game, they threatened on the counter attack, using their speed to break away.

Midway through the second half Keiron Reid was brought down inside the area and the referee awarded Mountview a penalty. With Cooke on his hat trick, he stepped up to take the spot kick.

But his shot was well saved by Davy Doherty in the Ballyrashane Coronation goal, diving down to his right tipping the ball past the post. Mountview were now into full stride and their passing was good and direct.

Richard Stanfield in particular had a good game, breaking up any Ballyrashane Coronation play enabling Mountview to gain back possession. 5 minutes from time Mountview made it 3 after good work from Lyle Crawford and Davy Tosh on the right, Davy Caldwell met the cross to score his first of 2010. Alan McClarty finished off the scoring when Doherty couldn't hold Caldwell's shot, leaving McClarty to place the ball past the diving keeper. Man of the Match: Richard Stanfield (Mountview)

Balnamore 6 v 0 The Taverners

A very experienced Taverners came to Fulton Park with a slightly weakened side but would still have fancied themselves against a young Balnamore side. Taverners started very brightly and could have gone ahead when Greer cut back to Lee Carton but his snapshot sailed over the bar.

Balnamore went ahead when Richard Blairs lofted ball caused confusion in the Taverners box and when Dallas failed to clear Madison rolled the ball into an empty net.

On 21 minutes it was 2 when Madison and Blair combined and Madison rolled the ball off to McKinnon who smashed home an unstoppable left foot strike into the corner. Taverners then started to pick up the pace and Graur was unlucky with a free kick that seemed destined for the back of the net but James Elder had other ideas. Balnamore then got their third when Madison put Hogg through on goal and he made no mistake calmly slotting underneath the out rushing Dallas. The second half started with Taverners pushing to force a way back into the game but Joe Connor and Nicky Tweed were proving to be a rock at the heart of Balnamore defence.

Balnamore always looked threatening on the break and Ryan Mooney played the perfect ball through to Madison and he side footed into the corner to make it 4 nil and game over. Ryan Mooney then got himself on the score sheet when he latched onto Kelly’s through ball and fired home a 25-yard pile driver that gave Dallas no chance. Madison then found himself through on goal for his hat trick and as Dallas came out he unselfishly rolled the ball across to Richard Blair who had the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net. Taverners to their credit still pushed forward and were unlucky not to score when Robinson’s shot struck the post. Man of the Match: Richard McKinnon (Balnamore)

Somerset 2 The Villagers 1

This was a tight game from start to finish with chances at a premium. Scott Fraser had a half chance after 20 minutes of play but he fired high and wide of the target.

The Villagers then took the lead after 35 minutes of play when Colin McFarlane picked up the ball 25 yards out. Their looked to be nothing on for the forward but he turned his man of a six pence before driving the ball into the back of the net. This kicked Somerset into action and it took them 5 minutes to draw level. Barry McGonigle slipped in Gary Millar and he deceived the keeper before putting the ball into the net. The same player then should have give his team the lead but he failed to trouble the keeper when well placed inside the box.

The second half was end to end stuff with both teams pushing for the win. It looked like the The Villagers were going to get it with 10 minutes to go but Keith Harkin in the Somerset goal pulled of a fantastic double save to keep his team in the hunt for the points. Somerset did get the winner as the game came to a close. Millar did well to win a corner and did even better to out jump the away team defence to power home Frasers corner. This was close came and manager Nick Boyd was a very happy man to take all the points on the day. Man of the Match: Gary Millar (Somerset)

West Bann Athletic 3 v 4 Macosquin Village

The away team dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead after 7 minutes of play when Darren Stewart played a 1-2 with Chris Holmes before scoring. West Bann soon drew level when Olphert scored from the spot.

Both team were playing good football before Stewart got his team in front again when he converted from an Aaron Laverty cross. Again West Bann hit back quickly and again it was Olphert with the goal, a fine left footed strike from just inside the box.

Macosquin Village started the second half on top and got the lead for a 3rd time when Holmes scored from the spot after Chris Wade had been brought down just inside the box.

MV got a fourth goal that gave them some breathing space when Clarke, who was pulling the strings in midfield, found Todd down the right and his cross was met on the volley by Holmes who cracked home a super effort. West Bann weren’t about to let MV take the points easily and Pancott pulled one back when he sauntered through the MV defence before lobbing the ball over McIntyre. Both team continued to create chances with Tosh making some great saves of West Bann while McIntyre also made some important saves at the other end. It was a hard, well fought game with MV probably deserving the points on the day. Man of the Match: Adam Clarke (Macosquin Village)

FC Macosquin 1 Hillview 4

The home team started this game on the front foot with Liam McGuinness in impressive form in the midfield. They took the lead that their play deserved when Watson ran through on goal before lifting the ball over the advancing keeper. Hillview got on level terms before the end of the half when McGowan converted at the back post.

Hillview were much better in the second half and took the lead when Hutchinson drilled home Blacks cut back pass. They then extended their lead when Ryan Frazer rose highest in the box to head home James Hall’s free kick. FC were pushing men forward and this left them sort at the back and Hillview finally out this game to bed when Lee Nevin cracked home a belter from distance. Man of the Match: Nathan Black (Hillview)

Brook Street 1 v 9 Dunaghy Old Boys

Dunaghy got another league victory under their belts with this easy victory over a Brook Street side that could only field 10 men for this game.

Arnie Blair, Jason Wilmont and David Murray all picked up doubles while Cairns and Keers also got their names on the score sheet.

The other goal was an own goal. The Brook Street goal came from the penalty spot. Brook Street actually played the remaining 35 minutes with 9 men after Greame Pollock went off injured with what proved to be 2 broken bones in his foot. The Brook Street management would like to wish Greame a speedy recovery. Man of the Match: Derek Hickinson (Dunaghy Old Boys)

Fixtures for Saturday 30 January

Hutchinson Tiles League

Ballyrashane Coronation F.C v Hazelbank at Rugby Avenue 2

Hutchinson Tiles Knockout Cup

Balnamore F.C v Mountview F.C at Fulton Park

Bertha's F.C v Hillview F.C at Castlerock

Coleraine Olympic v Dunaghy Old Boy's at Rugby Avenue 1

F.C Macosquin v Somerset at Ballysally 2

Taverners F.C v Finn McCool's at Riada 2

Villagers F.C v Macosquin Village at Crescent 3

West Bann Athletic v Riverside Athletic at Rugby Avenue 3

N&N Trophies Golden Boot

Lee Nevin Hillview 26

Gary Miller Somerset 25

Colin McFarlane Villagers F.C 22

Andrei Graur Taverners 20

Andrew Cochrane Bertha's F.C 20