Raceview back on top of the pile

As expected, Jason Cairns' side had too much know-how for bottom-of-the-table Portglenone - but the real bonus came as Raceview's nearest challengers Dunloy fell to a surprise defeat at FC Ballynure, meaning the Broughshane men have taken over again at the top of the Michelin Athletic Club-sponsored championship.

Raceview travel to Dunloy this weekend in what could prove a crucial clash in the race for the title.

FIXTURES

Matches involving locally-based sides this Saturday, February 20, are:

Intermediate League: Portglenone v Coleraine Crusaders; Clough Rangers Athletic v Desertmartin; Dunloy v Raceview.

Junior Division One: Ballyclare Com Res v Chimney Corner Res; Carniny Amateurs v Newtownabbey FC.

Junior Division Three: Antrim Rovers v Carnlough Swifts.

INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE

Raceview 7, Portglenone 0: Raceview took the lead after David Tennant scored on the 5th minute then added to this with goals scored by Gareth Mott and Philip McBurney on the 11th and 30th minutes.

As half-time approached David Tennant scored his second goal on the 39th minute putting the home side four goals clear at the break.

Philip McBurney scored his second goal on the 57th minute but credit to Portglenone they never gave up but lacked the finishing touch around goal.

Raceview then wrapped the game up with goals scored by David Tennant and Steven Hutchinson on the 71st and 84th minutes.

Brantwood 2, Clough Rangers Athletic 1: This was the first game for Clough since December 19 and it showed, particularly in the second half against a slick moving Brantwood who have built up a good all round team as the season had progressed. C

lough took the lead on the 14th minute when Justin Bell scored and held this until Paul Heatley equalised for Brantwood on the 28th minute.

Half-time saw the teams still level then on the 46th minute Jonny Hannah scored a crucial goal for Brantwood.

Other results: FC Ballynure 5, Dunloy 2; Ballynure Old Boys 5, Ballycastle United 1; Kilbride Swifts 0, Coleraine Crusaders 2; Rasharkin United 2, Desertmartin 3.

JUNIOR DIVISION ONE

Cookstown Athletic 2, Carniny Amateurs 1: Carniny started off well in this game and took the lead after Tyler Norwood scored the opening goal on the 10th minute.

After this both teams tended to cancel each other out and it was the 50th minute before the Athletic got the equaliser scored by Nigel Johnston.

This then set the game up for a good finish and the decisive goal went the way of the Athletic when Mark Loughran scored with a well directed free kick on the 81st minute.

Chimney Corner Reserves 1, Ballynure Old Boys 'B' 1: Ballynure took the lead on the 25th minute after Stewart Crymble made a good run on the right wing before cutting in and scoring from a very narrow angle.

Half-time saw Ballynure still in front then on the 57th minute, Corner got a deserved equaliser scored by Gary Brown which saw the teams share the points at the end.

Raceview Athletic 1, Ballymoney United Reserves 2: Raceview took an early lead after Stewart Kenny scored on the 6th minute and at half-time were still leading by this goal.

Ballymoney got back on level terms after an own goal on the 50th minute and then took the lead when Colm Kirgan scored on the 61st minute. Raceview tried hard to force an equaliser after this and can count themselves unfortunate not to have taken a point from the game.

Other results: FC Larne 2, Killymoon Rangers Reserves 2; Newtownabbey FC 3, Ballyclare Comrades Reserves 2; Glebe Rangers Reserves 2, Newtownabbey Sevens 3; Magherafelt Sky Blues 1, Tobermore United Reserves 2.

JUNIOR DIVISION TWO

Results: 3rd Ballyclare Old Boys 5, Moyola Park Olympic 1; Desertmartin Swifts 0, FC Ballynure Reserves 2; Demesne Strollers 0, Red Star 3; Finvoy 3, Cookstown Olympic Colts 4.

JUNIOR DIVISION THREE

Antrim Rovers 2, Ballyclare United 2: These two teams shared 10 goals the previous Saturday but with the defences being on top from early on it suggested there would be no repeat this time.

The first goal in the game was scored by Jonny Rodgers on the 35th minute putting the Rovers into the lead which was short-lived as Barry McNicholl equalised for Ballyclare on the 38th minute.

No more goals were scored until Jonny Rodgers scored his second goal in the game and this appeared to have won the game for the Rovers until Aaron Brown converted a penalty for Ballyclare on the 83rd minute.

Other results: Ballynure Old Boys Youth 2, Grange Rangers II 2; Carnlough Swifts 2, Woodlands 4; Newtownabbey Sevens Reserves 5, Mallusk Athletic 5; Newtownabbey FC Reserves 1, Dundrod Old Boys 4.