Brantwood prove too strong for Mallusk men

Crawford Cup R4: Brantwood got the better of Mallusk Athletic in round four of the Crawford Cup with a 6-2 win on Saturday.

Junior league side Mallusk had taken the lead at Skegoneil Avenue with Joe Ward’s 17th-minute strike. But the home side had to wait just 120 seconds to draw level, with Ryan McAuley slotting home.

Shortly before the half-hour mark the north Belfast outfit edged in front through Chris Rafferty and McAuley netted his second of the afternoon on the stroke of half-time.

Mark McCann added a fourth goal for the home side with 69 minutes on the clock, before Rafferty landed number five.

Michael McParland pulled one back for the visitors only for McAuley to complete his hat-trick late in the game.

Carnmoney FC were edged out on a 3-2 scoreline as they hosted Desermartin Swifts.

The home side got off to a flyer with Darren Jordan and Ricky Thompson sending them 2-0 up inside the opening 15 minutes.

But Desertmartin got back into the game when Jonny Smyth scored in the 20th minute and were back on level terms after Kyle Hyndman netted after the half-hour mark. Smyth landed the winner in 80th minute.

In Junior Division Two, FC Ballynure Reserves lost 3-0 at home to Ballysillan Swifts while Ballyclare North End won 4-1 against FC Larne at Sandy Bay.

Remo had to settle for a point as they drew 2-2 with visitors Cookstown RBL. They got off to a flying start when Eoin Bradley opened the scoring in the eighth minute only for RBL to draw level through Ryan Smith on 20 minutes. Tommy Smyth put Remo back in front on the hour, but Ricky McMenemy’s 72nd-minute strike meant spoils would be shared.

In Junior Division Three Rathcoole Reserves drew 1-1 with Brantwood Reserves.

Junior Division Four: Glengormley United lost 5-2 away to Ballysillan Swifts Reserves while Monkstown FC suffered a 5-0 defeat at Krag Albion.

Jamie Dodds and Adam Sloan were on target in Mallusk Athletic Resrves’ 2-0 win over AFC Carrick Reserves, and it was a day to forget for 3rd Ballyclare OB as they lost 8-1 away to Carnlough Swifts.