Gr-eight Taverners blitz Olympic

Leaders Balnamore suffered a setback in their quest as they went down to Riverside Athletic, a result that put Riverside right back into title contention.

Mountview Athletic also dropped points in a surprise draw against inform FC Macosquin.

Berthas FC took the points against Somerset while Hazelbank completed a routine win against Ballyrashane Coronation.

The Taverners and Dunaghy Old Boys got back to winning ways with wins over Coleraine Olympic and Hillview respectfully. West Bann Athletic won a tight encounter with Finn McCools while Macosquin Village took away the bragging rights in their derby clash with The Villagers.

This week sees the start of the midweek fixtures in the league which will start a hectic schedule for some over the next three to four weeks.

Clash of the evening will probably be at Rugby Avenue where Mountview entertain Berthas FC in what will be billed as a six pointer for both teams. Other title contenders Hazelbank and Riverside Athletic have important contests against Somerset and Dunaghy Old Boys respectively.

The delegates of the Hutchinson Tiles League wish to pass on their best wishes to Ballyrashane Coronation player Hawk Barnes who suffered a broken leg at the weekend. We all wish Hawk a speedy recovery.

Balnamore 0

Riverside Athletic 2

The visitors began the game at a high tempo which was just as well as the in form Balnamore came at them right from the off, although the defensive quartet of Blair, Dunlop, Shields and Hanna worked hard to keep their attackers away from Archibald's goal.

As both teams settled it was the Riverside who produced the better football, certainly a lot better than they have in recent games, and with the impressive Leighton and Smylie working hard in midfield, the game started to turn in their favour.

Midway through the half a foul on McGoldrick resulted in a free kick, which Leighton took with the ball finding its way past Elder in the Balnamore goal via a bad bounce.

The second half was more or less the same with both teams working hard to stop each other getting too much of the ball. As time started to run out for Balnamore, what can only be described as a moment of madness saw them reduced to ten men when Corr received his marching orders from the referee for foul and abusive language, and to make matters worse he had only been on the pitch for about six minutes.

Riverside made it 2 - 0 five minutes from time when Duffy, on for the injured Thompson, played in McGoldrick for an stunning finish and more or less wrap up the points. Credit to Balnamore though, who kept playing some lovely passing football right to the end despite being a man down. Man of the Match: Gareth Leighton (Riverside Athletic)

FC Macosquin 1

Mountview FC 1

Mountview, who are challenging for the title, started strong favourites in this encounter albeit Macosquin being on a four match winning streak.

Play commenced in near perfect conditions with both teams battling hard to crasp the initiative. And it wasn't long before the first clear-cut chance arrived.

Nice football through midfield caught the Macosquin defence square and a good pass from Stanfield put Caldwell clear one on one with the keeper, but Briggs made a fantastic stop down low to his right to keep the status quo.

Then on 25 minutes, after a couple of very tight offside calls, it was Macosquin's turn to beat the trap and get the one-on-one.

A perfectly weighted through ball from Watson put the on form Gibson in, who coolly slide the ball past McClarty and into the Mountview goal, 1-0 Macosquin.

With this, Mountview upped the ante but were unable to breakdown a very stubborn F.C. defence, marshaled expertly by the veteran Andy Moffett and his three young sidekicks.

Macosquin repelled numerous attacks, with crosses and corners raining in whilst always looking dangerous on the counter.

Gibson, whose pace was causing problems, had a good penalty shout turned down just before the half ended and Briggs had a couple stops to make.

The second half began with Mountview determined to turn the game around and sustain their league challenge, but Macosquin equally resolved to hold on to the lead and claim this impressive scalp.

And with this, a feisty edge developed in the match, the challenges begun to fly in and a couple of cards were brandished.

Mountview continued to keep most of the ball possession and pen Macosquin back into their own half without troubling Briggs too often and F.C. always looking dangerous on the counter with McGuinness, Gibson and McGahon all getting chances to take on the last man.

Not long after, the impressive Mearns beat Farquhar with a nice bit of skill only to be scythed down by the combative midfielder who received his second yellow of the match to reduce Mountview to ten men.

This didn't seem to hinder Mountview because within five minutes they were level.

After an excellent run directly at the heart of the Macosquin defence by Reid, Smyth was on hand at the back post to bend the ball into the net, 1-1.

Macosquin, trying to regain the lead, had Gibson brought down right on the edge of the box by McClarty the Mountview keeper, who as last man, received a yellow card but the chance was wasted. Briggs, a strong contender for man of match, made another fantastic stop from a long range effort destined for the top corner and Mountview had a shout for a goal turned down after the big keeper was fouled and fumbled the ball over his own line.

But it would have been a travesty had Macosquin taken nothing from this pulsating match, which was an excellent advert for the Hutchinson Tiles League. Man of the Match: Jason Gibson (FC Macosquin)

Berthas FC 3

Somerset 0

A beautiful Saturday morning out in the 'Rock saw high flying Berthas take on what they thought was to be a tough Somerset side but the away side could only muster nine players.

Referee Jimmy Alexander gave Somerset plenty of time to find a starting 11 but had no choice but to start the game with the away side only having nine.

Somerset set up with a 4-3-1 formation, Gary Miller playing the lone ranger.

Berthas, missing a few regulars including the injured Drake who broke his ankle during the week, started a bit sluggish but soon found their feet.

The two wingers for Berthas causing problems for the Somerset back four, Ridgell with a few telling crosses and Graham on the other side going by players for fun.

The deadlock was soon broken, great work from Greene, Graham and eventually Gilchrist who crossed to the back post were Ridgell's header found he feet of Cochrane who coolly slotted home from six yards.

Somerset found some respite through Fraser and Miller linking up well but sadly the later had no support and was soon shackled by Campbell and Patterson.

Berthas got their second through the hard working Rainey who unleashed an unstoppable drive from 20 yards, the 'keeper had no chance.

It was all Berthas with Cochrane, Graham and Greene all having good chances to add to Somerset's misery but the away 'keeper was in fine form and kept the score line respectable and his team mates' morale up.

Elder replaced the injured Bond and thought he had found the net but once again the away keeper pounced at his feet to snuff out the chance. Some Berthas players, realising that Somerset were struggling, began to take pot shots, prompting the game to be delayed due to lack of footballs.

The game finished with a flusher, Berthas looking to increase their goals for tally and it was an unlikely source that got their third goal. David Hoey, who had a very productive game at right back, scored an absolute corker from all of 35 yards.

Greene laid it off for the big man who thumped it with everything and it sailed into the top corner, what a way to open your account in the Hutchinson Tiles League, his first ever goal!

The game began to pitter out as both teams looked like they would rather be supping a cold one in the sun rather than slogging it on the pitch! A poor game from the off due to the unevenness of the sides but another three points for title chasing Berthas who meet Mountview in midweek, sure to be a very competitive encounter. Man of the Match: David Hoey (Berthas FC)

Hazelbank FC 4

Ballyrashane Coronation 0

Having already beat Ballyrashane earlier in the season with ease and a feast of goals, this game failed to ignite for the Hazelbank front players.

With only five minutes gone Hazelbank took the lead, Deeny turning into his own net trying to cut out Ciaran Wilson's cross with Dave McClean ready to tap in, the defenders outstretched leg making the contact and pushing it past Doherty.

Colin McClarty made it two on 11 minutes,controlling well in the box and half volleying through a crowed goal mount area.

The first half was temporarily stopped for what turned out to be serious injury to Barnes, the half ended with both set of players failing to get into any stride, 2-0 at the break.

The second half started well for Hazelbank forcing a serious of corners, Gavin Kelly getting on the score sheet on 50 minutes poking home the loose ball from six yards.

Colin McClarty made it four on 78 minutes.

Ballyrashane to their credit never gave up the fight with a much improved performance than previous meeting.

Their best chance fell near the end but for the post coming to Hazelbank rescue this time.

Hazelbank should have had a lot more goals but the Ballyrashane keeper was in good form for most of the game and for him and the frame of the goal being struck five times the score line would have been a lot different.

The payers of Hazelbank would like to wish Barnes a speedy recovery from his injury. Man of the Match: Gavin Kelly (Hazelbank)

Hillview FC 1

Dunaghy Old Boys 4

Dunaghy got back to winning ways with this victory away to Hillview FC.

The game was more or less over after 25 minutes as Arnie Blair scored a hat-trick, all penalties after some terrible challenges by the Hillview defence. Ryan Frazer pulled one back for Hillview just before half time. Dunaghy player David Murray scored after 70 minutes to put the game beyond the reach of the home team.

Man of the Match: Arnie Blair (Dunaghy Old Boys)

The Taverners 8

Coleraine Olympic 1

The home team got back to winning ways at the weekend with a comfortable victory over Coleraine Olympic. They raced into a six-goal lead at half time with goals from Paul Robinson, a brace for Lee Carton and a hat trick for Andrei Graur. The second half petered out as a contest and as a result lacked any fluidity. Further strikes from Graur and one from Ryan Hartin extended The Taverners lead while Danny Kerr got Olympics consolation goal. Man of the Match: Andrei Graur (The Taverners)

West Bann Athletic 3

Finn McCools 2

West Bann Athletic won this hard fought contest at Rugby Avenue on Saturday extending their winning run to six.

Both sides started brightly with both creating early chances.

But on the 15th minute Athletic managed to take their main chance, With Karl Doherty showing great awareness to lob the keeper from 25 yards out good start for Athletic.

Although almost straight after it Athletic were pegged back.

A long ball over the top which the West Bann defence let bounce and Karl Rushe came in behind to put Finns level after 20 minutes.

Five minutes on the 25th minute Simon Creighton committed a clear foul inside the penalty area and Ian Parke was able to hammer the ball in from the spot.

Just before half time Athletic got the goal they had been searching for when Karl Doherty slipped Michael Olphert through he was able to blast the ball by Fins keeper right on half time. The second half started at a slower pace for the first with both teams creating chances and both teams coming really close to the goal to take the lead.

75th minute and Athletic got a free kick over on the right hand side which was curled in and Michael Olphert had an unmarked header from six yards out and put it in the bottom corner.

Finns had a couple of late chance but James Tosh in the Athletic net was not to beaten and making a save at the end one handed because an injury during the game. Man of the Match: Chris Shirlow (West Bann Athletic)

Macosquin Village 5

The Villagers 2

Macosquin dominated right from the off and went one up when Robert (Wee Huey) Todd cracked the ball into the top corner of Jones net from 25 yards, giving the keeper no chance.

Aaron Laverty increased his teams lead when Dee McNeill's through ball bounced over Jones head and gave the winger the easy chance of heading into the net.

Macosquin continued to press but it was the away team who scored next when a mistake at the back allowed Robert Bradley to slot home. The second half started pretty much as the first with Macosquin looking the most likely to score and they did so not long in when Darren Stewart tapped home after Jones had saved Laverty's initial shot.

The Villagers needed to go something and pulled another goal back when Dunn scored midway through the half. Any thoughts they had of a come back were ended when Stevie Campbell scored a fine solo effort, as he evaded some hard tackles to score a real gem of a finish.

The wee winger was on blistering form all game and he helped his team gain a penalty when his crossed caused all sorts of problems in the Villagers box, Jones eventually wrestling Laverty to the ground for the penalty. Gavin Johnson sending Jones the wrong way from the spot. Macosquin seen the game out comfortably to pick up the points. Man of the Match: Stevie Campbell (Macosquin Village)

Fixtures for Wednesday 14 April

Brook Street v Villagers F.C Crescent 3

Coleraine Olympic v Hillview F.C Rugby Avenue 1

Finn McCool's v Balnamore F.C Bushmills

Mountview F.C v Bertha's F.C Rugby Avenue 3

Riverside Athletic v Dunaghy Old Boy's Fulton Park

Somerset v Hazelbank Ballysally 2

Taverners F.C v West Bann Athletic Riada 2

Fixtures for Saturday 17 April

Balnamore F.C v Somerset Fulton Park

Bertha's F.C v Brook Street Castlerock

Dunaghy Old Boy's v Ballyrashane Coronation F.C Dunaghy

Hazelbank v Coleraine Olympic Rugby Avenue 3

Hillview F.C v Villagers F.C Crescent 3

Macosquin Village v Riverside Athletic Ballysally 2

Taverners F.C v Finn McCool's Riada 2

West Bann Athletic v Mountview F.C Rubgy Avenue 1

N&N Trophies Sponsored Golden Boot

Gary Miller Somerset 36

Andrei Graur Taverners 29

Colin McClarty Hazelbank 28

Andrew Cochrane Bertha's F.C 27

Colin McFarlane Villagers F.C 22

Gareth Leighton Riverside Athletic 22