SML round-up: Rainey’s ‘extra’ special winner sees Homers through Junior Cup test

Harryville Homers were given a stern examination before getting their latest Coca-Cola Irish Junior Cup adventure underway.
Cllr. Timothy Gaston and Jim Allister MLA present sponsored footballs to David Armstrong, Robert Duddy (manager) and Bam Craig of Harryville Homers. INBT39-230ACCllr. Timothy Gaston and Jim Allister MLA present sponsored footballs to David Armstrong, Robert Duddy (manager) and Bam Craig of Harryville Homers. INBT39-230AC
Cllr. Timothy Gaston and Jim Allister MLA present sponsored footballs to David Armstrong, Robert Duddy (manager) and Bam Craig of Harryville Homers. INBT39-230AC

Last season’s beaten finalists had to wait until extra-time before seeing off 10-man Ballybogey.

IRISH JUNIOR CUP

Harryville Homers 2, Ballybogey 1 (aet): Paul McNeill rattled the crossbar inside the opening five minutes but despite having the lion’s share of the play, Homers found themselves a goal down midway through the half when David Gibson’s last ditch challenge only resulted in him putting the ball into his own net.

The match exploded into life at the start of the second half when Ballybogey’s William Beckett received his marching orders for violent conduct.

Despite having a man extra, Homers continued to be frustrated by the woodwork as Darren Campbell and Paul McNeill both hit uprights with the keeper seemingly well beaten.

With 20 minutes to go the Harryville side deservedly drew level through Ryan Stewart. The marauding full back cut inside onto his right foot and watched his 20 yard effort beat the Ballybogey keeper low into the bottom corner.

McNeill again hit the bar late on as the tie went to extra time where Alan Rainey scored the winner, cutting in from the right and unleashing a left-foot shot that went in off the post.

Carniny Rangers got a walk over in their tie against Limavady United Youths who withdrew. This leaves 4 teams from BSML - Harryville Homers, Carniny Rangers, FC Antrim and FC Moylena - in the draw on Wednesday night.

CO ANTRIM POST O’KANE CUP

Clough Rangers 1, Ahoghill Thistle 2: Thistle continue their unbeaten run but they have to thank their goalkeeper Stewart McDonald for saving a late penalty after Emmanuel Okai-Kawi had put them into a two goal lead.

Clough started this game well and attacked Thistle but they never really tested Stewart McDonald.

The opening goal for Thistle came on the 40th minute when Matt Boyd took his marker on down the wing before he sent the ball over for David Tennant to head downwards to Emmanuel Okai-Kwai who cooly slotted home from 12 yards.

At the start of the second half the visitors started to move the ball well and caused Clough defence problems but never tested the Clough keeper.

Thistle pressure paid off when George Courtney swung a corner in and it landed at Emmanuel Okai-Kkwai who drilled the ball low and hard into the net.

Clough pulled a goal back when Richard Gregg crossed the ball into the penalty area and Jordan Leighton was on hand to bundle the ball home.

Then with 4 minutes to go Clough got the chance to level the match when they were awarded a penalty kick but Colin Byers’ spot kick was brilliantly saved by Thistle keeper Stewart McDonald and Cloughs last chance was gone.

Thistle should have extended their lead in the dying minutes but Clough keeper Ally McIlroy made a good block from Alan Moore but Emmanuel Okai-Kwai two goals was enough to put them into the Quarter Final

BALLYMENA MORTGAGES DIVISION ONE

All Saints OB 5, Michelin 0: Saints turned in a five star performance to secure a well earned victory over rivals Michelin who had done the double over them last year.

The home side took the game to Michelin from the off and got the breakthrough on eight minutes when Gavin Burnside side slide the ball through for Philip Lynn to race clear and he drove the ball home beating Sean Ward in the Michelin goal at his near post.

Saints got their second goal close to half-time when Peter McReynolds broke clear and was pulled down in the box by Michelin keeper Sean Ward and the penalty was awarded. Gavin Burnside stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to send his side in 2-0 to the good at the break.

Saints started the second half on top and made it 3-0 10 minutes in when pressure from the Saints frontmen caused a hurried back pass to Sean Ward which was intercepted by Philip Lynn who was fouled by Sean Ward and the penalty was awarded, and to add to Michelin’s woes, Ward received a second yellow card and was sent off. Again Burnside stepped up and fired low into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

This killed the game as a contest and Saints controlled the game from here on in without creating many clear cut chances until they made it 4-0 15 minutes from time when Ryan Brady laid the ball into the path of Aidan O’Kane who found the corner of the net from 25 yards out.

Peter McReynolds got just reward for his hard work when he was put in by Burnside five minutes from time and he fired home from 12 yards.

OTHER RESULTS

Coca Cola Cup Irish Junior Cup, round one: Upperlands 3, Templepatrick 0; Randalstown Sky Blues 3, Greencastle Rovers 5.

County Antrim Junior Shield, round one: Ahoghill Rovers 2, Carniny Amateurs 4.

County Antrim Post O’Kane Cup, round three: Connor FC 3, FC Penarol 0.

Ballymena Mortgages BSML Division One: Ballykeel 1, Abbeyview 4; FC Moylena 6, Carnlough Swifts 2.

Ballymena Mortgages BSML Division Two: Braid United 2, Seven Towers 4; Cloughmills 2, Holywell 6; FC Antrim 2, Cushendall 1; North End Shamrocks 11, Riverdale 2; St Comgalls 2, Raceview 1 (match abandoned); Waveney Swifts 5, Randalstown 1.

Ballymena Mortgages BSML Division Three: Atletico Antrim 0, Cullybackey Olympic 1; Galgorm Blues 6, Wakehurst Star 1; Lisnafillan Swifts 0, Glenravel 2; Newpark Olympic 5, FC Bayern Money 0; Woodside 7, Steadfast 1.

FIXTURES

Saturday 28th September - Co Antrim Junior Shield 1st Round (1.30pm): Ballysillan Elim v Lisnafillan Swifts; FC Penarol v Stranmillis 37th A (Showgrounds 5); Carniny Rangers v Belvoir III (Wakehurst 1); Saintfield United II v Clough Rangers; Abbeyview v Malachians II (Forum); Holywell v Albert Foundry II (Forum); Steadfast v Dundonald II (Galgorm); Waveney Swifts v Newington Rangers II (Waveney 2); Clonduff v Connor FC; Ahoghill Thistle v Ballywalter Rec II (Ahoghill); Ballynafeigh YM v Cloughmills; Michelin v Comber YM.

Ballymena Mortgages Division One (10.15am): Randalstown Sky Blues v All Saints OB; Harryville Homers v FC Moylena (Wakehurst 2); Ballykeel v Ahoghill Rovers (Ballykeel); Carnlough Swifts v Shore Wanderers.

Ballymena Mortgages Division Two: Braid United v St Comgalls (Broughshane); Cushendall FC v Riverdale; Seven Towers v FC Antrim (Showgrounds 4); North End Shamrocks v Raceview (Dunfane).

Ballymena Mortgages Division Three: Atletico Antrim v Templepatrick (Forum); Newpark Olympic v Glenravel (Forum); Cullybackey Olympic v FC Bayern Money (Tobar Park); Woodside v Wakehurst Star (Wakehurst 4).