Homers, Carniny clash in first SML final of season on Friday night

The Ballymena Saturday Morning League’s first Final takes place this Friday, November 8, at Ballymena Showgrounds Main Arena with a 7.45pm kick-off.
Stephen Milligan (Carniny Rangers) and Gary Bonnes (Harryville Homers) are pictured with league officials Davy King and Brian Montgomery are pictured with David Fusco of Firmus, promoting the Firmus Energy Top Four Final to be played between the two team on November 8. INBT45-250ACStephen Milligan (Carniny Rangers) and Gary Bonnes (Harryville Homers) are pictured with league officials Davy King and Brian Montgomery are pictured with David Fusco of Firmus, promoting the Firmus Energy Top Four Final to be played between the two team on November 8. INBT45-250AC
Stephen Milligan (Carniny Rangers) and Gary Bonnes (Harryville Homers) are pictured with league officials Davy King and Brian Montgomery are pictured with David Fusco of Firmus, promoting the Firmus Energy Top Four Final to be played between the two team on November 8. INBT45-250AC

Natural gas company, firmus energy, has announced its support for this year’s Top Four Final.

Friday’s event promises to be a show stopper as it features Harryville’s big two, Carniny Rangers, last year’s BSML Division One Runners Up and last year’s BSML Champions, Harryville Homers, who both are undefeated in Division One this season.

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Speaking at the launch, David Fusco, of firmus, said: “As a local Ballymena footballer who plays in the BSML, I experience first-hand the passion and hard work that goes into running an event like the Top Four.

“We hope that our support this year will ‘energise’ the Top Four Final Competition and look forward to our continued partnership with Ballymena Saturday Morning League in 2014. We are delighted to support our local communities and we wish the teams the best of luck for the big match.”

Brian Montgomery, BSML League Secretary commented, ‘What a Final firmus energy is sponsoring this year. We are delighted to welcome the local energy supplier on board and look forward to a bright partnership.”

Carniny, who lost out to Homers in the O’Kane Cup second round, is unrecognisable since last season as Manager Robert Young has strengthened the squad with numerous signings and introduced a very young midfield.

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Alex McCosh continues in goal but in front of him is a new centre back partnership in Ryan Bamber and James Gracey, who has returned from Australia. Frazer Young keeps improving each year and he is joined in midfield with Tyler Caulfield and ex-Ahoghill Rovers and Thistle players Ryan Sands and Maurice Spence.

Up front Maurice Spence’s brother Jonny is banging in the goals along with new addition Dean Dunlop and the main danger man who is back to his best form, Mo McDowell.

Harryville Homers are playing like Champions and retain the squad that won the League last season but Manager Robert Duddy has added to the squad with the introduction of David Nicholl.

Ryan Stewart started the season with Ballymena United but the draw of the Homers brought him back and along with the much improved Ian Russell, they are the mainstay at the back. When they fail to stop the opposition, keeper Ryan Martin is on hand with his fair share of saves. Jason Logan was brought in from Ahoghill Rovers and he along with Gary Bonnes, Paul McNeill and Alan Rainey continue from where they finished last season by scoring on a regular basis.

The only entrance opened for spectators is via the Social Club Turnstile at Slemish Dive, just off Warden Street.

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