Ardmore off to a flyer

Lincoln Courts...1Ardmore...2

TABLE toppers Ardmore maintain their winning start to the season following this hard fought 2-1 success at fellow title contenders Lincoln Courts, last Thursday night.

Goals from Ryan Clear and Colum Deery gave Damien McGee's side a half-time lead, before Courts pulled one back through Stephen Mooney, in the second half.

An entertaining and hard fought encounter started with the visitors on top and they took the lead on 20 minutes when Clear latched onto a long ball down field, before calmly making no mistake firing home.

Ardmore were awarded a disputed penalty moments later when Courts keeper Ian Killen was adjudged to have fouled Barry Gormley inside the area and Deery made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick, sending Killen the wrong way.

The home side pressed forward to try and get one back before half-time but an in-form Paul Simon in the Ardmore goal kept them out with some very good saves the best coming just before the interval when he denied right back James Doherty, after he broke clear of the Ardmore defence.

Just like the first half, the second 45 minutes was end to end with both teams creating chances and midway through the half Lincoln got a goal back with good link up play between Lee Laverty and Doherty down the left saw the full-back's fine cross to the back post pick out an unmarked Mooney and he found the back of the net with a low shot.

The home team pushed forward for an equaliser but Simon was in top form making a host of saves, in what turned out to be a terrific game of football.

Meanwhile in the Sentinel Cup Burndennett and Ballykelly booked their place in the second round after penalty shoot-out victories over Tullyally Colts and Roe Rovers Reserves respectively. Burnfoot easily overcame Glendermott 4-1, while Dungiven Reserves beat Eglinton 5-1.

This weekend's second round ties sees Greysteel host Dungiven Res, Burndennett host Lincoln Courts, Drummond United face Roe Rovers, Lincoln Courts Reserves take on Sion Swifts; Burnfoot travel to Donemana; Newtowne visit Ballykelly; City Colts have home advantage over Caw and Irish Street are the visitors to Don Olphert's BBOB.

All matches kick-off at 2pm with extra-time and penalties will be used if necessary.