Glebe and Riverside maintain perfect start

Glebe picked up a good three points away to Macosquin Village while Riverside took a comfortable victory away to Coleraine Olympic.

Hillview are still unbeaten after an excellent win over previously unbeaten Berthas FC while Hazelbank kept up the pressure at the top with a tough win against Brook Street.

Elsewhere, Ballyrashane took the spoils with an excellent win away in Balnamore as Finns McCools enjoyed victory at home to Somerset.

Mountview and West Bann Athletic both picked up their first wins of the season by beating The Taverners and The Villagers respectively. The remaining game was a real cracker with Dunaghy Old Boys incredibly coming from 5-1 down to beat FC Macosquin 7-5.

Macosquin Village's Darren Stewart leads the chase for the N&N Trophies golden boot with two goals at the weekend takin his tally to 10 for the season, three ahead of Glebe pairing Sticky Steele and Chris Holmes.

As always, keep up to date with the action at www.htwl.leaguerepublic.com

Macosquin Village 2

Glebe Rangers Old Boys 4

With just three points separating the sides this was an eagerly anticipated battle between two teams who like to play attacking football.

And that's how it turned out, with the game starting at a cracking pace.

Macosquin were on the offensive from the kick-off and Glebe were thankful to Allen for a fine point-blank save.

The men from the Village had a couple of other opportunities to open the scoring during the half but failed to convert.

Glebe came into the game as the half progressed and had numerous chances to open the scoring but found keeper John Doey in fine form and when he was beaten the woodwork rescued Macosquin.

The only surprise was that half-time was reached with the game still scoreless.

However that was not to be the case in the second half with top-scorer Stewart coolly giving Macosquin the lead after a Glebe attack broke down in the opposition penalty area.

And, shortly after, the same player increased the lead with a deflected shot beating Allen after Glebe failed to clear a corner.

Glebe responded well to this double setback. Neat interplay between Patterson and McCurdy saw the latter set up Holmes to score for the fourth game in succession and they drew level when Steele scored from the spot after he had been impeded by Doey.

Glebe now had their tails up and Steel put them ahead with a poacher's finish from a long clearance by Allen.

However they suffered a setback when Bellingham was forced off with a nasty gash, which later required stitches. Despite having to reshuffle defensively Glebe continued to press and, when Steele was again upended by Doey, he got up and completed his hat trick from the spot to give Glebe a deserved victory.

However this young Macosquin side will be a match for most teams this season. Man of the Match: James Steele (Glebe Rangers Old Boys)

Coleraine Olympic 0

Riverside Athletic 6

Three goals in each half secured the points for the visitors in what was a relatively comfortable game for them.

The match began with Doherty in the home goal looking like he would not be beaten as he frustrated Riverside on several occasions as they pushed for an early opening. McGoldrick eventually got the better of Doherty on ten minutes when he opened his account for the season with a top corner special and when Smylie fired home from McLean's cut back on the half hour the visitors were well in command.

Eight minutes before the interval McLean grabbed a well deserved goal of his own to make the half time team talk more relaxed. The visitors domination continued after the interval but Olympic held out until the midway point before a foul on Hanna in the penalty box saw Smylie claim his second.

With the game all but over both teams started to make changes with Olympic replacing their front men and Riverside responding likewise.

But once again it was the visitors who came up with the goals as McGoldrick claimed his second and Smylie completing his hat trick. Man of the Match: Eamon McMahon (Riverside Athletic)

Hillview FC 3 Berthas FC 0

On paper this looked like a game that could have went either way with both teams in the top five positions in the table.

Berthas were missing their first choice full backs along with star man Andy Cochrane while Hillview were able to include two new signings in their team.

Hillview dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead after about 10 minutes of play when Black scrambled home after his initial header had hit the bar.

Berthas had two great chances to level when first Chris Patterson missed a sitter from six yards while Davy Graham hit the side netting when well placed.

Hillview made them pay for these misses with two goals in quick succession through the excellent Timmy Close.

His first came when he capitalised on a slip in the Berthas defence to tap home and his second came when he picked the ball up from just inside the attacking half before running onto his own deflected pass to slide the ball past McClarty.

Berthas were more urgent in the second half without really making a clear cut chance until the returning Willie Stewart teed up McAllister but McVey made a smart save low to his left.

Davy Caldwell almost got his team a goal back but he was inches away from getting his head to Ridgell's cross with the goal at his mercy.

Berthas were definitely enjoying more possession but Hillview proved a tough nut to crack at the back and as Berthas attacked they nearly hit them on the break but Stevenson watched as his shot hit the cross bar. Hillview seen the remaining minutes out to pick up a furtherly deserved three points. Man of the Match: Timmy Close (Hillview)

Hazelbank 4 Brook Street 2

A scrappy start saw both teams struggle to get any form.

Hazelbank had the best of half chances without testing the visiting keeper. Nigel Sheppard blazed over while Colin McClarty also put one over from close range after good a passing move.

Brook Street opened the scoring on 20 minutes, a cross come shot some how managed to go in after big Stevie Crawford misjudged the flight of the ball, Dinsmore didn't care as he got the goal.

Hazelbank responded well to this, good work from Diver sending in a low cross, Caldwell got in front of McClarty and turned it into his own net.

Sheppard doubled the lead on 30 minutes, James Diver again involved whipping in a great cross with Sheppy coming in at the far post to glance the header past McKissock.

Dave McClean should have made it three breaking clear one on one with just McKissock to beat, trying to chip the keeper but only managing to put it straight at him.

Dave made up for the miss on 35 minutes, turning well in the box and drilling in from six yards. Brook Street responded well to this and cut the gap to one goal on 37 minutes, a defensive mix up by Kelly allowed McGrotty to score putting it past Crawford, 3-2 at the beak. Hazelbank dominated the second half, but all half chances went begging with Dave McClean and Sheppard all missing good chances.

The introduction of Ciaran Wilson gave Hazelbank some extra pace. He was involved straight away getting Hazelbank get the goal their play deserved when his low shot, which should have been easy for McKissock, slipped between his grasp and into the net. A hard fought match by both teams. Man of the Match: Marty McCrory (Hazelbank)

Balnamore 2

Ballyrashane FC 3

Both teams started well and held tight but Ballyrashane fought hard and found the back of the net from a well-finished one on one from Gareth McKnight to put Ballyrashane one up.

Balnamore fought hard but good defending once again from McIntyre who was making his debut for Ballyrashane denied Balnamore a goal.

Daniel Simpson then made it two for Ballyrashane with a well taken strike in which was his first of the season.

Balnamore pushed hard once again but were denied further by Doherty in nets who made his return from injury.

Approaching half time Ballyrashane's Gareth McKnight then made it 3-0 with a well placed shot but alot of credit must go to Kane, Watt and Collins on this occasion who helped make the goal.

The second half seen Balnamore push hard and they then found the net from good play to make it 1-3.

Fair play to Balnamore they pushed hard and had Ballyrashane on the back foot but praise must go to the back four in the Ballyrashane defence for holding tight.

Balnamore then got their second of the game. But Ballyrashane also fought back and came close time after time. Ballyrashane keeper Doherty denied Balnamore of equalising with a brilliant save. Finally after a long second half the referee then blew for full time. 2-3 Ballyrashane and a well deserved three points. Man of the Match: Daniel Simpson (Ballyrashane)

The Taverners 0 Mountview 6

Before the match Mountview were looking to kick start their season after going the first three games without a win and were struggling to score goals.

The Taverners had a good win the previous week so they would have been confident on getting another this week. Mountview welcomed back McVicker and Cooke into their defence for the first time this season.

The Taverners kicked the match off and they knocked the ball around well having the better possession in the opening minutes. But it was Mountview who opened the scoring on eight minutes when the ball was played from left to right finding Smyth with some space just inside the 18-yard box to curl his shot low beyond the reach of Kinnard in the Taverners goal.

On 12 minutes Mountview doubled their score, a deep cross from the right this time fell nicely for Kerr at the back post, he volleyed the ball through the Taverners defenders and into the back of the net.

On twenty minutes the referee awarded the Taverners a penalty after Irwin was adjudged to have handled the ball with his shoulder! The Taverners captain stepped up for the spot kick, but McLaughlin saved well, the shot hit low to his right. The Taverners were starting to get into the game more and had a few chances but their shots never really troubled the Mountview goal.

Just before half time Mountview were awarded a penalty after Harte was brought down just inside the box. Smyth made no mistake with his penalty sending the keeper the wrong way.

The start of the second have saw a rejuvenated Taverners who mounted attack after attack. But Mountview's defence were up to the task to clear any danger.

On the hour the Taverners came closest to scoring when Baird's free kick pulled a great save from McLaughlin, just getting enough on the ball to tip it over the bar.

Mountview scored their fourth on 65 minutes after Wills' inch perfect cross was headed into the goal by Archibald.

The fifth came when Wills got in between the Taverners defence and keeper to coolly lob the ball over the keeper.

With 10 minutes remaining Mountview scored the sixth when the Taverners failed to clear a corner and Mark Crawford pounced just inside the six yard box to slip the ball past three defenders on the line. Man of the Match: Billy McVicker (Mountview)

The Villagers 0 West Bann Athletic 3

Athletic went into this game looking too end a run off bad form.

But it was the Villagers who started brighter of the two teams with some early chances but nothing to really trouble the West Bann Athletic keeper.

The first goal came on the 25th minute when Alun-Lee McCallion sprinted towards the Villagers goal and the left back took a shot from 25 yards out and after a deflection the ball ended up in the bottom corner.

After the goal West Bann Athletic upped their tempo and should have had a second but Olphert missed his chance.

This was a lifeline for Villagers as after this they pressed at Athletic with a couple of good chances of their own but the West Bann Athletic defence stood strong.

West Bann Athletic came out all guns flying and within a minute made it two, when Michael Olphert raced clear after a defensive mistake and rounded the goalkeeper and smashed the ball into the net, 2-0 Athletic.

And almost straight away it was three.

Shirlow lofted a long free kick into the box, Martin Pancott rose highest to meet with the ball and it flew into the top corner. The rest of the game was played out well with both teams having chances and none of them being able to take their chances. As the West Bann Athletic stood strong in defence and were able to see out the game comfortable. Man of the Match: Chris Shirlow (West Bann Athletic)

Finn McCools 4 Somerset 1

Finns started the better having couple good chances, which came to nothing.

Somerset came into game but it was Finns who took the lead when the ball was crossed from the left for Watton to shoot home.

Finns took control just before half time when S Parke's inch perfect cross gave Johny Parke a tap in.

Somerset started the better in the second half their pressure finally paid off when they scored from a corner.

Both teams were pressing when the Finns keeper seemed to collide with Drake with a one on one.

Finns kept pressing and got the goal they needed with Ian Parke rattling a first time shot into the back of the net from 20 yards out. Somerset were reduced to 10 men but still kept going. Finns finished them off with another goal from Watton near the end. Man of the Match: Johny Watton (Finn McCools)

FC Macosquin 5

Dunaghy Old Boys 7

A goal-fest took place at Rugby Avenue between Dunaghy and FC Macosquin.

Dunaghy started off well and took the lead after 10 minutes through Ian Christie but soon found themselves on level terms when a long ball into their box was pounched on by the FC striker to draw the game level.

FC then went on the attack scoring another three goals to give them a three goal lead at half time.

The game looked dead and buried after five minutes of the second half when FC scrambled home their fifth but Dunaghy had other ideas.

Dunaghy made four subs and this helped as they pulled on back immediately through Christie.

Mark Blair then pulled another one back when he scored from a rebound.

The comeback was definitely on when Christie got his hat trick drilling home a free kick.

FC were rattled and Arnie Blair made it five apiece when his low shot rebounded in off the post.

Dunaghy looked the only winners at this stage and their comeback was complete when Christie smashed some a cracker from all of 25 yards. Mark Blair rounded off this remarkable comeback with a great finish into the top corner of the net after a good move involving Small and Christie. Man of the Match: Ian Christie (Dunaghy Old Boys)

FIXTURES

Fixtures for Saturday 18 September

Ballyrashane FC v FC Macosquin Ballysally 2

Bertha's F.C v Taverners F.C Castlerock

Brook Street v Villagers F.C Crescent 3

Dunaghy Old Boy's v Finn McCool's Dunaghy

Glebe Rangers Old Boys v Hazelbank Riada 2

Mountview F.C v Balnamore F.C Rugby Avenue 3

Riverside Athletic v Macosquin Village Fulton Park

Somerset v Coleraine Olympic Rugby Avenue 2

West Bann Athletic v Hillview F.C Rugby Avenue 1