AMATEUR LEAGUE: Miskimmin relieved to get past Bangor YM in Clarence Cup

At Cloyne Crescent, up against 2b side Bangor YM, 18th Newtownabbey joint-manager Mark Miskimmin was relieved to get through with a 2-0 win. “Bangor were decent enough, a big strong side, although we really battered them in the first half – but it was one of those days where the ball just wasn’t falling for us and we struggled to score,” he said.

Newtownabbey made the breakthrough just past the half hour when a Mark Conn shot was deflected into the path of Ross Miskimmim to volley into the top corner.

Mark Marshall made it seven in five games, with a stirring strike just before the break.

Eighteenth were reduced to 10 men just after the changearound, after the dismissal of Jimmy-Joe Crawford and from there on in were happy enough just to play out the remainder of the tie.

For Mossley, meanwhile, it was extra-time for the fourth match in a row, before going out 4-3 to 1C stablemates Bangor Swifts on penalties.

The Glademen could have had this one done and dusted in the opening half, with Ricky Moore, Ryan Caskey and Chris Proctor all rattling the crossbar, while Lee Graham struck the post with a second-half penalty.

Bangor cancelled out Mossley’s two-goal lead and at three a-piece at the end of the 90, it was into extra-time where Proctor equalised with practically the last kick. Mossley’s other marksmen were Bryan Galloway, Caskey and Kyle Harper (penalty).

Kyle scored from the spot again in the shoot out, as did namesake Paul Harper and Ben Fletcher but while Dwayne Jenkins saved two penalties, Kyle Crowe, Proctor and Galloway all missed.

Barn United’s tie at Downpatrick was postponed due the pitch being unplayable and will now be switched to Haslett Park in two weeks’ time.