SML round-up: Homers win top-of-table clash with Saints

Robert Duddy’s side won their big top-of-the-tabel clash against All Saints Old Boys by two goals to nil at Wakehurst.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION ONE

Harryville Homers 2, All Saints OB 0: A goal in either half was enough for Champions Homers to claim all three points against league leaders Saints in a game played on a pitch which became extremely heavy for both sides.

After a scrappy start Homers got their noses in front on eight minutes when Saints only half cleared a Gary Baird free kick from the half way line to Ryan Stewart 35 yards out and he fired in a magnificent volley which found the top corner of the net giving Brian Martin no chance.

Justin Rowe fired a free kick over from 25 yards out as Homers went in search of a second goal, and then just before half time Saints had two chances to draw level, first when Philip Lynn narrowly missed diverting a Joe Scullion cross home and then Joe Scullion broke clear bit his shot was deflected off James Gracey into the hands of Ryan Martin as the half finished with Homers in front.

The second half saw the torrential rain continue and this made it very difficult for both sides to get the ball down and play football. Ryan Stewart almost got his second goal of the game on the hour mark when he smashed a free kick from 25 yards through the Saints wall but Brian Martin brilliantly saved and held with three Homers players rushing in.

Midway through the half Homers doubled their lead. Darren Campbell broke forward for Homers and slipped in Richard Reid in the left channel, his shot was going wide, but stuck in the mud in the six yard box giving Alan Rainey the easiest of tap ins to make it 2-0.

Late on Gary Bonnes almost scored with an audacious long range effort which would have put the icing on the cake for Homers.

Glenravel 9, Riverdale 2: It took the home side only four minutes to open the scoring when Conan Dunne collected the ball 20 yards out and drove the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Six minutes later it was 2-0 when Chris Djorjani flicked home an Emmet Kerr right wing cross.

Riverdale hit back 10 minutes later when Clarke Lennox clipped a great ball into Michael Kernohan and he headed home to reduce the deficit to one goal.

This sparked Glenravel back into life as they hit four goals in 20 minutes to give them a 6-1 half time lead. Dale Mitchell scored from long range to make it 3-1 on 25 minutes before Emmet Kerr cut in from the right and fired low into the corner of the net to make it 4-1.

Conan Dunne got his second of the game when he scored from close range after good work from Colin Moore to make it 5-1 and then just before half time Moore completed a great first half when he made it 6-1 after collecting a deflected Kerr cross.

Riverdale capitalised on Glenravel complacency at the start of the second half when John McIlwrath slotted home after being played in by Clarke Lennox.

But Glenravel regained their five goal lead just after the hour mark when Conan Dunne completed his hat trick with another goal from long range. Glenravel added two more goals late on with Chris Djorjani scoring his second with a similar goal to his first and then Moore completed his brace as well when he pounced to fire home after a Djorjani shot had been blocked.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION TWO

Carnlough Swifts 3, Waveney Swifts 1: In a nine minute spell in the first half league leaders Carnlough hit three goals. The first coming on 25 minutes when Sean Ward slipped in Dylan McLaughlin in the left hand channel and he slotted into the corner of the net.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 when the same two combined to score and identical goal with young Dylan McLaughlin doubling his tally. On 34 minutes it was 3-0 when Benny McDermott got to the by line, beat his man and crossed for Hugh Pat McNally to volley home from six yards out.

Waveney got a goal back to keep the game alive on the stroke of half time when Steven Carmichael smashed the ball home from 20 yards out after an Aaron Murray corner was only half cleared but that was the end of the scoring.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION THREE

Atletico Antrim 3, Southside Rangers 1: Midway through the first half Southside got the goal their play deserved when Sam McNiece converted from the spot after Daniel Hogg was tripped in the box. Atletico responded just before half time as Andy Campbell broke down the right and drove in field before firing the ball home from 20 yards out.

Atletico got themselves in front on the hour mark when substitute Andy Mulholland rose highest to head home a Neil Stevenson corner.

Southside had a great chance to draw level with 10 minutes to go but Ryan Corrigan had his shot saved when left clear. In the final minute of the game Atletico sealed all three points when David Thompson fired home a penalty kick after he had been fouled.

IRISH JUNIOR CUP

Carniny Rangers received an easy passage into the last 16 of the Junior Cup as their opponents Knockmonagh Swifts failed to travel and Carniny were awarded a walkover result. Ahoghill Thistle will have to try again next week as their game against Enniskillen Town United feel fowl to the weather.

Harryville Homers will this week know the outcome of their third round tie with Donaghmore which is subject to a decision by the Irish Junior Cup Committee.

OTHER RESULTS

firmus energy Division One: Clough Rangers 4 Ballykeel 2; FC Moylena 0 Raceview 1; Newpark Olympic 1 Abbeyview 2.

firmus energy Division Two: Holywell 3 FC Penarol 6; Michelin 5 Cushendall 2; Randalstown 8 Galgorm Blues 0; Woodside 4 Sporting Ballymoney 4

firmus energy Division Three: Carniny Amateurs & Youth 4 Braid United 3; Steadfast 1 Rubys Rovers 8; Wakehurst Star 2 Cullybackey Olympic 3.

FIXTURES

Saturday, January 16 - IFA Junior Cup, round 4 (1.30pm): Ahoghill Thistle v Enniskillen Town United (Ahoghill).

firmus energy Division One (10.15am): Abbeyview v FC Moylena (Forum); All Saints OB v Glenravel (Showgrounds 5); Ballykeel v Riverdale (Ballykeel); Harryville Homers v Clough Rangers (Wakehurst 2); Raceview v Carniny Rangers (Broughshane).

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

firmus energy Division Three: Atletico Antrim v St Comgalls (Forum); Cullybackey Olympic v Steadfast (Tober Park); Northend & District v Templepatrick (Dunfane); Rubys Rovers v Carniny Amateurs & Youths; Southside Rangers v Wakehurst Star (Wakehurst 1).