Glebe crowned champions

Ian Bellinghams’ men have 2 games left this season and having only dropped points in one game, will be looking to go through the whole season unbeaten in what would be an excellent achievement in a very competitive league. Balnamore FC reached their second final in Cup competition this season, defeating Finn McCools 4-0 and will now advance to face Glebe Rangers Old Boys in the end of season showpiece.

This Friday the Coleraine Social Club Knockout Shield final will be played at the Coleraine Showgrounds with Balnamore FC facing West Bann Athletic. Both teams are strong and capable of beating anyone on their day so either could pick up victory on the night. The game is a 7pm Kick off and all spectators will be asked to make a small donation which will go to charity.

Balnamore FC 4 Finn McCools 0

Balnamore booked their place in the cup final with a solid team victory over an in-form Finns side. The Bushmills men have been knocking up a number of great results of late, so Balnamore came into the match wary of this. Both teams took time to settle before Balnamore opened the scoring as Simon Armstrong headed home Charlie Blair’s cross.

Balnamore doubled their advantage as Nicky Tweed headed in Noel Halliday’s corner. Finns almost pulled a goal back after the restart as Johnny Parke rattled an effort off the woodwork. Balnamore grabbed a third halfway through the second half as Hegarty crossed for Armstrong to head home again.

Heggarty soon notched a goal for himself, beating his man to fire home with his left foot after good work by Brent Watton. Finns threw men forward trying to salvage something, but they couldn’t find a way past a resolute Balnamore defence. Well done to Both sides for playing an entertaining and fair game. Man of the Match: Simon Armstrong (Balnamore)

West Bann Athletic 2 Hazelbank FC 3

Hazelbank grabbed all three points in an exciting game at Rugby Avenue. Barry Greene and Johnny McIlreavy put the visitors two up at the break, but credit to West Bann they didn’t lie down. And they got back into the game on 55 minutes as Luke Bacon’s shot deflected in off the unfortunate Kelly.

But it was Hazelbank who scored again as McIlreavy finished off a free flowing move.

Right at the death Pancott reduced the arrears again as he finished well from the edge of the box. Man of the Match: Jimmy Smith (Hazelbank FC)

The Villagers 6 FC Windyhall 1

The Villagers went into this game on a revenge mission following their 1-0 defeat in their reverse fixture. And they were one up on eight minutes as MacFarlane finished off Wilson’s superb through ball. Stuart Parke added a second three minutes later with a sublime effort. The opening blitz continued as Wilson chipped the keeper to make it 3-0.

The hosts added three more before the break as MacFarlane helped himself to the treble to blow their opponents away. Ryan shirlow almost made it seven with a great strike that just missed.

In the second half the Villagers didn’t get the same rhythm and Windyhall came more and more into it, Donnell in particular was very impressive! Wilson was unlucky and Georgie Hutchinson went close with a audacious effort from 25 yards for the home side. The away side scored a consolation from Krissy Thompson on 68 minutes to spoil what was a great performance from the Villagers rearguard. Man of the Match: Davy Pollock (The Villagers)