Ballymena and Provincial League round-up

Intermediate Division: Having fought back from 2-0 down to edge in front, Rathcoole had to settle for a 3-3 draw with Desertmartin at the Diamond.

Chris Kerr got the ball roling for the visitors before Danny McIlhatton doubled their advantage 10 minutes before the break.

Rathcoole pulled on back through Paul Waite and found themselves on level terms when Adam Richmond netted on 73 minutes. Brian Black looked to have given the home side all three points but Desertmartin’s Jason Martin had the final say.

Junior Division One: Paul Garvey fired a hat-trick for Castle Star in their 6-3 win over Chimney Corner Reserves. Goals from Andy Hall, Darryl Duff and Michael James put Star six up at the break leaving Corner with a mountain to climb. They hit back with three second-half strikes but the damage had been done.

Mallusk Athletic squandered a two-goal lead as Antrim Rovers hit back to net a 3-2 win.

Junior Division Two: AFC Carrick got off to a flying start against FC Ballynure Reserves with Michael Deignan and Ryan Clawson putting them two up inside the opening four minutes.

Kenny Grealey scored number three in the 42nd minute and that’s how it stayed.

FC Larne edged to a 3-2 win over Ballyclare North End. After a scoreless first half, Steve Mawhinney opened the scoring for Larne before Gareth Luney doubled their advantage from the spot. Aaron Gilmore pulled one back for the home side before Ryan Cash put Larne 3-1 up. Ryan Davey converted a late penalty for North End.

Eion Bradley netted a hat-trick and Neil McMahon scored the other as Remo eased to a 4-0 win over Carniny Amateurs II.

FC Whiteabbey eased to a 5-0 win over Ballynure Old Boys ‘B’. Jonny Montgomery, Gerard Southam (three), Sean Cowler found the net for the Whites.

Junior Division Three: John Logan’s Rathcoole Reserves banked another three points with a 4-1 win away at Red Star. Mark Kidd scored twice for the Newtownabbey men before Red Star pulled one back. But Stephen Coppen and David Montgomery wrapped up a comfortable afternoon’s work.

1st Carrickfergus are still searching for their first win after they lost 9-0 at home to Brantwood Reserves. The result means they have now conceded 65 goals in just eight games. Elsewhere, Carrick Swifts lost 5-3 away at Clough Rangers Athletic.

Junior Division Four: Monkstown came back from a goal down to defeat Ballysillan Swifts Reserves 3-1, while Krag Albion defeated Carnlough Swifts 3-1 courtesy of goals from Dean Haggan (two) and Andy Benson.

Glengormley United edged to a 2-1 win over Forthriver FC and Mallusk Athletic Reserves won 4-2 over AFC Carrick Reserves. Matty Fegan scored twice to put Mallusk in front at half time before Carrick’s Dave Johnston reduced the deficit. Michael McCord and Damian Della Croce gave them a three-goal lead. Andrew Kane netted a late consolation.

Woodlands pushed Carniny Amateurs all the way in first round of the Crawford Cup but lost out 3-2. Barry McPherson and Thomas Ogilvie scored for the Carrick men.

In round two of the Canada Trophy, 3rd Ballyclare OB lost 5-1 at Killymoon Rangers Res.