SML round-up: Thistle spring surprise to end Carniny run

The multiple title-winning manager was back in charge of Carniny after reconsidering his earlier decision to step down but he saw his side lose their unbeaten record in the Arkmedia Division One after losing a seven goal thriller to Thistle, who were inspired by a fabulous double strike from David Tennant.

BSML DIVISION ONE

Carniny Rangers 3, Ahoghill Thistle 4: This was a magnificent advertisement for the BSML with Ahoghill Thistle winning a seven goal thriller thanks to two brilliant goals from David Tennant which was enough to stop Carniny Rangers unbeaten League run.

Thistle served a warning after 10 minutes that they were up for it when they had the ball in the net through David Brown but it was ruled offside.

At the other end Carniny 3 minutes later got the opener when a floated ball into the penalty area by Leslie McCaughern was headed into the net by Chris Dowie who beat Thistle goalkeeper Stewart McDonnell to the cross and was floored for his effort.

Carniny looked in control after the first goal but they let Thistle in 5 minutes later to steal an equaliser when Gary Tennant played a speculative low cross across the penalty area which looked to be going wide until David Campbell popped up at the back post to fire home.

Play flowed from end to end with Thistle’s David Tenant smashing the ball against the crossbar then Rangers Stephen Greene had a shot well saved by Thistle keeper Stewart McDonald.

Thistle took the lead on 38 minutes when a Philip McBurney corner kick was headed on by David Campbell and Daniel Brown was on hand to head home and give Thistle the lead for the first time in the match.

Thistle finished off a great first half performance with a third goal and what a goal it was from David Tennant. A long ball was played up field to David Tennant who turned his marker and from 25 yards fired a shot into the top half of the net to give Thistle a deserved 3-1 lead.

Carniny got off to the best start of the second half with a goal within a minute. Substitute Frazer Young played the ball to Maurice McDowell who cut inside his marker and from 20 yards sent the ball into the net.

This should have sparked a revival from Carniny but it was Thistle who got the next goal after 14 minutes. David Tennant collected the ball in mid field and played the ball out to his brother Gary who played the ball into the penalty area for David to force the ball home and restore Thistle’s 2 goal lead.

Chris Dowie hit the bar for Carniny as they tried to get into the game. Then with 15 minutes to go Thistle broke but Emmanuel Okai-Kwai when well placed was thwarted by Carniny keeper Alex McCosh and Carniny broke up field and got their third goal.

Maurice McDowell was the architect with a mazy run down the left before floating over the ball for Leslie McCaughern to head home and put extra pressure on the Thistle defence.

Although Carniny pushed for an equaliser the Thistle defence held on for a memorable win.

FC Penarol 0, Clough Rangers 5: Clough are the only BSML team still in the Junior Shield and Junior Cup and on Saturday they took this form into their match with FC Penarol and came away with a five goal win

Clough started the game at a blistering pace and the game could have been over as a contest in the first ten minutes but for some great goalkeeping from Colin McCaughern in the Penarol goal.

Clough took the lead five minutes in when great approach play by David Nicholl and Kyle McRoberts left Jordan Leighton in on goal and Clough top marksman kept his cool to slot past McCaughern.

David Nicholl almost doubled the lead 2 minutes later when he met an Alan Moore cross on the volley but was denied by a great save from Penarol keeper McCaughern.

On 10 minutes Jordan Leighton picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and went on a fine solo run bursting past three Penarol defenders but again was thwarted by the last line of defence McCaughern.

David Nicholl was the provider for Clough’s second on 15 minutes. He received the ball from Aaron Foster wide on the right before delivering an inch perfect header for Jordan Leighton who rose highest and notched his second with a fine header into the top right hand corner of the net.

Clough’s play was very bright and sharp and a quick corner on the half hour brought about the third goal. Alan Moore saw Aaron Foster free on the edge of the box and he took a touch before rifling a fierce drive into the roof of the net.

Penarol thought they had got one back ten minutes before the break when Trevor McAleese rose highest from a corner but he was denied by Mark Kerr who cleared off the line.

The game was over as a contest five minutes from the break. This time Penarol were architects of their own downfall. They were trying to play out from the back when Chris Rock played it back to his keeper who took a poor touch and was subsequently robbed by Alan Moore who had the easy task of rolling into the empty net and send Clough in four up at half time .

It was five early in the second half. This was a great counter attack from the edge of their own box Colin Byers made up a lot of ground before playing into David Nicholl who controlled and swivelled before splitting the Penarol defence for Kyle McRoberts who showed great composure sliding into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

David Nicholl who was denied on three or four occasions in a running battle with the Penarol keeper eventually beat him when a poor clearance landed at his feet and he turned and lobbed a shot which had Colin McCaughern beaten all ends up but agonizingly dropped on top of the net.

Penarol to their credit never gave up and continued to fight and were unfortunate not to get a consolation goal when they hit the bar late on.

Clough will hope to take this form into Saturday’s 4th round Junior Shield match versus Riada.

ARKMEDIA DIVISION TWO

FC Antrim 2, Abbeyview 2: This was the big Antrim Derby in Division Two when FC Antrim took on Abbeyview in a game which was between two teams challenging for promotion to Division One but a goal from Stephen Holden 8 minutes from time meant both teams had to share the spoils.

The first half hour was mainly confined to a mid field battle as both teams knew the importance of this match and their promotion chances.

The break through came of the half hour mark when a cross from David Thompson caused confusion in the Antrim defence and Jackie Todd was on hand to fire home the opener.

Antrim went in search of the equaliser but had to wait until 11 minutes from half time when Scott Millar won a ball in midfield and hit a volley from all of 30 yards which finished in the net and sent the two teams in level at half time.

Antrim started the second half on top but Abbeyview were always dangerous on the break and they regained their lead after 17 minutes when Roy Robinson hit a sreamer from 20 yards to give Abbeyview the lead.

Although Antrim pushed hard for the equaliser the nearest they went to scoring was a shot by Ryan Summers which hit the bar. Just when Abbeyview looked like winning 2-1

Antrim struck with an equaliser 8 minutes from time when Sean Redmond made a run down the right and played the ball to Stephen Holden who cut inside his marker and found the net with a low shot.

Both teams had chances late on with the best falling to Abbeyview who were awarded a free kick 22 yards out which Jackie Todd took but unfortunately for Abbeyview his shot skimmed past the post and both teams had to settle for a point apiece.

ARKMEDIA DIVISION THREE

Connor 0, Riverdale 1: Riverdale go top of Division Three with this win but this youthful team knew they were in a battle as Connor pushed them all the way.

The first half was a struggle for both teams to create chance as both defences were well on top so it was no surprise they went in levela t half time.

Riverdale finally broke the deadlock 16 minutes into the second half when they were awarded a free kick on the left which Colin Moore took and curled the ball into the far corner of the net.

After this opener it was end to end stuff with Mervyn Crawford forcing Riverdale keeper Stephen Quigley to pull off two great saves to keep Riverdale lead intact.

With minutes left Riverdale had a great chance to double their lead when a cross across the penalty area by Colin Moore was met by Lee Balmer sliding in but the ball finished up the wrong side of the post.

This young side are now top and with games in hand of their nearest challengers so they will be main challengers for the Division Three Title.

OTHER RESULTS

ArkMedia Division One: Ahoghill Rovers 0, Michelin 4; Randalstown Sky Blues 6, FC Moylena 2.

ArkMedia Division Two: Ballykeel 4, Randalstown 2; Braid United 2, Cloughmills Thistle 0; Holywell 1, Cushendall 1.

ArkMedia Division Three: Glenravel 1, Waveney Swifts 3; Lisnafillan Swifts 9, FC Bayern Money 0; Templepatrick 1, Wakehurst Athletic 4; Woodside 4, Wakehurst Star 7.

FIXTURES

Saturday, December 15 - Co Antrim Junior Shield 4th Round (1.30pm): Riada v Clough Rangers; All Saints OB v Killough (Showgrounds 5); Ballynagross FC v North End Shamrocks; Carnlough Swifts v Shankill Elin “A”.

County Antrim Post O’Kane Cup Semi Final (10.15am): Ahoghill Rovers v Harryville Homers (Showgrounds 4).

ArkMedia Division One: Carniny Rangers v FC Moylena (Wakehurst 6); Dunloy Athletic v Randalstown Sky Blues; Michelin v FC Penarol.

ArkMedia Division Two: Atletico Antrim v Holywell (Forum); Abbeyview v Galgorm Blues (Forum); Braid United v Cullybackey Olympic (Broughshane); Cloughmills Thistle v FC Antrim; Cushendall v Ballykeel; Randalstown v Inver Athletic.

ArkMedia Division Three: FC Bayern Money v Steadfast; Newpark Olympic v Glenravel (Forum); Templepatrick v Connor (Forum); Raceview Athletic v Woodside (Wakehurst 4); Riverdale v St Comgalls (Wakehurst 3); Wakehurst Star v Wakehurst Athletic (Dunfane 1); Waveney Swifts v Lisnafillan Swifts (Waveney 2).