Ports pull out of Intermediate League

The Bannsiders have struggled at the foot of the Michelin Athletic Club-sponsored championship for most of the season but have failed to fulfil a couple of recent away fixtures as manager Michael Larkin struggled to get the necessary commitment from players.

With disciplinary proceedings looking likely from the league, Larkin was left with little option but to withdraw the Ports from competition.

The decision rules the Portglenone players out of football until next season as they are unable to sign for any other clubs, with various leagues' deadlines for transfers having passed.

On the field, Raceview took another big step towards the intermediate league title with a 2-0 win at Dunloy – a result which almost certainly ends the north Antrim men's slim title hopes.

FIXTURES

Matches involving locally-based sides this week are:

Tuesday, April 20 (6.30pm) – O'Gorman Cup, round two: Rasharkin United v Clough Rangers Athletic.

Junior Division One: Chimney Corner Res v Carniny Amateurs.

Thursday, April 22 – Intermediate League: Ballynure Old Boys v Raceview.

Junior Division One: Ballyclare Comrades Res v Carniny Amateurs; Raceview Athletic v Killymoon Rangers Res.

Saturday, April 24 (2pm) – Intermediate League: Raceview v Kilbride Swifts.

Junior Division One: Carniny Amateurs v Raceview Athletic.

Junior Division Three: Dundrod Old Boys v Antrim Rovers.

INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE

Dunloy 0, Raceview 2: The result of this game was decided on the early and late show with Raceview scoring two goals.

Raceview were on the attack and took the lead on the 5th minute with Gareth Mott scoring a well taken goal.

After this both teams created a number of chances but when half-time came the single goal still separated the teams.

In the second half Dunloy had to take chances to try and get back level but found race view to be defending well then on the 90th minute Rodney Paul caught Dunloy on the break to score and secure an important win for Raceview.

Clough Rangers Athletic 3, Desertmartin 2: Desertmartin had the best of the opening attacking play and went in front after Robin Patton scored on the 16th minute then double their lead when Steve Biggers scored on the 22nd minute.

Half-time saw Desertmartin still in front and Clough with it all to do then on the 47th minute Clough got back into the game after Gary Hamilton converted a penalty.

Clough then got back on level terms after Ryan Magill scored with a scorching shot on the 63rd minute and got what proved to be the winning goal when Ricky Reid scored on the 76th minute.

Midweek result: Clough Rangers Athletic 1, Dunloy 4.

O'GORMAN CUP

Round two result: Ballycastle United 0, Brantwood 3.

Midweek results: Dunloy 4, Coleraine Crusaders 2.

MCREYNOLDS CUP

Round one result: Kilbride Swifts 2, Coleraine Crusaders 2 (aet, Coleraine Crusaders won 5-3 on pens).

Midweek results: Cookstown Olympic 1, Brantwood 0; Raceview 1, Ballynure Old Boys 2.

JUNIOR DIVISION ONE

Magherafelt Sky Blues Reserves 0, Carniny Amateurs 4: Carniny took the lead from the penalty spot on the 10th minute Barry Hamill scoring on the follow up after the home keeper had parried his spot kick.

After this early goal there were few clear chances resulting in the next goal being scored by Gary McMeekin tapping the ball in after it had come off the post on the 51st minute.

McMeekin then killed the game off for Carniny when he went past three defenders before slotting in his second goal on the 72nd minute. Time was then almost up when Ryan Wilkinson scored number four for Carniny on the 88th minute.

Other result: Tobermore United Res 3, FC Larne 1.

Midweek results: Raceview Athletic 1, Carniny Amateurs 1; Newtownabbey FC 2, FC Larne 1; Chimney Corner Res 1, Ballyclare Comrades Res 1; Tobermore United Res 2, Ballymoney United Res 3; Newtownabbey FC 4, Carniny Amateurs 0.

JUNIOR DIVISION TWO

Demesne Strollers 3, Finvoy 6: Finvoy went into this game requiring the win to stay abreast of Moyola at the top of the league table and collected all three points thanks to a hat-trick from Ian Parkhill two goals from Gareth Hannah and one from Darryl McIntyre.

Demesne's goals were scored by Jon Alexander, Michael Ross and Ian McCracken.

Other results: Ballyclare North End 0, Moyola Park Olympic 3; FC Ballynure Reserves 2, Cookstown Olympic Colts 1.

Midweek results: 3rd Ballyclare Old Boys 1, Ballyclare North End 4; FC Ballynure Reserves 1, Demesne Strollers 1.

JUNIOR DIVISION THREE

Antrim Rovers 6, Mallusk Athletic 2: Antrim took the lead after Jonny Rogers scored on the 4th minute but Mallusk came back to equalise through Mark McKinney on the 20th minute.

Antrim went in front again Jonny Rogers scoring on the 31st minute but Mallusk came back to equalise with Ross Middleton scoring on the 65th minute.

Rovers took the lead for a third time with Jonny Rogers completing his hat-trick on the 69th minute and then bringing his tally to five in the game with goals on the 78th and 89th minutes.

With the game in stoppage time Ben Connolly scored Antrim sixth goal.

Other results: Carnlough Swifts 3, Ballynure Old Boys Youth 3; Dundrod Old Boys 4, Grange Rangers II 1; Woodlands 6, Newtownabbey FC 3.

Midweek results: Dundrod Old Boys 0, Mallusk Athletic 1; Newtownabbey FC Reserves 4, Ballynure Old Boys Youth 7.

CANADA TROPHY ROUND TWO

Chimney Corner Reserves 4, Desertmartin Swifts 3 (aet): Goals came quickly in this game with Jack Kelly scoring on the 3rd minute to put Corner in front only to see Ryan Stewart equalise for the Swifts on the 5th minute.

After this flurry of goals the next goal was not scored until Paul McIntyre put Corner back in front on the 41st minute but the Swifts came back with Darren Bartlett equalising on the 52nd minute.

No more goals were scored though the Swifts missed a penalty kick before goals from Paul McIntyre and Jamie Nutter saw the Corner two goals clear in extra time.

Swifts then got a second penalty which Ryan Stewart scored but in the final minutes, Corner held out for the win.

Other result: Newtownabbey Sevens 2, Ballyclare Comrades Reserves 1 (aet).