Thistle among early season pacesetters in SML

Champions Harryville Homers continued their unbeaten start by thrashing neighbours Ballykeel 5-0, but another of the would-be title challengers, All Saints Old Boys, slipped up when they were held to a draw by Shore Wanderers.

DIVISION ONE

Ahoghill Thistle 2, Michelin 1: Thistle started the game well but couldn’t break down a resolute Michelin defence until David Tennant was brought down by David Fusco which resulted in the Michelin defender receiving his second yellow card.

With the extra man Thistle pressed home their advantage and after some good work by David Drummond and George Courtney down the left, David Tennant was on hand to score the opener.

Soon after, a hand ball inside the area by Jordan Graham allowed Matthew Boyd to step up and make it 2-0 from the penalty spot. This remained the score until half time.

Michelin pulled a goal back in the second half through a good strike from Tom Agnew from edge of the penalty area.

Ballykeel 0 Harryville Homers 5: Homers took an early lead against newly promoted Ballykeel when midfielder Darren Campbell converted from the spot after Barry McDowell was adjudged to have handled in the box.

The second followed soon after when Gary Bonnes sprung the home sides offside trap to set up the speedy Alan Rainey to tap in from six yards.

The visitors took a three goal lead into the half time break as Darren Campbell added to their tally with another well worked goal with Jasin Magill claiming the assist.

In the second half, the hard working Jasin Magill deservedly got on the score sheet rounding Ballykeel keeper Steven Watson to slot home.

Homers captain Gary Bonnes continued his rich vein of form in front of goal, scoring from close range after good work from Paul McNeill out on the right. All Saints OB 1, Shore Wanderers 1: Saints again failed to collect all three points as they were held to a draw against a dogged Shore side.

Saints took the lead after 12 minutes when Brian Watt played a clever ball inside to Gavin Burnside whose through ball found an onside Mark Kelly who took his time and placed the ball into the corner of the net.

Saints failed to build on this good start and four minutes before the break Shore drew level when Sean Hale played a one two with Ryan McNicholl which left him clear and he squared to Dermott McWilliams to fire into the empty net and send the sides in level at the break.

Saints should have got the winner when Ryan Wilkinson got to the bye line on the right and pulled the ball across the box for Gavin Burnside but he fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

O’KANE CUP, ROUND ONE

Cullybackey Olympic 4, Newpark Olympic 0: There were no real shocks in the Cup with the best performance of the night coming from Cullybackey Olympic.

After 20 minutes Jason Peacock scored the first goal slotting home from close range.

Olympic’s second goal came from some nice passing up the left side and when Jordan Millar slipped Stuart Agnew in he drilled a shot low and hard into the right-hand corner.

Shortly after, Justin Bell rounded the keeper send Olympic in with a comfortable half time lead.

In the second half a good run from Gary Glass resulted in him being brought down for a penalty which let in Stuart Agnew to score from the spot for his second of the game.

DIVISION TWO

With all teams free on Saturday because of Derry Day the main action in Division Two took place on Wednesday night with a couple of shocks.

North End Shamrocks beat favorites for the title FC Antrim with the odd goal in five while Cloughmills moved to the top of Division Two along with North End Shamrocks and Seven Towers with a 2-1 win over last years Division Three Champions Raceview.

Connor, making their return to Division Two after winning the Play Off, demolished Randalstown 8-0 which was the performance of the night,

OTHER RESULTS

County Antrim Post O’Kane Cup, round one: Randalstown Sky Blues 3, North End Shamrocks 1; Shore Wanderers 4, Cloughmills 2; Lisnafillan Swifts 1, Carniny Rangers 3; Atletico Antrim 2, FC Antrim 3 Braid United 0, All Saints OB 7.

BSML Division One: Carniny Rangers 7, Abbeyview 1; Clough Rangers 3, FC Penarol 3; FC Moylena 3, Ahoghill Rovers 1; Randalstown Sky Blues 7, Carnlough Swifts 2.

BSML Division Two: Riverdale 0, Seven Towers 1; St Comgalls 3, Cushendall 0; Braid United 3, Waveney Swifts 2.

BSML Division Three: Newpark Olympic 3, Templepatrick 0; Lisnafillan Swifts 1, Steadfast 1; Glenravel 5, Wakehurst Star 0; Galgorm Blues 4, Atletico Antrim 1; Woodside 1, Cullybackey Olympic 5.

FIXTURES

Tuesday 13th August - Division One (7pm): Abbeyview v Randalstown Sky Blues (Forum); Ahoghill Rovers v Harryville Homers (Ahoghill); Carnlough Swifts v All Saints OB; FC Moylena v Ahoghill Thistle (Forum); Michelin v Carniny Rangers; FC Penarol v Ballykeel (Showgrounds 5); Shore Wanderers v Clough Rangers (Forum).

Saturday 17th August County Antrim Post O’Kane Cup, round two (10.15am): Holywell v FC Antrim (Forum); Seven Towers v Michelin (Showgrounds 4); Clough Rangers v Abbeyview (Clough); All Saints OB v FC Moylena (Showgrounds 5); Ballykeel v FC Penarol (Ballykeel); Randalstown Sky Blues v Riverdale; Galgorm Blues v Ahoghill Thistle (Galgorm); Templepatrick v Woodside (Forum); Carnlough Swifts v Raceview; Waveney Swifts v Shore Wanderers (Waveney 2); Harryville Homers v Carniny Rangers (Wakehurst 3); Cullybackey Olympic v Randalstown (Tober Park); Ahoghill Rovers v Connor FC; St Comgalls v Wakehurst Star.

BSML Division Two: Braid United v Cushendall (Broughshane).

BSML Division Three: FC Bayern Money v Glenravel; Newpark Olympic v Steadfast (Forum).

Monday 19th August - County Antrim Post O’Kane Cup 1st Round (6.45pm): Steadfast v Cushendall (Galgorm.

BSML Division Two: Cloughmills v Connor; FC Antrim v Holywell (Forum); Raceview v Braid United (Broughshane); Randalstown v Riverdale; Seven Towers v North End Shamrocks (Showgrounds 4); Waveney Swifts v St. Comgalls (Waveney 2).