Portrush surge into semi finals as Glebe OB suffer shock league defeat

The reigning league champions saw off the challenge on Millburn FC in their replayed fixture.

In the league Glebe Rangers Old Boys suffered only their second defeat of the reason going down in a high scoring match away to Balnamore FC.

Berthas FC moved up to second place with a scrappy victory away to FC Windyhall while Dunaghy Old Boys took a big win against Ballyrashane FC. Finn McCools came away from Castlerock with the three points in their game against The Villagers, while Hazelbank easily despatched with Coleraine Olympic at Rugby Avenue.

Millburn FC 3

Portrush Old Boys 6

Millburn played host to Against the run of play, Millburn took the lead after McDonald was fouled inside the box.

The striker picked himself up to slot past McCullough in the Ports goal. Portrush continued to pass the ball with Tweed and Mitchell commanding in the middle and got their rewards when Martin skipped past the defender and composed himself to equalise.

Portrush continued to press but were caught on the counter when a mistake in midfield released McDonald and he raced clear to finish. Their lead only lasted a couple of minutes when a combination between Martin and Doherty finished with the latter squeezing his shot in at the near post.

Having found themselves behind on two occasions, Portrush turned their possession into a lead when Doherty was fouled in the channel and he picked himself up to deliver a pinpoint cross to Parsons to head past the keeper.

Portrush continued to push in the second half and increased their lead when new signing McLaughlin scored from an acute angle in the 60th minute.

This should have been game over but to their credit Millburn battled and reduced the deficit when the Portrush keeper couldn’t hold a cross and McDonald was their again to score his third of the day. However, the impressive McLaughlin had other ideas and after combination play with Tweed put the striker through and he smashed the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box.

Doherty was instrumental and sealed the victory when he delivered for Tweed to rise high above the Millburn defence and complete the scoring. Man of the Match: Nicky Tweed (Portrush Old Boys)

Balnamore FC 6

Glebe Rangers Old Boys 3

Balnamore unbeaten in nine games opened the scoring first David McDowell heading in from Darren Adairs cross.

Andy Shepperd equalised a few minutes later, flicking Greer’s low ball in at the near post.

David McDowell grabbed his second with an excellent strike from thirty yards. Andrew Hegarty got in on the act too, lifting the ball from outside the area over Mc Bride in the Glebe goal after good work by McDowell.

David McDowell completed his hat trick on 48 minutes when he shrugged off a number of challenges to score with a quality effort. Glebe changed their shape moving Bellingham up front and soon pulled a goal back when Stephen Elder nipped in to reduce the deficit.

Balnamore made it five when Andrew Hegarty collected the ball in his own half, ran straight at goal, evading two efforts to stop him and found the net with an excellent curling shot.

Hegarty completed his hat-trick on 78 minutes with another top notch finish from just inside the box. Glebe upped the pressure and were awarded a penalty, but big James Elder in the home goal saved well. Ian Bellingham scored soon after from close range but time ran out as Balnamore secured a deserved win. Men of the Match: David McDowell & Andrew Hegarty (Balnamore)

FC Windyhall 1

Berthas FC 2

FC Windyhall then suffered a set back when Kirgan went off injured however they had the chance to take the lead from the spot moments later but Kane made a great stop of keep out McVey’s penalty.

Berthas were controlling the game but making nothing of the possession and were made to pay on the half hour mark when John Sweeney brilliantly despatched Shirlow’s low cross.

Berthas drew level just before half time when Stockman picked up Stewart’s through ball to beat Newman at his near post. With time running out Berthas finally grabbed what proved to be the winning goal when McGarvey bundled home from a corner kick. It was a poor performance from the away side but three points gained non the less. Man of the Match: Darren McGarvey (Berthas FC)

Dunaghy Old Boys 5

Ballyrashane FC 0

The hosts took the lead on 12 minutes as Ricky Blair headed home.

Dunaghy doubled their lead when Shirley picked up the ball on the half way line skipping past his opposite midfielder and his pace took him into the penalty area where he calmly slotted past the oncoming keeper.

Ballyrashane where trying hard to get back into it but a defender got the ball caught up in his feet Robinson needed no second invitation and lobbed the keeper superbly.

On 64 minutes ‘Chin’s’ misplaced header landed nicely for Robinson who blasted in. Dunaghy completed the scoring on 85 minutes whenBlair latched onto a long corner. Man of the Match: Ryan McNeil (Dunaghy Old Boys)

Coleraine Olympic 0

Hazelbank 5

Jimmy Smyth opened the scoring after a neat swivel on the edge of the box and his effort squirmed through Doherty’s hands.

Ciaran Wilson soon added a second with a composed finish from Boyd’s accurate pass. After20 minutes of the second half Colin McClarty added a third with a delightful chip over the goalkeeper from 25 yards. Five minutes later a short corner to Wilson was passed to Penny unmarked in the box who exquisitely dispatched the ball into the far corner.

Hazelbank scored the fifth and final goal when Jimmy Smyth danced around several defenders and smashed the ball past the goalkeeper. Man of the Match: Jimmy Smyth (Hazelbank)

The Villagers 0

Finn McCools 3

Ally Dobbin fired Finns in front early on before D Millar made 2-0 firing in after a corner.

They made sure of the win as Dobbin surged out of defence and teed up Scott Hill to smash a low drive into the Viillagers net. Man of the Match: Rodney Cubitt (Finn McCools)