AMATEUR LEAGUE: Alan Hall's weekend review

Rosario are now six points behind Wellington in Division 1B, having played two games more, while Rec are just one adrift of second-placed Newcastle, with a game in hand.

Wellington manager Stephen Donald explained: “We’ve 10 matches left. I think we need 20 points; another six wins, and I don’t think we’ll be far away!”

The bobbly surface at Ulidia put paid to what entertainment there might have been. Wellington’s most meaningful moment came when a Michael Moore free-kick cannoned off the bar, while stand in Andy Waide’s only serious action was in tipping one over the bar.

Rec sub Colin Paisley could have won it late on, but in the end, a point a piece was probably just about right. The real ‘winner’ was the pitch!

Also in 1B, Rathfern Rangers went down 1-0 at home to Bloomfield. Stuart Jeffers grabbed the all-important goal for the visitors 15 minutes from time, who had veteran Ricky Watts as their last line of defence.

After their Cup exploits, it was league action for only the second time since mid-November for Mossley, where 1C’s basement side Groomsport briefly threatened to be Saturday’s shock troopers, going off 2-1 up at the break.

Yet Mossley boss Garry Campbell was unworried, maintaining: “We never really thought we were going to get beaten. We had plenty of chances in that first half and just needed to keep on what we had been doing. Four goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half made it all comfortable enough!”

The home side could even afford the luxury of Ricky Moore missing a penalty, though he had been on the spot earlier on to give Mossley the lead, before that was overturned by the break. However, two from Ryan Caskey and one each from Moore and Chris Proctor cemented the three points after a 5-2 win.

Also in 1c, 18th Newtownabbey were 4-1 winners over Bangor Swifts, despite having to play the final 40 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of Blake Johnston. Mark Marshall (two) and brothers Ross and Mark Miskimmin got their goals.

In Division 2C, Donaghadee defeated Whitehead Eagles 4-1 and 4th Newtownabbey lost 5-2 to Ravenhill YM.