Carniny land first trophy of SML season

THE Harryville ‘Big Two’ met in the Ballymena Mortgages Top Four Final at the main Arena and after trailing by the odd goal at half time Carniny again showed why they are the Champions with three goals in the second half to lift their first Trophy of the season.

Harryville Homers came out of the traps running and took the game to Carniny with Paul McNeill and the pacy Alan Rainey causing the Carniny defence major problems so it was no surprise when they took the lead after 7 minutes.

Ian Millar sent in a free kick which Alister Forsythe somehow got in front of Carniny’s keeper Alex McCosh to head the ball into the net.

Homers dominated the most of the first half but squandered several chances with the best chance falling to Paul McNeill who shot wide when well placed to score.

Whatever Robert young said to the Carniny players at half time paid off in the second half as they equalised within 4 minutes of the restart.

Maurice McDowell went on a run down the left and cut inside before firing a shot goal wards which Chris Dowie deflected and the ball went into the net off the post.

Carniny started to dominate and Roger Jones was upended on the out ball line 15 yards from the half way line and was awarded a free kick. He sent in a cross-cum-shot which deceived Ryan Martin and he could only help it into the net to give Carniny the lead for the first.

Homers’ cause took another set back when they had a player sent off half way through the half for a second yellow card.

It was all Carniny now with Chris Dowie going close twice before he got on the end of a Roger Jones through ball on the right and rifled a ball into the roof of the net to make it 3-1 for Carniny Rangers and secured them the Ballymena Mortgages Top Four Cup for the first time in six years.

After the Final whistle Joe Burrell of Ballymena Mortgages handed over the Ballymena Mortgages Top Four Cup to winning Carniny Rangers Captain Alan Gaston.

Carniny Rangers: Alex McCosh, Mark Waddell, Ryan Balmer, Derek Reid, Alan Gaston, Ryan Bamber, Alan Cochrane, James Gracey, Chris Dowie, Roger Jones and Maurice McDowell. Subs: Leslie McCaughern, Fraser Yound, Jason Robinson, Jonathan Doak and Stephen Greene.

Harryville Homers: Ryan Martin, Jason McKay, Philip McBurney, Ian Russell, Ricky Forsythe, Gary Baird, Darren Campbell, Alan Rainey, Paul McNeill, Ian Millar, Alister Forsythe, Subs: Gary Bonnes, Barry McDowell, Chris McDonald and Mark McKay.

Referee: Mr Roy Willighan. Assistant Referees: Mr Brian Patterson and Mr. Robert Swann.

Don’t miss this week’s Ballymena Times for more pictures from the final, along wit ha full rundown of SML reports, fixtures and league tables.