Amateur League weekend review

Number nine, Reece McGinley strokes the ball past the Lisburn Rangers keeper to put Larne Tech OB one up. INLT 41-020-PSB Photo: Phillip Byrne

Reece McGinley was the star of the show for Johnny Hastings’ side, netting a hat-trick while former Inver Park favourite Niall McAllister chipped in with two goals.

“It was an excellent team performance,” boss Hastings told the Times. “The lads all worked hard for each other, with everyone playing their part.

“It shows what we can do when we want. It could and probably should have been 8-0. But the biggest thing for us is consistency and backing up our performance with a result on Saturday.”

In other news at Dennis Harvey Park, Gary Smyth has stepped down as second-team manager with Dave Simms taking the reins.

East Antrim’s representation in this year’s Border Regiment Cup came to an end when Lee McCartney’s Nortel lost 3-1 at home to Downpatrick. Ards Rangers needed extra-time to get the better of Barn United in a 5-4 thriller.

David Rollo’s Islandmagee are still searching for their first Premier Division win of the campaign after nine attempts. They lost 4-3 at home to Ardglass on Saturday.

In Division 1B, an understrength Wellington Rec had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Rathfern Rangers at The Diamond. Andy Phillips netted Wellington’s goal.

There was more misery for Newington Rangers in Division 1C as they went down 6-2 at Dunmurry YM. The men from The Knowe have managed just two wins from 10 games in league. They sit tenth in the table and the worrying sign for them is in defence. They have shipped in 40 goals - more than any other team in the division.

Monkstown-based 18th Newtownabbey suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Bangor Amateurs, but Garry Campbell’s table-topping Mossley marched on with a 6-3 success at Holywood.

In Division 2C, Whitehead Eagles went down 5-0 at Lower Shankill and 4th Newtownabbey lost 4-0 at St Teresa’s.

Tiago was Grange Rangers’ hero when he bagged the 111th-minute extra-time winner to secure a place round two of the Cochrane Corry Cup.

Queen’s Grads came from behind to take the tie beyond the 90 minutes, but Stephen King’s lads prevailed to edge home 5-4.