Taverners in safe hands with Marshall

In the prelims there was a hard fought victory for league leaders Glebe Rangers Old Boys away to Hillview while Dunaghy Old Boys comfortably won the other tie at home to Ballyrashane.

Macosquin Village and Balnamore both advanced into the quarter finals with wins over Mountview and West Bann respectively.

In the league, Hazelbank suffered a set back as they were held at home to this year's league surprise package, FC Macosquin. Berthas FC won the Castlerock derby against The Villagers while The Taverners took a good win against Brook Street in Ballymoney. In the remaining game, Finn McCools bounced back from last weeks defeat to hammer Coleraine Olympic.

Riverside Athletic went three points clear at the top of the table as they were awarded the win when Somerset were unable to field a team for their clash.

The next delegates meeting will be held on Monday 1st November.

REGISTRATION of new players is now closed until January 2011.

Hillview 0

Glebe Rangers Old Boys 4

In a break from league duties Hillview entertained Glebe Rangers Old Boys in the first round of the Knockout Shield at the weekend. Chances were hard to come by as both teams cancelled each other out in a cagey opening spell.

However Glebe opened their account when Steele anticipated a long Allen clearance and looped a header over McDowell.

Glebe increased their lead with a neat finish from Alan McBride, swiveling neatly before placing a low shot into the bottom corner. Hillview continued to press and Close blasted over when well placed inside the Glebe box.

Half time arrived without any further scoring. The second half continued in a similar theme and Glebe increased their lead with a Patterson penalty after Love had been impeded.

Despite their best efforts, one of which struck the woodwork, Hillview could not make any impression on a well-disciplined Old Boy's defence with Greer ably assisting in his defensive duties from midfield. Manager Davy-John McBride made his first appearance for a few weeks, enjoying a well-needed run out before Steele had the last word, as he seized on a knockdown before steering home. Man of the Match: Gary McCracken (Glebe Rangers Old Boys)

Dunaghy Old Boys 5

Ballyrashane FC 0

A cup match right the start with every ball fiercely contested.

Both teams had a couple of chances each before Ian Blair robbed the left back on 32 minutes and hit a low drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

On 38 minutes it was two nil.

A quick free kick resulted in Neal Keers finding the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Ballyrashane will feel a little unlucky being two down at the interval. The second half was barely started when Joe Patton received a nasty gash to the forehead and after a few minutes play resumed with Dunaghy on the attack and winning a penalty which Ian Christie duly missed.

Dunaghy were on top when Mark Blair put a great cross into the far post, which Ian Blair headed into the bottom corner for his second of the game on 57 minutes.

Mark Blair junior then took the game by the horns having two shots well saved before Nathan Blair converted two of his crosses.

The first a low shot and the second a great header two round off a good five nil win for Dunaghy. Man of the Match: Raymond Parkhill (Dunaghy Old Boys)

Macosquin Village 5

Mountview 1

Ryan Moffat gave the home team the lead in this one before he doubled their lead with a well-struck shot.

Macosquin Village continued on top in the second half and Gavin Johnson grabbed his team's third with Darren Stewart putting the score line beyond doubt with the fourth goal of the game. Young Ryan Moffat completed his hat trick from close range before Mountview got a consolation goal near the end.

Despite the score line the game was played end to end with both teams always on the attack. Man of the Match: Ryan Moffat (Macosquin Village)

West Bann Athletic 1

Balnamore 3

Saturday brought an excellent day weather-wise for this Knockout Shield encounter at Rugby Avenue.

Balnamore, who have had a stuttering start to their season, looked at this game with cautious optimism, looking for a return to form and the type of football they are renowned for.

West Bann early on looked lively and attacked with pace, knocking balls down the wings, but seldom troubling as they huffed and puffed.

The Balnamore back four of T. Kelly, Tweed, Halliday and Blair (Beetle) held the line well and rarely looked under pressure. Corr had a couple of half chances early on but the W.Bann keeper did well to deny him.

The opening came for the visitors when Ryan Mooney was brought down just inside the West Bann half, Nicky Tweed floated a long free kick into the home sides penalty area, Ryan Madison looked as if he was for putting his head to the ball, but checked, took the ball down, turned and smashed it past the West Bann keeper.

The rest of the half petered out a dour affair, but J. Kelly and Mooney were dominant in midfield and looked in control for Balnamore. West Bann had a couple of chances to get back into the game but poor finishing kept the score in the visitors favour.

After the break the game was pretty even, West Bann threatened but couldn't beat James 'the gloves' Elder in the Balnamore goal who denied the Bannsiders a number of times. Balnamore kept playing attacking football, and mid-way through the half it paid off, Sean Hogg received a great ball down the left, travelled with it to the byline, delivered a delightful cross and there was Ryan Madison to meet and side foot the ball past the stranded West Bann keeper from 15 yards to give the Fulton Park men a two goal advantage.

As the game wore on Balnamore replaced Corr with Ricky 'chin' Blair, who sprayed the ball around well, but within a few minutes received two cards, none saying happy birthday or best wishes, so it was an early shower for the big man.

West Bann couldn't capitalise with the visitors a man down, Balnamore passed the ball well through the middle of the park, resulting in Madison collecting the ball at the edge of the area, played a one two with Stevie McDowell, and after evading an avalanche of challenges, Maddy stroked the ball into the West Bann net to complete a great hat trick.

The game was almost over when West Bann scored a consolation goal, Lee Biggart pulling the trigger and salvaging something for their hard work, but it's Balnamore who march to the next round. Man of the Match: Ryan Madison (Balnamore)

Hazelbank 2

FC Macosquin 2

Hazelbank started the game well, both Sheppard and Diver getting into the game early, Mark Boorman and Diver linked well, setting Dave McClean free but unfortunately he couldn't get enough on the shot to trouble Conway in goals.

The deadlock was broken on 20 minutes, Michael O'Brien hooked the ball back from the line, Andy Moffat got caught out by the cross, hand ball, a soft one to get caught with.

Colin McClarty made no mistake from the spot.

Hazelbank pushed hard for the second but a well-organised Macosquin defence kept Hazelbank at bay.

Macosquin started the second half really strong.

Stephen McLaughlin got Macosquin on level terms smashing in a thunder bolt of a drive from 20yards giving Steven Crawford no chance. The game got scrappy with both teams giving there all. Mark Boorman got Hazelbank in front on 80 minutes, Reid's throw was flicked by McClarty on for Mark Boorman to half volley home.

Macosquin pilled on the pressure, McGuinness getting the leveler, similar to McLaughlin's goal, cutting in past King and drilling low into the bottom corner, overall a draw was a fair result for both teams. Man of the Match: Mark Mearns (FC Macosquin)

Berthas FC 4

The Villagers 0

This was a local derby of shots and usually starts off at a frantic pace and this one was no different with Berthas taking the lead after only four minutes of play. A succession of corners led to Chris Patterson glancing a header against the bar and from the resulting scramble the ball fell invitingly for David Patterson who lashed home was eight yards giving Friel no chance. Andrew Ridgell then nearly made it two but Pollock made a good block as the winger came in from the angle.

The Villagers first decent chance came when Rab Friel twisted and turned in the box before firing wide. Berthas did increase their lead when Cochrane found Ridgell down the line and he crossed for big Davy Caldwell to lash home a spectacular scissors kick, again giving Friel no chance.

The quick tempo continued and Berthas got their third when Ridgell's cross-caused confusion in the box and Davy Pollock inadvertently knocked the ball into his own net.

The Villagers kept going without creating anything of note despite a succession of corners and free kicks. With time running down Berthas hit The Villagers on the break to score their fourth.

Chris Patterson won a crunching tackle at the back with the ball finding its way to McAllister.

He found the feet of McGarvey who played in Cochrane who in turn flicked on a lovely ball to the advancing David Patterson. He controlled before picking out the unmarked Davy Caldwell and the big man headed home from six yards for a great team goal.

The Villagers still had time to pull out a great save from McCrory when he tipped Ricky Pollock's curler over the bar.

The second half was less eventful with The Villagers missing a few decent chances with McCrory saving well from Cutmore, Wilson and Johnson.

At the other end McIlreavy blasted over when it was probably easier to score and Alan McClarty just headed over the bar from close range. Berthas had already done enough and comfortably seen the game out in the end to pick up a good derby victory. Man of the Match: David Patterson (Berthas FC)

The Taverners 3

Brook Street 1

On a really good day for football both teams had a great attitude towards football, Brook Street started brightly and had opportunities to break the dead lock but Taverners where saved by exceptional keeper/manager Marshall Craig and outstanding defending by debutant Fabian Dunlop.

Taverners with a silky move played in the ever-dangerous Niall O'Kane who broke the offside trap and stroked the ball in to the bottom corner.

Second half Taverners where caught sleeping from a long free kick Ryan Duffy gambling at the back post.

From then on Brook street couldn't get past commander Danny Graham an the outstanding new signing Fabian Dunlop who's decision making made things easier for the Taverners who our starting to find their way in the league.

For Taverners second goal. Peter Baird picked the ball up inside his own half after a great tackle from the ever consistent captain Adam Shields Baird then turned like Jimmy McIlroy, taking out two midfielders then carried the ball 50 yards then with a Ronaldo step over he beat the Brook street defence with only the keeper to beat he calmly hit the ball low an hard in to the net with a majestic left foot strike.

Taverners pressed an pressed and there was only going to be one winner Taverners then scored a third Neale 'Bale' Thompson sealing the game, this was a good performance from Taverners an now there should be more to come from them. Man of the Match: Fabian Dunlop (The Taverners)

Finn McCools 6

Coleraine Olympic 1

Finns started well having alot of missed chances until J Parke beat the offside trap sticking it into the net. This settled Finns allowing them to play better football.

Finns got their second when McAfee passed a long ball to Conway who coolly put it away. Coleraine Olympic won a free kick just outside the box finding their players head but it ended up in the save hands of Boyce in goals.

Finns' third came when Parke again hit the back of the net with good football again coming from the wings. Second half Coleraine Olympic made a couple of subs which made a difference with Olympic coming into the game but it was too late when Parke got his hat trick with a mix up between the Olympic keeper and defender colliding along with the big striker getting a last touch to score. Four became five when Kane picked up the ball on the wing with no pressure going to goal putting it in the bottom corner.

Olympic pulled one back when a mistaken pass from Watton was given away and a shot outside the 18 yard box hit the crossbar landing straight to an Olympic player who made no mistake. The sixth came when sub M Parke took his first goal of the season well. Man of the Match: Johny Parke (Finn McCools)

Fixtures for Saturday 23 October

Ballyrashane v Hazelbank Ballysally 2

Bertha's F.C v Coleraine Olympic Castlerock

Dunaghy Old Boy's v Villagers F.C Dunaghy

Hillview F.C v Finn McCool's Crescent 3

Mountview F.C v Macosquin Village Rugby Avenue 3

Riverside Athletic v Glebe Rangers Old Boys Fulton Park

Somerset v Brook Street Rugby Avenue 2

Taverners F.C v F.C Macosquin Riada 2

West Bann Athletic v Balnamore F.C Rugby Avenue 1