SML round-up: Week of high drama - on and off the pitch

With the league still reeling from the withdrawal of Carniny Rangers from the Coca-COla Irish Junior Cup after it was discovered they had played an ineligible player, Saturday’s action on the pitch was no less eye-catching.

Harryville Homers failed to taste victory for only the second time all season when they were held to a scorless draw at Clough Rangers.

It could have been even worse for Rab Duddy’s side but for Clough missing a late penalty.

That slip might have opened up the door for leaders Ahoghill Thistle to strengthen their position at the top of the table - but at the same time, they were losing 1-0 at home to Junior Shield semi-finalists Ballykeel!

RAINEY CUP

Carniny Rangers 3, Michelin 0: After a dramatic week when Carniny withdrew from the Junior Cup once they discovered they had played an ineligible player they got back to local affairs and tie up this Cup Tie with a three goal win.

The home side raced into an early lead through pacy winger Jonny Spence, one of his side’s top performers on the day, when he netted after 6 minutes.

Ten minutes later Spence was the provider when his cross was met by Darren Kidd whose initial effort was blocked before Ryan Sands finished the job on 16 minutes for a two goal lead. Michelin were struggling to get a foothold in the game with danger man Michael McQuitty being closed out by Les McCaughern and this sent Carniny two up at half time.

Being forced into some efforts from distance Carniny added a third goal when Frazer Young arrowed a shot into the top right corner from over 30 yards out leaving the keeper no chance. The young midfielder enjoyed the plaudits from his team mates for what was a sensational effort in the 61st minute of the game.

BALLYMENA MORTGAGES DIVISION ONE

Ahoghill Thistle 0, Ballykeel 1: Despite playing into a strong wind and on a pitch that wasn’t suited to their normal passing game the Ballykeel boys showed strong character to restrict Thistle to very few chances in the first half while striking the bar following a great interchange between Justin Rowe and Jordan Kenny.

Playing with the strong wind in the second half this Ballykeel the belief to build a platform to go on and win the game in the second half. Substitute Barry Bonnes set up the winner 15 minutes from time with a great challenge and slipped in Justin Rowe who coolly slotted past the Thistle keeper.

Clough Rangers 0, Harryville Homers 0: Harryville Homers closed the gap on league leaders Ahoghill Thistle despite being held to a draw by a well drilled Clough Rangers.

Both defences took the plaudits in this game. On a small Clough pitch and in very blustery conditions chances were few and far between. Homers created the first clear cut chance of the game when Jason Logan raced through one on one with the Clough keeper Colin McCaughern but his effort was saved and went out for a corner.

The visitors started the second half slightly better than the home team. Clough old boy David Nicholl found space in the box but could only watch as his powerful drive was turned around the post by Colin McCaughren in the Rangers goal.

With the game seemingly petering out into a scoreless draw, Clough were awarded a penalty in the dying embers of the game.

Colin Byers stepped up to the spot with the chance to inflict a first league defeat on the Homers in 18 months but the pressure got to him as his spot kicked crashed back off the bar and the opportunity squandered and the deadlock still unbroken.

Shore Wanderers 2, All Saints OB 4: Saints continue their rise up the League Table with a convincing second half performance while this result does not help Shore’s relegation battle.

Saints started well and their early pressure paid off on 11 minutes when Ryan Brady split the home defence for Neil McGarry to bustle his way through and fire home.

Shore shocked Saints shortly after half time when Paul McCallin broke up the play and played in Dermot McWilliams who raced clear and fired past Brian Martin in Saints goal.

Saints rallied after this and regained the lead just before the hour mark when Ryan Brady scored direct from a corner.

Ten minutes later it was 3-1 when Donald Crawford won a tackle in midfield and drove into the box before firing into the bottom corner.

Neil McGarry made it 4-1 soon after when he volleyed home a Brian Watt corner on 70 minutes. Shore got a goal back on 82 minutes when Paul McCallin punished a defensive error.

BALLYMENA MORTGAGES DIVISION TWO

Raceview 2, Holywell 1: This was not League Leaders Raceview best performance but they got the result they needed to keep them top of Division Two.

Holywell’s defence was holding out until the 40th minute when Raceview struck with good play by Jamie Craig and Jason Stevenson to send Philip Scroggie through on goal who slotted the ball below the on rushing keeper.

The second half started with Raceview well in control and scored again on 55minutes with John McDowall playing Jason Stevenson through to score into the bottom corner giving Holywell keeper Keith Weise no chance,

Holywell never gave up and pulled a goal back through Ryan Sommers on 70 minutes but Raceview held on.

OTHER RESULTS

Rainey Cup, round two: Cullybackey Olympic 8 Woodside.

Ballymena Mortgages Division One: FC Moylena 2, Randalstown Sky Blues 1

Ballymena Mortgages Division Two: Cushendall 2, Braid United 4; Randalstown 2, St Comgalls 4.

Ballymena Mortgages Division Three: Atletico Antrim 1, Newpark Olympic 3; Templepatrick 1, Steadfast 2.

FIXTURES

Saturday, March 15 - Rainey Cup, round two (10.15am): Waveney Swifts v Clough Rangers (Waveney 2).

George McAuley Cup, round one: Seven Towers v Connor (Showgrounds 4).

Ballymena Mortgages Division One: Abbeyview v Ballykeel (Forum); Ahoghill Rovers v All Saints OB; Carniny Rangers v Randalstown Sky Blues (Wakehurst 1); Carnlough Swifts v Ahoghill Thistle; Michelin v Harryville Homers; FC Penarol v Shore Wanderers (Showgrounds 5).

Ballymena Mortgages Division Two: Cloughmills v Randalstown; North End Shamrocks v Braid United (Dunfane 1); Riverdale v FC Antrim (Wakehurst 2); Holywell v St Comgalls (Forum).

Ballymena Mortgages Division Three: Atletico Antrim v Galgorm Blues (Forum); Newpark Olympic v Woodside (Forum); Steadfast v Lisnafillan Swifts (Galgorm); Wakehurst Star v Templepatrick (Broughshane).