Holders through to quarter finals but Ballyrashane push them all the way

Last year’s winners West Bann Athletic worked hard to seal their place in the next round, needing extra time to see off Ballyrashane FC. The Old Boys of Glebe Rangers and Dunaghy were the big winnners on the day, both scoring eight in their games. FC Crusaders took a good win over Berthas FC while a single goal proved enough for Hazelbank in their game with Balnamore. Windyhall were comfortable winners over Coleraine Olympic while The Tavnerners came from behind to beat Brook Street. Portrush Old Boys make up the eight as they progressed to the next round with a bye.

Glebe Rangers Old Boys 8 The Villagers 0

Glebe Rangers Old Boys entertained Villagers in the first round of the Shield on Saturday morning and progressed after a much improved performance than their last outing two weeks ago. Glebe were on the offensive straight from kick-off with Vauls providing a supply of dangerous crosses from the left flank and it was from one of these that Steele opened the scoring after 16 minutes.

McCurdy made it two with his first of the season before Paul Gaston nodded number three with a fine header. Stephen Elder had a number of fine efforts without success and it was left to Gaston to volley home his second to make the score-line 4-0 to the Old Boys at the interval.

The Villagers started off the second period in determined fashion but found the Glebe defence in uncompromising mood with Lee Kyle showing a welcome return to form. Les Nicholl finished off a fine move as he notched his side’s fifth of the day on the hour mark.

Four minutes later Paul Holmes who impressed throughout finished another flowing move with a fierce drive past the helpless Finny. ‘Midget’ Patterson made it seven with after a typical piece of magic in the 70th minute. Both goal keepers then distinguished themselves with Finny, despite an early injury, thwarting Vauls and DJ McBride producing a wonder save from a thunderous free-kick by Ryan Pollock before Steele finished the scoring in the last minute with an audacious overhead kick. Man of the Match: James Steele and Paul Holmes (Glebe Rangers Old Boys)

West Bann Athletic 3

Ballyrashane FC 2

The holders took the lead in this game when through Aaron McClelland who was fittingly the match winner for his team in last season’s final. West Bann were comfortable but it was Ballyrashane who drew level with an own goal in the second half thus taking the game to extra time. It was the veteran Davy Campbell who gave Ballyrashane the lead though Nathan Black quickly drew the holders level. With penalties looking likely it was Lee Nevin who finally beat an inspired Ballyrashane keeper to see West Bann Athletic into the hat for the next round. Man of the Match: Aaron McClelland (WBA FC)

Berthas FC 2

FC Crusaders 4

With both Patterson and McCambridge returning from weeks away in the sun both managers were keen to make up for disappointing results in their absence. The game itself was very tight with plenty of chances at both ends. Berthas struck first with a well-timed volley from the edge of the box from Alan Nevin scoring his first goal against his old club. . FC came out the for the second half in a different mood and laid siege to the Berthas goal. Big Liam McGuiness heading in brilliantly from a cross. Soon after Ginger McLaughlin gave FC the lead with a similar header from the other side. FC pushed for number three and a long range effort from Stephen McCory took a wicked deflection off a Berthas player and wrong footing Davy Doherty to extend their lead.

Berthas never say die attitude was evident as they pulled one back soon afterwards with Willie Stewart heading home ‘Swag’ McLaughlin’s free kick. Berthas pushed up the pitch for an equaliser but were caught on the break when Big feet Bobby Archibald superbly rounded the keeper to make it number four and seal the cup tie in FC’s favour. Man of the Match: Ginger McLaughlin (FC Crusaders)

Balnamore FC 0

Hazelbank FC 1

After the dissapointment of last week’s narrow defeat to Balnamore, Hazelbank went into this game determined to get the result they have struggeled to get at this venue in the past. The early chances fell to Hazelbank, Wilson and McClarty both geting there shots away, Balnmore’s keeper though was well placed to save both.

Balnamore began to get their game going, Simon Armstrong went close before David McDowell had his shot pushed on to the bar by Alan McClarty.

Both teams had chances to clinch the victory, the best falling to Hazelbank as James smith broke through but the keeper stood up and he push it chip just wide. Colin McClarty had his shot well saved before Johnathan McIlreavey should have finished it missing from close range.

Simon Armstrong nearly made Hazelbank pay for this his flick at the front post hit the upright right at he end.

So it was on to extra time. The half was very tight, Stefan Boyd was getting more and more room on the left flank, and it was his good work which began to turn the tie in Hazelbanks favor, with time running out Brian Alcorn took off on a run in to the box before sqauring back for Colin McClarty to score the winning goal.

Dunaghy Old Boys 8

Finn McCools 3

The visitors started the game brightly but against the run of play Ricky Blair slotted past the keeper at his near post after a quick free kick by a Blair. ‘Chin’ got his second shortly afterwards converting a bullet header from a Patton corner. Finn’s pulled one back when McAfee buried a good header in to the bottom corner. But Blaire restored the old boys two goal lead with a cracking volley in to the bottom corner on the half turn from Ian Blair’s cross to complete a great hat-trick.

Finns got right back in the game when from another free kick dobbin looped in a header before half time. And they equalised just after the break when Callaghan beat Kinaird at the near post with a low drive.

This spurred dunaghy into life as Blair got his fourth. Robinson then crashed a header home from a super cross from Warren Blair. Chin then made his personal haul to five as he ran on to an a Blair pass and struck a ferocious shot past the Finns keeper. W Blair made it seven with an unstoppable volley from twenty yards. Dunlop wrapped it up with a thunderbolt from 25 yards. Man of the Match: Ricky Blair (Dunaghy Old Boys)

FC Windyhall 6

Coleraine Olympic 0

This was the second time in as many weeks these two teams met and Windyhall knew they had to be better than the previous week.

Windyhall went in front in the 13th minute. Donnell’s ball from the right fell for McMullan in the box and he smashed his shot at goal bringing a excellent save from Doherty in the Olympic goal but the keeper could do nothing with McMullan’s second attempt.

Windyhall’s second came twelve minutes later. A Sweeney corner from the right was met by the head of Grills beating the keeper and a Olympic defender on the line. Sweeney then scored Windyhall’s third in the 39th minute running on to a Donnell flick on from a throw in and placing the ball in the keepers right hand corner.

Grills scored his second two minutes from half time from another Sweeney corner again heading past the keeper and a defender on the line.

Windyhall started the second half the same way as they finished the first and were further ahead on the 55th minute when Mark Crawford won a penalty. Grills stepped up to score his third and Windyhall’s fifth.

Donnell scored the sixth and final goal of the game in the 75th minute finishing off a good team move. The score line could of been higher had it not been for Doherty in the Olympic goal pulling off excellent saves at point blank range from Donnell, M Crawford and Sweeney. Man of the Match: Alan Grills (FC Windyhall)

Brook Street 2

The Taverners 3

Lee McDonald put Brook Street ahead in this one and the same player doubled his team’s advantage going into half time. The Taverners were more positive after the break and pulled one back before Grimes evened things up soon after. With extra time looking likely, Joseph Dunlop grabbed a late winner with a good finish to see The Taverners through.