Saturday Morning League season kicks off with new sponsor

The Ballymena Saturday Morning League kicks off this Saturday with a new sponsor, Ballymena Mortgages, who have had previous sponsorship dealings with the League over a number of years.

The men behind the sponsorship deal are Joe Burrell who had a distinguished career with Wakehurst and several Irish League clubs and is currently Manager of third Division Glenravel he is being backed up with a business colleague Paul Dalzell and are proud to sponsor the BSML.

John Kirk (manager) and Alex Agnew (committee) of Galgorm Blues FC are pictured receiving sponsorship from Kieran McAtamney, of K&G McAtamney. INBT31-207AC

placeholder image — John Kirk (manager) and Alex Agnew (committee) of Galgorm Blues FC are pictured receiving sponsorship from Kieran McAtamney, of K&G McAtamney. INBT31-207AC

Chairman Davy King after completing the negotiations along with League Secretary Brian Montgomery was full of praise for the sponsorship from Ballymena Mortgages especially in this financial climate.

The sad news at the start of this season is that two teams, although registered to play this season have had to fold.

The two teams are Inver Athletic from Larne who played in Division Two and 3rd Division Wakehurst Athletic with both finding it hard to get interest from players.

This means that Division Two will run with 13 teams and only two teams will now be relegated while Division Three will have 11 teams participating this season.

FIXTURES

Matches for this Saturday, August 3, are:

BSML Division One (10.15am): Harryville Homers v Michelin (Wakehurst 3); Ahoghill Rovers v Carniny Rangers (Ahoghill); FC Penarol v All Saints OB (Showgrounds 5); Shore Wanderers v Randalsatown Sky Blues (Forum); Carnlough Swifts v Clough Rangers; Abbeyview v Ahoghill Thistle (Forum); Ballykeel v FC Moylena (Ballykeel).

BSML Division Two: North End Shamrocks v Cloughmills (Dunfane 1); Seven Towers v Raceview (Showgrounds 4); Cushendall v Riverdale; St Comgalls v FC Antrim; Waveney Swifts v Holywell (Waveney 2),

BSML Division Three Promotion Play Off: Connor FC v Newpark Olympic (Wakehurst 6).

BSML Division Three: Templepatrick v Lisnafillian Swifts (Forum); Steadfast v FC Bayern Money (Galgorm); Atletico Antrim v Glenravel (Forum); Woodside v Galgorm Blues (Wakehurst 4).

Monday, August 5 - County Antrim Post O’Kane Cup 1st Round (7pm): Randalstown Sky Blues v North End Shamrocks; Cullybackey Olympic v Newpark Olympic (Tober Park); Shore Wanderers v Cloughmills (Forum); Lisnafillan Swifts v Carniny Rangers (Showgrounds 4); Atletico Antrim v FC Antrim (Forum); Braid United v All Saints OB (Broughshane).