Sweet revenge for Homers with Boxing Day cup win

Homers came from a goal down to retain the Arkmedia Cup and in doing so inflict Carniny’s first defeat of the season at a windswept Showgrounds.

The game flowed from end to end in the opening exchanges in blustery conditions, but neither side created any real openings until Carniny took the lead on 16 minutes.

Chris Dowie capitalised on a poor kick from the Homers keeper Ryan Martin as he found the corner of the net from 18 yards out.

Homers hit back almost immediately when Ricky Forsythe rose highest at the back post to head home a Jason Stevenson free kick. Carniny were playing with a strong breeze at their backs in the first half but they couldn’t use it to their advantage with Chris Dowie and Maurice McDowell lacking their normal spark in front of goal.

The second half saw Homers take control of the game from the offset with Gary Baird and Ian Millar starting to control the midfield and the pace of Paul McNeill and Jason Stevenson a constant threat.

Homers took the lead on 58 minutes when another Jason Stevenson free kick was headed home at the back post by Ian Millar to give his side a deserved 2-1 lead.

Carniny then took the game to Homers but again they found the Homers defence in stubborn form with Ian Russell and Keith Wylie excelling in limiting Carniny to shots from distance.

Homers made it 3-1 with 20 minutes to go when Jason Stevenson, who was constant threat all day for Homers, picked the ball up on the left touchline stepped inside and curled a superb effort into the top corner of the net from all of 25 yards out leaving Alex McCosh in the Carniny goal with no chance.

Minutes after this Carniny looked to have given themselves a lifeline when Chris Dowie poked the ball home from close range but he was adjudged to be offside. Carniny kept going right to the end but failed to trouble Ryan Martin in the Homers goal as Homers held on to run out 3-1 winners and win the Arkmedia Cup.

After the final whistle Alan Kirk of Arkmedia presented the cup to winning Harryville Homers Captain Ian Millar and the celebrations begun.

Carniny Rangers: Alex McCosh, Mark Waddell, Alan Cochrane, Derek Reid, Alan Gaston, Stephen Greene, Ryan Bamber, James Gracey, Chris Dowie, Frazer Young, Maurice McDowell. Substitutes: Chris Clail, Roger Jones, Jonathan Doak, Jason Robinson, Ryan Balmer.

Harryville Homers: Ryan Martin, Jason McKay, Keith Wylie, Ian Russell, Ricky Forsythe, Gary Baird, Jason Stevenson, Alan Rainey, Paul McNeill, Ian Millar, Philip McBurney. Substitutes: Barry McDowell, Chris McDonald, Gary Bonnes, David Gibson.

Referee: Mr Robert Swann.Assistant Referees: Mr Finlay Sloan and Mr Roy Willigham,

LEAGUE MEETING

The BSML meeting was to take place on Tuesday 3rd January but the Co Antrim FA meet that night so the next BSML Meeting will be held on Monday 9th January at 8pm in Ballymena United Sports and Social Club.

FIXTURES

Fixtures for this Saturday, January 7, are:

Coca Cola Junior Cup 4th Round (1-30pm): Carniny Rangers v St Oliver Plunketts (Wakehurst 6); North End v St Patricks YM (Dunfane).

Tower Blinds BSML Division One (10.15am): All Saints OB vHarryville Homers (Showgrounds 5); Shore Wanderers v Clough Rangers; Glenarm Rovers v Westend Athletic; Ahoghill Rovers v FC Moylena (Ahoghill); Randalstown Sky Blues v Abbeyview; Michelin v Ballykeel.

Tower Blinds BSML Division Two: Connor FC v Randalstown (Connor); Cullybackey Olympic v Holywell (Tober Park); Waveney Swifts v Ahoghill Thistle (Waveney 2); FC Antrim v FC Penarol (Forum); St Comgalls v Cloughmills Thistle; Carnlough Swifts v Dunloy Athletic.

Tower Blinds BSML Division Three: Braid United v Newpark Athletic (Broughshane); Riverdale v Cushendall (Wakehurst 3); Lisnafillan Swifts v Galgorm (Showgrounds 4); Steadfast v Inver Athletic (Galgorm); Woodside v Wakehurst Star (Wakehurst 4); Athletic Antrim v Raceview Athletic; Templepatrick v Wakehurst Athletic (Forum).