Holders through in Knockout Shield

League leaders Glebe Rangers Old Boys and Riverside both eased through with a comfortable wins over Finn McCool's and Coleraine Olympic respectively.

There was also a comfortable victory for Dunaghy Old Boys while Hazelbank won a goal fest at home to The Villagers.

In the league Macosquin Village won a 12-goal thriller while Hillview put seven past Ballyrashane without reply. And Mountview put some recent bad form behind them to record a solid victory away to West Bann Athletic.

Keep up with all the latest league news at www.htwl.leagurepublic.com

Bertha's FC 2 The Taverner's 4

In a repeat of last year's final Bertha's came into this well short on numbers and their resources were further stretched when Barry Greene limped off in the warm up.

The Shield holders The Taverners had to cope with the loss of inspirational captain Adam Shields who was sitting this one out through suspension.

Bertha's started the brightest putting the Taverner's under a lot of pressure, and got what they deserved when Willie Stewart stole in to calmly finish.

It got worse for the Taverner's 10 minutes later when Davy Caldwell rose at the back post to make it 2-0.

This was the wake up call they needed and they started to get a hold on the game. Captain Peter Baird began to control the midfield and managed to pull one back before half time.

In the second half the Taverner's were the only team in the game and were wasteful missing several chances including a penalty.

They managed to compose themselves enough to get the equaliser they deserved through another strike from the impressive Baird.

Taverner’s manger Marshall Craigchanged tactics to try and put the game to bed, it seemed to work as Terry Mullan crashed home a 20-yard effort.

Bertha's were reduced to 10 men moments later as David Hoey brought down Conrad Bradley before Baird grabbed his third of the game.

Man of the Match: Peter Baird (The Taverner’s).

Finn McCool’s 1 Glebe Rangers OB 6

A youthful Finn McCool's entertained the Old Boys in this knockout Shield encounter on Saturday morning.

Manager DJ McBride freshened things up handing Wilmont and Colin McBride starting roles in place of Steele who was carrying a slight knock and Gary McCracken who was suffering from his exertions of the previous week.

Finn's harried Glebe from the off, never giving their opponents time on the ball, and chances were at a premium early on. Indeed it was only from a slip in the home defence that the recalled McBride opened the scoring finishing well from just outside the box.

Ian Bellingham then increased the lead from the penalty spot after action man Lee Kyle had been impeded. However Finn’s immediately pulled one back with Gary Conway notching with a long range effort which deceived Allen.

Just before the break Glebe notched the decisive goal with McBride justifying his manager’s faith by scoring his second.

In the second half Glebe began to find more space and from a nice passing move Patterson finished from close range after Wilmont burst down the right flank. Finns continued to battle and forced a number of corners but they were unable to add to their tally.

It was then left to Steele to complete the scoring with a late brace of goals. The first, a neat finish from a miscued DJ McBride pass, whilst the second was typical Steele, a predatory strike from inside the 6-yard box.

This was a hard-earned victory for the Glebe against a Finns team who have improved considerably since the start of the season. Man of the Match: Mervyn Greer (Glebe rangers Old Boys).

Riverside Athletic 8 Coleraine Olympic 1

Having gone out of this competition on penalty kicks in the previous two seasons, and coming on the back of last week's defeat in the league toleaders Glebe Old Boys, the last thing the hosts needed was to be struggling to field a team.

Injury,work commitments and illnesssaw them forced into six changes. Most notable inclusion was that of Chris McCloskey, coming out of an eighteen-month retirement to play in central defence, and still a legend in his own mind.

Despite the changes they were off and running early on when the hard running Kernohan fired them ahead after good work by McGoldrick. Ricky Hanna soon made it two and shortly after Paul Coyles headed on from a corner kick and big Alex Workman made it three.

Then the game became the James McGoldrick show as the pacy winger/striker rattled home two before the half time interval.

Olympic made three changes at the break and pushed another player up front, which only gave McGoldrick more space to exploit, and exploit it he did with another quick fire double.

Leading 7-0 the game was well and truly overas the hosts ran down the clock,butMcGoldrick still had time to take his tally to five. With timejust about up Hanna claimed a consolation for the visitors.

Man of the Match: James McGoldrick (Riverside Athletic).

Brook Street 0 Dunaghy Old Boys 7

Dunaghy were right on top from the first whistle and after three missed chances they took the lead when Christie rounded the keeper to slot home.

They increased their lead moments later from the penalty spot with Paul Robinson the scorer. The Brook Street keeper made some fine saves before Christie grabbed his second, heading home at the near post after good work from Blair and Robinson.

Christie completed his hat-trick on the half hour mark with a low drive that found its way into the bottom corner of the net. Brook Street battled on and won themselves a penalty but Docherty in the Dunaghy goal made a great save to sent his team into half time four goals to the good.

Christie got his fourth when he controlled Fulton’s pass, dummied the defender and fired home.

Fulton fired home spectacularly from 25 yards before Gary Dunlop chipped home a superb solo effort.

Man of the Match: Ian Christie (Dunaghy Old Boys).

Ballyrashane FC 0 Hillview FC 7

The visitors started strongly but failed to take advantage of the ir possession.

Midway through the half Close slotted home from the spot after Hutchinson had been upended in the box.

They doubled their advantage soon after as Kirgan was seemingly sent sprawling by the Ballyrashane keeper. Play was waved on though and the striker reacted quickest to slot home.

Johnston went close to making it three before he set McClelland up for the third with a great through ball.

Kirgan grabbed his second of the game 10 minutes in to the second half finishing off Millar's cross.

With the game won, Hillview took the opportunity to make a few substitutions and it was two of these who were involved in the fifth goal. Sweeney combined with Hutchinson, who pulled the ball back the Frazer 20 yards out. The striker took one touch and blasted the ball home.

Ballyrashane were reduced to 10 men in the aftermath when their keeper was given a second yellow card after complaining to the referee that Hutchinson was offside in the build up to the goal.

Calvin headed home the sixth before McDowell wrapped up the scoring before the end.

Man of the Match:Jonathan Miller (Hillview).

West Bann Athletic 0 Mountview FC 1

Both teams have had a run of bad results in recent weeks so on paper this one could have went either way.

West Bann had the better of the chances in the first half although most of them were from long-range. The most notable incident in the first half was when Pancott's header was cleared from behind the line, but the well-placed referee judged the whole ball hadn't cross the line.

West Bann nearly took the lead just before half time when Holmes' shot hit the crossbar.

The second half was a fairly even contest, both teams playing well and creating half chances. But as the game was looking as if it would finish scoreless, Mountview took the lead five minutes from time. From a Willis corner, Tosh's shot was well controlled by Kerr who placed the ball beyond the reach of Tosh in the West Bann goal.

Man of the Match: Davy Tosh (Mountview).

Fixtures for Saturday 6 November

Brook Street v Dunaghy Old Boys Crescent 3

Coleraine Olympic v Hillview FC Rugby Avenue 1

FC Macosquin v Balnamore FC Rugby Avenue 2

Finn McCool's v Taverner’s FC Bushmills

Glebe Rangers Old Boys v Somerset Riada 2

Hazelbank v Mountview FC Rugby Avenue 3

Macosquin Village v Bertha's FC Ballysally 2

Riverside Athletic v West Bann Athletic Fulton Park

Villagers FC v Ballyrashane Castlerock