SML round-up: Homers complete O’Kane Cup semi-final line-up

Robert Duddy’s side beat Abbeyview 9-1 to set up a semi-final showdown with All Saints, while Carniny Rangers and Ahoghill Thsitle had already set up a mouth-watering showdown in the other last four tie.

CO ANTRIM POST O’KANE CUP

Harryville Homers 9, Abbeyview 1: The game had only gone five minutes when Homers had raced into a two goal lead. Paul McNeill rounded the keeper before slotting in for the first and Ryan Stewart scored number two with a twenty yard left foot drive.

Homers soon made it three when David Nicholl scored with a sharp finish into the bottom corner. Paul McNeill added a fourth goal with a pile driver from the edge of the box to send the holders in four goals to the good at the break.

Paul McNeill completed his hat trick shortly after the break finishing off a through ball from Jason Logan.

Roy Robinson pulled one back for the visitors from a direct free kick on the edge of the box, but this only angered Homers as they made it 6-1 when Ryan Stewart scored with another long ranger.

Mark McKay was rewarded for his midfield industry when he also chipped in with a left foot shot for number seven.

Homers were awarded a penalty after David Nicholl was fouled in the box. Gary Baird was quickest to lift the ball before slotting home the resultant kick.

David Nicholl scored the ninth and final goal with a cross come shot over the keepers head just before the final whistle.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION ONE

All Saints OB 3, Clough Rangers 2:

Saints got back on track in the league as they beat Clough for the first time in two seasons, thanks to a strike from Alan Telford midway through the second half.

On 18 minutes the deadlock was broken when a superb through ball from Alan Telford found Philip Lynn in the clear and as he rounded Clough keeper Dean Adams he was fouled and the penalty kick was awarded. Peter McReynolds stepped up and fired low past Adams to give his side the lead.

The home side were on top now but were struggling to create any clear cut chances until just after the half hour mark they were awarded another penalty kick.

Alan Telford again played a great ball into the box for Stephen Sexton who turned his man but was upended and the spot kick was awarded. Peter McReynolds again stepped up and gave Dean Adams no chance to double his side’s lead.

Clough got rewards for their bright start to the second half when they were awarded a spot kick of their own when a Barry Bonnes cross was handled by a Saints defender.

Jordan Leighton smashed the ball down the middle from the spot kick to reduce the deficit to one.

Clough were on top now and six minutes later they levelled the game. Adrian McDonald flicked the ball over the top of the Saints defence finding Jordan Leighton unmarked and he headed his second goal of the game past Brian Martin.

Saints got the all important next goal on 68 minutes, Alan Telford collected the ball 25 yards out on the left hand side of the box ghosted inside and curled a brilliant effort into the top corner over Dean Adams to give his side a 3-2 lead which they held until the end.

Raceview 1, Newpark Olympic 4: Newpark claimed their third league win in a row with a great away victory to struggling Raceview.

Ben Armstrong opened the scoring for Newpark when he headed home a Rab Crawford cross.

A few minutes later Armstrong doubled the lead whenever he slotted past Ian Watt after his initial shot had been saved.

Raceview hit back after the break when Don McAllister was on hand to fire home after an Ian Millar corner was only half cleared.

Against the run of play a clearance from Rodney Crawford then hit Ben Armstrong on the back to play Henry Nutter in to coolly finish making it 3-1.

Just before the end David Killen went on a mazy run before firing in a shot which was saved and fell to William Davidson to fire home and seal the win for Newpark.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION TWO

Cloughmills 0, Seven Towers 4: Towers recorded back to back wins to keep themselves in second spot in Division Two.

The first half was all Towers with them hitting the woodwork on no less than four occasions. In the opening five minutes both Matt McAnally and Gary McIlroy saw efforts crash off the post while later in the half Ross Hunter and Gary Taggart were denied by the crossbar.

Three minutes into the second half Towers got the breakthrough as Gary McIlroy split the home defence for Matt McAnally to race through and fire home.

Ten minutes later Matt McAnally doubled his and his sides tally when he turned on the edge of the box and fired in a shot which found the net after a slight deflection.

Towers were dominant again and they killed the game as a contest on 70 minutes when Ross Hunter scored with a fantastic 30 yard drive into the top corner of the net.

Towers were then awarded a penalty kick, but they failed to find the net with Paul Donegan blazing the spot kick over the bar.

With seven minutes to go Towers got their fourth and final goal when a Matt McAnally shot was saved and fell to Ryan Brady who controlled with his left foot before smashing the ball home with his right to secure a great win for his side.

OTHER RESULTS

firmus energy Division One: Ballykeel 1, Glenravel 4; Carniny Rangers 3, Riverdale 1

firmus energy BSML Division Two: Ahoghill Rovers 2, Sporting Ballymoney 1; Cushendall 1, Carnlough Swifts 5; Galgorm Blues 4, Woodside 4; Randalstown 1, Holywell 5; Waveney Swifts 3, Michelin 6.

firmus energy Division Three: Cullybackey Olympic 5, Rubys Rovers 2; Northend & District 2, Southside Rangers 3; St Comgalls 5, Steadfast 1; Wakehurst Star 2, Braid United 3; Templepatrick 2, Atletico Antrim 4.

FIXTURES

Saturday, November 14 - Toals County Antrim Junior Shield, round three (1.30pm): Belfast Celtic v Clough Rangers; Kashmir Bilbao v Glenravel; Rooftop v Carniny Rangers; Harryville Homers v Tullycarnat FC (Wakehurst 2); Ballycastle United v Ahoghill Thistle.

firmus energy Division One (10.15am): Abbeyview v All Saints OB (Forum); Ballykeel v Raceview (Ballykeel); Connor v FC Moylena (Connor); Newpark Olympic v Riverdale.

firmus energy Division Two: Ahoghill Rovers v Michelin (Ahoghill); Carnlough Swifts v Woodside; Cushendall v Galgorm Blues (Cargan); Holywell v Waveney Swifts (Forum); Seven Towers v Sporting Ballymoney (Showgrounds 4).

firmus energy Division Three: Atletico Antrim v St Comgalls (Forum); Braid United v Templepatrick (Broughshane); Carniny Amateurs & Youths v Steadfast (Showgrounds 7); Ruby’s Rovers v Northend and District; Southside Rangers v Cullybackey Olympic (Wakehurst 1),