SML round-up: No fairytale start for new boys

There was no fairytale start for new boys Rectory Rovers as a new season kicked off in the firmus energy Saturday Morning League at the weekend.
Mid-air action between Rectory Rovers and Newpark Olympic during their O'Kane Cup match. INBT32-234ACMid-air action between Rectory Rovers and Newpark Olympic during their O'Kane Cup match. INBT32-234AC
Mid-air action between Rectory Rovers and Newpark Olympic during their O'Kane Cup match. INBT32-234AC

Rovers, a new addition to the league this year, went down 6-3 to Newpark Olympic in the opening round of the County Antrim Post O’Kane Cup.

And to cap a good opening weekend for Antrim sides, there were wins in the same competition for FC Antrim and FC Moylena.

The league campaigns in the three divisions kick off this midweek, with Saturday designated as a free day.

Mid-air action between Rectory Rovers and Newpark Olympic during their O'Kane Cup match. INBT32-234ACMid-air action between Rectory Rovers and Newpark Olympic during their O'Kane Cup match. INBT32-234AC
Mid-air action between Rectory Rovers and Newpark Olympic during their O'Kane Cup match. INBT32-234AC

O’KANE CUP, ROUND ONE

Rectory Rovers 3, Newpark Olympic 6: Newpark kicked off the campaign in the O’Kane Cup against new boys Rectory Rovers and they took only two minutes to open the scoring when Willy Davidson made it 1-0.

Newpark never put on the brakes and doubled their lead on four minutes when Jamie Nutter this time found the net.

A long day looked on the cards for Rovers but to their credit they battled back into the game and got a goal back when Paul Donegan found the net with a thunderbolt from 30 yards out.

Six minutes later Rovers were level when Alex Telford scored from the spot to make it 2-2. The game flowed from end to end with chances at both ends but it was Newpark who got the next goal four minutes before the break when Jamie Nutter got his second of the game to send his side in 3-2 up at the break.

The second half started with Newpark in the ascendency again and they regained their two goal cushion 10 minutes in when Jamie Nutter fired home to complete his hat trick.

Rovers again to their credit did not lie down and got back to within a goal again when Alex Telford again found the net from another spot kick.

With Rovers pushing for an equaliser Newpark were able to pick them off and they made it 5-3 on one of these attacks when they themselves were awarded a penalty kick, which was duly dispatched by Victor Gibson.

Gibson then sealed the tie when he scored with a 25 yard free kick to round of f the scoring and send Newpark into round two where they will face Waveney Swifts.

FC Penarol 1, FC Moylena 6: Given the final scoreline, it was perhaps surprising that half-time was reached with no scoring.

The second half proved to be a more eventful period with Conor Johnston heading home the opener for Moylena from five yards from a Chris McCollum corner.

Penarol equalised with their only chance of the half through David McBride after a good run and layoff from Ricky Stewart.

Conor Johnston added another header from a free kick also delivered by Chris McCollum as Moylena soon regained their lead.

Kevin Walsh scored after a mix up in the Penarol defence to make it 3-1 and soon after Kevin Walsh made it 4-1 with his second goal after good work down the left.

After a handball in the Penarol box, Conor Johnston stepped up to slot home for his hat trick, a great achievement for a centre back.

Jeff McNicholl added the last with great bit of individual skill which was fully deserved from his performance during the game.

This result sends Moylena into round three as they receive a bye in the next round due to the withdrawal this week of Randalstown Sky Blues.

Wakehurst Star 1, FC Antrim 4: This game was played in poor conditions with the wind and rain making for a scrappy game, but it was Antrim who ran out easy winners.

Antrim took the game to Star right from the outset and took a deserved lead on 16 minutes when a corner kick from Shane Donnelly was headed home at the back post by younger brother Aidy Donnelly.

Seven minutes later Antrim doubled their advantage with a lovely flowing move which resulted in Steven Holden splitting the Star defence for Steven Hamilton who beat his marker before firing home as Antrim held a two goal lead at the break.

The second half saw Antrim again control the game and on the hour mark they put the game beyond Star when Ryan McFadden headed home the third goal after a great cross from the left from Graham Strong.

Ten minutes later Antrim made it 4-0 when John McCoy was fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded. Shane Donnelly stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.

Star got a consolation goal back late on through Darren McNeilly but it was too little too late as Antrim had done enough to set up a second round tie with Woodside.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, August 6 (7pm) - firmus energy Division Two: St Comgalls v Carnlough Swifts; Braid United v Ahoghill Rovers (Broughshane); Seven Towers v Cullybackey Olympic (Showgrounds 4); Riverdale v Newpark Olympic (Wakehurst 2); Cloughmills v Glenravel FC; Waveney Swifts v Galgorm Blues (Waveney 2); Holywell v Lisnafillan Swifts (Forum).

firmus energy Division Three: Templepatrick v Rectory Rovers (Forum); Atletico Antrim v Randalstown (Forum); Woodside v Cushendall (Wakehurst 6); Steadfast v Wakehurst Star (Galgorm).

Thursday, August 7 (7pm) - firmus energy Division One: Carniny Rangers v FC Moylena (Wakehurst 6); Ahoghill Thistle v Abbeyview (Ahoghill); Clough Rangers v FC Penarol (Clough); All Saints OB v Connor FC (Showgrounds 5); Michelin v Raceview.

Saturday, August 9 - free Saturday.

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