SKY BLUES INTO LAST EIGHT

The Neillsbrook side beat Greencastle Rovers 3-1 on Saturday to set up a potential last eight clash with fellow SML side Harryville Homers, who will make a second attempt to play their last 16 clash at Killough this Saturday after the weather put paid to Saturday’s scheduled tie.

Carniny Rangers had the disappointment of travelling to Newtownards only for the game to be called of 15 minutes before the game by the referee. They will have to travel again on 11th February to play Greenwell Star.

But it was the end of the roadi n the Junior Shield for Shore Wanderers, who travelled to Castlewellan but went down 3-1.

PADDY POWER JUNIOR SHIELD

Randalstown Sky Blues 3, Greencastle Rovers 1: After failing to take their chances last week against Ballykeel Sky Blues would not have fancied their chance in the last 16 of the Junior Shield but three goals on the first half was enough to see them through although they had to defend for their lives in the second half.

Within the first minute a through ball fell to Randal Reid 20 yards out and he found the net with a sublime shot to give the Sky Blues a shock lead.

The visitors recovered from this and hit back with an equaliser 15 minutes later.

Scott Bruce put Sky Blues ahead when he sent a long ball from the half way line up field which somehow deceived the Greencastle keeper and defence to finish in the net.

Both teams created and wasted chances until just before half time when Sky Blues extended their lead with a super back post header by Darren Semple after a cross into the box from Randal Reid.

In the second half the Sky Blues spent must of their time in their own half as Greencastle pushed forward to try and score but a rock solid defence of Scott Bruce, Jason Millar and Andy Russell kept them at bay and when Rovers did get past the defence three great saves by Sky Blues keeper mark McGinty prevented the visitors scoring and ensured Sky Blues progressed to the last eight.

BSML DIVISION ONE

All Saints OB 1, Westend Athletic 0: An Aidan O’Kane goal in the second half saw Saints get back to winning ways and stretch their lead at the top to 10 points but they were made fight all the way for the victory against a good Westend side who with some luck could have maybe won this match..

Saints should have taken the lead inside the opening minute when Brian Watt broke down the left and whipped in an inch perfect cross onto the head of Gavin Burnside but he headed wide when well placed.

Saints then had two good chances before the break to take the lead first when Stephen Tully headed over and then a Donald Crawford shot was deflected into the hands of Stevie Greer in the Westend goal.

On the hour mark Saints struck the all important goal when Brian Watt whipped over a superb free kick which was headed home at the near post by Aidan O’Kane.

After this goal Westend came more into the game and hit the Saints crossbar on two occasions the first through Mark Watson and then later on through Trevor Greer.

Westend had one last chance to salvage a point late on but Saints keeper Brian Martin tipped an Evan Forsythe shot round the post as his side hung on for all three points.

Other results: Abbeyview 3, FC Moylena 2; Glenarm Rovers 4, Ahoghill Rovers 4.

BSML DIVISION TWO

The big movers in Division Two were Dunloy Athletic who hammered Waveney Swifts 6-3 to move into the top four while this result sees Waveney Swifts fall into the relegation places.

The only other two games played finished all square with Cloughmills Thistle being held at home 2-2 by the improving FC Antrim while in the other match Holywell drew 0-0 with bottom side St Comgalls.

BSML DIVISION THREE

Newpark Olympic 1, Cushendall 1: A second half goal by Tom Quinn snatched League Leaders Cushendall an equaliser when they looked like suffering their first League defeat of the season.

The home team took control of this match early on and opened the scoring midway through the half when Robert Crawford sent over a corner kick which Ian Brown knocked down to the unmarked Philip Smith who had the simple task of tapping the ball into the net.

Cushendall came back at Olympic at the start of the second half but they wasted two great chances of an equaliser but eventually snatched a the equaliser 15 minutes from time.

Brian Quinn played a great through ball for his brother Tom Quinn to race through and fire the ball past the Newpark keeper David Thompson.

However, it turned out to be a point gained for Cushendall as main rivals Atletico Antrim and Templepatrick were both beaten.

Other results: Inver Athletic 3, Atletico Antrim 2; Riverdale 2, Templepatrick 1; Lisnafillan Swifts 0, Steadfast 2.

FIXTURES

Saturday, February 4 - Coca Cola Junior Cup, round five (1.30pm): Bessbrook United v Carniny Rangers.

Paddy Power Junior Shield, round five (1.30pm): Killough v Harryville Homers.

Rainey Cup, round one (10.15am): Inver Athletic v FC Moylena; Waveney Swifts v FC Penarol (Waveney 2); Abbeyview v Ballykeel (Forum).

Ace Cup, round one: Michelin v All Saints OB; Ahoghill Rovers v Westend Athletic (Ahoghill).

BSML Division One: Glenarm Rovers v Shore Wanderers.

BSML Division Two: Holywell v Ahoghill Thistle (Forum); Carnlough Swifts v St Comgalls; Connor FC v FC Antrim (Connor); Cullybackey Olympic v Dunloy Athletic (Tober Park); Seven Towers v Cloughmills Thistle (Showgrounds 4); North End v Randalstown.

Sammy Moore Cup, first round, first leg: Lisnafillan Swifts v Newpark Olympic (Showgrounds 5).

BSML Division Three: Raceview Athletic v Cushendall (Wakehurst 3); Woodside v Wakehurst Star (Wakehurst 4); Braid United v Atletico Antrim (Broughshane); Wakehurst Athletic v Steadfast (Wakehurst 6); Galgorm FC v Templepatrick (Galgorm).