SML round-up: Top three sides all record wins

The top three sides in the Ballymena Mortgages Saturday Morning League all won again on Saturday to maintain their positions in a fascinating title race.
Galgorm Blues player Adam Mairs keeps ahead of his Athletico Antrim opponent. INBT45-259ACGalgorm Blues player Adam Mairs keeps ahead of his Athletico Antrim opponent. INBT45-259AC
Galgorm Blues player Adam Mairs keeps ahead of his Athletico Antrim opponent. INBT45-259AC

BALLYMENA MORTAGES DIVISION ONE

Carniny Rangers 3, Carnlough Swifts 2: Dean Dunlop’s header after three minutes gave Carniny the start they wanted and the lead was doubled before the interval through a Ryan Sands penalty after James Gracey had been fouled.

The visitors were right back in the game at the start of the second half when Niall Hamill’s free kick was powerfully headed in by Padraig McDermott.

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It was all square within ten minutes when Paul Aiken pounced on a mistake in the Carniny defence and slotted past Alex McCosh. The clincher came with ten minutes left when Darren Kidd picked up the ball on the right and rocketed a shot into the net to claim the points for Carniny.

Harryville Homers 4, Clough Rangers 1: Homers’ opening goal was scored by Jasin Magill as the big striker lost his marker to turn in David Nicholl’s corner kick.

The second came moments later as Jason Logan picked out Gary Baird on the six yard line for the energetic midfielder to open his scoring account for the season.

The visitors were handed an unlikely lifeline as normally reliable Homers keeper Ryan Martin had a lapse in concentration to allow Clough’s Jordan Leighton’s shot to slip through his grasp.

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The Harryville side restored their two goal advantage courtesy of David Nicholl’s goal as he tricked his way past the Rangers defence to send Homers 3-1 up at half time.

The home side finished the game off as a contest midway through the second period when Alan Rainey scored low into the bottom corner.

OTHER RESULTS

Ballymena Mortgages Division One: Ahoghill Thistle 3, Shore Wanderers 1; FC Moylena 1, FC Penarol 3.

Ballymena Mortgages Division Two: Raceview 8, Randalstown 4; Cloughmills Thistle 0, Braid United 2; North End Shamrocks 2, Cushendall 1; Waveney Swifts 4, FC Antrim 1; St Comgalls 5, Holywell 0.

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Sammy Moore Cup, first round, first leg: Woodside 3, Steadfast 3; Galgorm Blues 3, Atletico Antrim 2; Cullybackey Olympic 5, Templepatrick 0.

Ballymena Mortgages Division Three: Newpark Olympic 1, Lisnafillan Swifts 2.

FIXTURES

Friday, November 8 - firmus energy Top Four Final (7.45pm): Carniny Rangers v Harryville Homers (Showgrounds main arena).

Saturday, November 9 (10.15am) - Ballymena Mortgages Division One: Abbeyview v FC Moylena (Forum); Ahoghill Thistle v All Saints OB (Ahoghill); Carnlough Swifts v Ballykeel; Clough Rangers v Randalstown Sky Blues (Clough); FC Penarol v Michelin (Showgrounds 5); Shore Wanderers v Ahoghill Rovers (Forum).

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Ballymena Mortgages Division Two: Connor FC v Braid United (Connor); Cushendall v St Comgalls (Sandy Bay); Holywell v North End Shamrocks (Forum); Raceview v Cloughmills (Broughshane); Randalstown v FC Antrim; Seven Towers v Waveney Swifts (Showgrounds 5).

Ballymena Mortgages Division Three: Glenravel v Lisnafillan Swifts (Waveney 2); FC Bayern Money v Cullybackey Olympic; Steadfast v Galgorm Blues (Galgorm); Templepatrick v Newpark Olympic (Forum); Wakehurst Star v Woodside.

* Don’t miss this week’s Ballymena Times for a full preview of the firmus energy Top Four final between Carniny Rangers and Harryville Homers on Friday night.

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