Fabulous three points for Amateurs

Full of confidence after the previous week’s 2-0 victory over Dungiven in the Irish Cup, David Smylie’s side came bursting out of the traps against Newtownabbey and really should have had the contest wrapped up within the first 20 minutes.

But the Amateurs failed to convert their chances and the visitors stunned the home support with an opening goal against the run of play.

Dromore’s response was immediate – striker Robert Coady smashing home an equaliser just a few minutes later.

The Amateurs edged in front in the second half when an effort by Aaron Noble was deflected into the net – but Newtownabbey were not done yet, and they soon pulled level at 2-2.

The visitors then self imploded with a breakdown in discipline and two of their players were given their marching orders.

Dromore took full advantage, grabbing a winner 10 minutes from time when Noel Allen – a new signing in the summer who’s made an impressive start to the season – scored his first goal in an Amateurs shirt, heading home from a corner.

Dromore are in Mid-Ulster Cup action on Saturday when they host neighbours Seapatrick at Ferris Park. Kick off is 2.30pm

TEAM: N Beggs, C Harper, R Downey, A McDonald, K Walsh, M Magennis, S Haslem, S Henderson, N Allen, R Coady, A Noble. Subs: W McMurray, J Walker, A Henderson.

Lisanally Rangers Reserves 5

Dromore Amateurs Seconds 4

IF you want to see goals on a Saturday afternoon, then get yourself along to watch Dromore Amateurs Seconds.

Ronnie McMurray’s side have played four games so far this season - and the net has bulged a total of 27 times.

Unfortunately, while Dromore have scored 11 of those goals, all four games have ended in defeat for the Amateurs – and so it was again on Saturday when the local lads exited the Irish Junior Cup away to Lisanally Rangers in another 5-4 thriller.

Dromore will be kicking themselves over a poor start which saw them slip 2-0 behind. But once they got their act together, they proved more than a match for their Armagh opponents.

Ned Walsh, in his first game of the season, was in scintillating form, scoring a sensational hat-trick - the pick being a 25-yard strike that cruised into the top right corner of the net.

Midfielder Marcel Beattie continued his fine goal-scoring form when his shot from distance proved too hot to handle and brought the sides level at 4-4, with extra time looming.

But two minutes into injury time, Lisanally broke Dromore hearts with a late, late winner when their centre-forward scored a fine header from a free kick.

The Amateurs are rapidly taking on the nickname of “the entertainers” but they know the priority is to stop conceding so many goals. However, they are at least guaranteed a clean sheet this weekend – because they have no match!

TEAM: K McKinstry, R McMurray, R Ward, D Gibson, B Coulter, G Hill, S Curran, J Johnston, M Beattie, N Walsh, C Lockhart. Subs: B Lennon, D Brownlee, C Mulholland.