SML round-up: Ballykeel, Carniny into Junior Shield quarter-finals

Both sides recorded impressive wins to reach the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition.

CO ANTRIM JUNIOR SHIELD

Ballykeel 3, Kelvin OB 1: It took the Amateur League visitors only three minutes to open the scoring when they caught the Ballykeel defence not switched on.

Ballykeel came more into the game and got a deserved equaliser after 20 minutes. A great flowing move saw Barry Bonnes played the ball down the left for Justin Rowe who after a great run squared the ball to Jordan Kenny who picked his spot in the net.

Ballykeel opened the second half as the visitors had started the first with a goal within 5 minutes. Justin Rowe started the move before sending Jordan Kenny away down the left and he sent in a deep cross for the inrushing Barry Bonnes to side foot home.

Seven minutes from full-time Ballykeel struck with their third goal which started when Dale Mitchell won the ball in mid field and played the ball to Jordan Kenny on the left and he squared the ball to Chris Djordani who found the net from the edge of the penalty area. Ballykeel now travel to play Ballynahinch Olympic in the last eight.

Carniny Rangers 3, Willowbank 2: The home side created a couple of early chances and after having come close to scoring Rico Wylie put them ahead in the 20th minute.

Things were levelled up though in the 31st minute when Nathan Garland-O’Neill netted from close range.

Richard Reid was proving to be Carniny’s main attacking threat and he put his side ahead once more a minute before the break with a fine header from Frazer Young’s cross.

Willowbank’s doggedness was rewarded after a period of pressure when Garland-O’Neill got his second after his shot took a big deflection off James Gracey to level things up in the 61st minute.

As the stalemate continued Leslie McCaughern’s through ball in the 78th minute was missed by the keeper leaving Rico Wylie in a one on one battle with a Willowbank defender. The Carniny attacker held off the pressure to net from a few yards to give his side the lead for the third time.

In the other Junior Shield to feature a BSML side All Saints travelled to Twinbrook to play St Lukes and found them a difficult team to beat on their artificial pitch and lost 5-1.

BALLYMENA MORTGAGES DIVISION ONE

Harryville Homers 4 Ahoghill Thistle 2: Homers took an early lead through Jason Logan after the speedy wide man cut in off his wing and unleashed a well placed right foot shot that went in off the upright.

Five minutes later Homers went two up when Paul McNeill was on target for the fifth game in a row, the striker slotting home with Gary Bonnes claiming the assist.

Captain Bonnes then put further daylight between his side and their opponents when he converted a Ryan Stewart cross from close range.

The champions were seemingly in full control but they then lost Paul McNeill who received his second yellow card of the game after just 25 minutes.

The visitors didn’t enjoy the numerical advantage for long as their keeper also saw red for hauling down Jason Logan in the box after being rounded. Darren Campbell stepped up to convert the resultant penalty.

Ahoghill got on the score sheet themselves when Matthew Boyd calmly converted from the spot himself, sending the keeper the wrong way in the process.

With a whirlwind first half drawing to a close, Homers were award another penalty when Ricky Nicholl was upended in the box. This time Darren Campbell could only watch as the replacement keeper Stephen French turned his spot kick around the post.

With an hour on the clock Homers were reduced to nine men as Gary Baird was sent off for his part in an off the ball incident. Near the end, Ryan Tennant scored in off the post during a goal mouth scramble but it was a case of too little too late for the visitors.

BALLYMENA MORTGAGES DIVISION TWO

Raceview beat Braid United 3-0 in the Broughshane Derby and extend their lead at the top as rivals St Comgalls and Connor didn’t play.

FC Antrim hit Cushendall for six and this puts them in with a chance of the a Play Offs while Cushendall are now in a dog fight to avoid relegation. Riverdale were beat 5-0 by Cloughmills which leaves Riverdale close to the relegation spots.

BALLYMENA MORTGAGES DIVISION THREE

Templepatrick 3, Cullybackey Olympic 4: Olympic got an early goal when a quick break by Stuart Agnew created the chace as he slipped the ball into Ross Steele who slotted home for first goal for his new club.

But within 5 minutes Templepatrick levelled when they were awarded a penalty when William Coulter was brought down. He dusted himself down and stepped up to slot home the spot kick.

With half an hour gone Cullybackey went 2-1 up when Steele was on hand to tap in his second of the game.

Jason Peacock put Cullybackey 3-1 up but Templepatrick refused to give in and a mix-up in the Cullybackey defence let Sam Rolston in to score.

Midway through the second half Jason Peacock scored his second with a brilliant free kick.

Ricky Shaw fired home a third for Templepatrick to set up a nervous finish but Cullybackey held out for their first win of 2014.

LEAGUE MEETING

The next BSML Meeting is on Monday 27th January at the new venue Michelin Social Club with an 8pm start.

OTHER RESULTS

Ballymena Mortgages Division One: Abbeyview 2, Michelin 4; Ahoghill Rovers 1, Shore Wanderers 4; FC Penarol 4, FC Moylena 3; Randalstown Sky Blues 0, Clough Rangers 1.

Ballymena Mortgages Division Three: FC Bayern Money 2, Steadfast 1; Wakehurst Star 0, Glenravel 6.

FIXTURES

Saturday, January 25 - Rainey Cup round one (10.15am): Cloughmills v Newpark OIlympic; Ahoghill Rovers v Carniny Rangers; Shore Wanderers v Raceview (Forum); Holywell v FC Moylena (Forum); Lisnafillan Swifts v Cushendall (Showgrounds 4).

Rainey Cup round two: Galgorm Blues v Ballykeel; Connor FC v St Comgalls; Templepatrick v Ahoghill Thistle (Forum); Cullybackey Olympic v Woodside (Tober Park); Glenravel v Braid United (Waveney 2); Harryville Homers v Wakehurst Star (Wakehurst 2); All Saints OB v Riverdale (Showgrounds 5); FC Bayern Money v Abbeyview.

Ballymena Mortgages Division One: Carnlough Swifts v Michelin.

Ballymena Mortgages Division Two: Randalstown v Waveney Swifts; FC Antrim v Seven Towers (Forum).