Leaders Balnamore suffer title setback

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 in-form FC Macosquin.

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 in Coleraine 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.

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.

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.

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.

The home side took the lead in the 15th minute when 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.

The visitors were reduced to ten men when Mearns beat Farquhar with a nice bit of skill only to be scythed down by a combative midfielder who received his second yellow of the match.

This didn't seem to hinder Mountview because within five minutes secured a point with an equaliser

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.

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.

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 deadlock was soon broken when Ridgell’s header found the feet of Cochrane who coolly slotted home from six yards.

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.

Righ back David Hoey crashed home an absolute corker from 35 yards for Bertha’s third - his first goal in the Tiles League.

Man of the Match: David Hoey (Berthas FC)

Hazelbank FC 4, Ballyrashane Coronation 0

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.

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

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.

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.

Athletic went in front in the 15th minute with Karl Doherty showing great awareness to lob the keeper from 25 yards.

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 later Simon Creighton committed a clear foul inside the penalty area and Ian Parke hammered home 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.

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.

West Bann grabbed the winner fifteen minutes from time when Michael Olphert headed home unmarked from six yards out.

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 the net from 25 yards.

Aaron Laverty increased his team’s lead when Dee McNeill’s through ball bounced over Jones head and gave the winger the easy chance of heading home.

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 Villagers 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.

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.

Man of the Match: Stevie Campbell (Macosquin Village)

Fixtures

Wednesday, April 14

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

Saturday, April 17

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