SML round-up: Homers make light of icy conditions with red-hot display

The defending champions romped to their 10th win from 10 league outings by thumping Connor 11-0.

The weather decimated the fixture programme with many games being called off, including Friday night’s scheduled Mortgage Solutions Top Four Trophy final between Carniny Rangers and Ahoghill Thistle.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION ONE

Harryville Homers 11, Connor 0: Homers continued their relentless charge to a third league title as they produced another goal feast at home Connor to make it a perfect ten wins out of ten in the league.

The visitors were caught cold in the open minutes when the rejuvenated David Nicholl drilled a low shot home to make it one nil.

Alan Rainey made it two nil just minutes later when he squeezed the ball in at the near post with Ian Russell claiming the assist.

Marauding full back Ryan Stewart made it three with another trademark left foot drive from the edge of the box scoring his thirteenth goal of the season.

David Nicholl scored his second of the game with a similar edge of the box drive. He picked the ball up out wide before cutting onto his right foot before watching his shot once again leave the keeper helpless.

Skipper Gary Bonnes finished off the move of the game with a well placed header for number five. This was quickly followed by a Ricky Nicholl edge of the box drive to bring up the half dozen on the half hour mark.

The elusive David Nicholl provided another assist for Gary Bonnes as he scored with a close range drive.

Paul McNeill rounded off the first half scoring with a near post glancing header with David Nicholl once again providing the ammunition to make it 8-0 at the break.

Shell shocked Connor had no answers to the Harryville sides slick passing and moving and inevitably conceded number nine as Paul McNeill rifled his shot into the roof of the net with Alan Rainey providing the through ball.

Paul McNeill completed his hat trick with another rocket taking the Homer’s into double figures for the seventh time this season before Skipper Gary Bonnes, not to be outdone by his strike partner also completed his own hat trick with another well placed header to finish off the scoring.

FC Antrim 1, Clough Rangers 4: A depleted Clough side bounced back after a shock defeat to Moylena last week with this hard fought victory over FC Antrim.

After the opening quarter of an hour Clough started to get a hold of the game with Richard Gregg getting on the ball for them. Clough took the lead on 35 minutes when Adie McDonald swept the ball out wide for Jordan Leighton who crossed for Robbie Sutherland; he controlled and brilliantly picked his spot from close range.

Antrim hit back five minutes into the second half when Niall McCoy fired a free kick over the wall and past Colin Stewart in the Clough goal. Ten minutes later Clough regained their lead when Robbie Sutherland scored his second of the game after great work from Johnny Clarke set him up.

Antrim started to apply some pressure after this but Clough defended well and increased their lead to two goals when they hit Antrim on the break. Robbie Sutherland was the provider this time as he slipped in Adam Whitehurst who from an acute angle smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Clough sealed the win on the stroke of full time when Jonathan Rice headed the ball down to Colin Byers who fired in a superb volley to seal a great win for his side.

Raceview 2, Ballykeel 1: Two late goals for Raceview saw them claim all three points in a game they dominated for long spells.

Ballykeel controlled the opening exchanges with Justin Rowe and Barry Bonnes on top for them and they made their early dominance pay on six minutes. Daniel Boyd brilliantly turned his man on the edge of the box and fired into the bottom corner.

The second half saw Raceview control the game as they went in search of the equaliser but somehow they failed to make this dominance pay with Colin Craig failing to score on a few occasions when he was left one on one with Steven Watson in the Ballykeel goal.

Raceview must have been thinking it was going to be one of those days until 12 minutes from time they finally found the net. Matthew Redmond smashed a free kick off the post but the ball fell to Craig Larkin who fired home the rebound.

The pressure continued for Raceview and with four minutes to go they snatched the winner. Jamie Craig released Stefan Calderwood down the left and he crossed for Reece Kernohan to head home.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION THREE

Randalstown 2, Rectory Rovers 0: Randalstown’s charge towards the Division Three title continued with this victory over Rectory Rovers who defeated them earlier in the season.

The opening goal didn’t come, however, until 15 minutes from the end. Jordan Craig magnificently found the net with a free kick from 25 yards out giving Ciaran Cassley no chance.

Six minutes later Randalstown sealed the points when Darren Quigley crossed from the left and found Jordan Craig who found the net with a controlled finish to send his side nine points clear at the top of Division Three.

OTHER RESULTS

firmus energy Division One: FC Moylena 1, Michelin 1.

firmus energy Division Three: Templepatrick 9, Steadfast 1; Randalstown 2 Rectory Rovers 0; Woodside 7, Atletico Antrim 4.

FIXTURES

Saturday, January 24 - Toals County Antrim Junior Shield, round five (1.30pm): Ahoghill Rovers v Brentwood (Ahoghill).

Ace Cup, round one: Raceview v FC Moylena (Broughshane).

firmus energy Division One: Abbeyview v Clough Rangers (Forum); Connor FC v All Saints OB (Connor); FC Antrim v Harryville Homers (Forum); FC Penarol v Ballykeel (Showgrounds 5); Michelin v Carniny Rangers.

firmus energy Division Two: Cloughmills v Newpark Olympic; Glenravel v St Comgalls (Dunfane 1); Holywell v Braid United (Forum); Lisnafillan Swifts v Carnlough Swifts; Riverdale v Ahoghill Rovers (Wakehurst 2); Seven Towers v Galgorm Blues (Showgrounds 4); Waveney Swifts v Cullybackey Olympic (Waveney 2).

firmus energy Division Three: Atletico Antrim v Templepatrick (Forum); Rectory Rovers v Wakehurst Star (Waveney 1); Sporting Ballymoney v Woodside; Steadfast v Randalstown (Galgorm).