It's no problem for Houston

Houston's treble saw off the challenge of FC Moylena and keeps 'View in third position in Division One.

BSML DIVISION ONE

FC Moylena 1, Abbeyview 3: This was a big Antrim 'derby' between two teams who hope to qualify for next season Top Four Cup so there was a lot at stake.

Abbeyview started well and got their deserved lead in the 25th minute when Chris Perks had a shot which rebounded out to Darren Houston to fire into the bottom corner.

Moylena then went close to snatching an equaliser late on in the half when Cliff Wilson had a goal bound effort cleared of the goal line by Ryan Carson to send Abbeyview in one up at half time.

Abbeyview started the second half at a great pace and on the 50th minute Darren Houston broke down the left, cut inside onto his right and fired the ball into the top corner of the net from outside the box.

Moylena had no answer to a rampant Abbeyview side who got their third with ten minutes to go to ensure three points. Andy Robinson did the damage with a great run down the right wing before laying the ball into the path of Darren Houston who had the simple task of tapping the ball home to complete his hat trick.

Moylena snatched a consolation goal in the dying minutes when Nathan Wilson sprung the Abbeyview off side trap to sprint clear and fire home but it was too little too late.

Randalstown Sky Blues 2, Ballykeel 1: Ballykeel have been on a good run recently which has resulted in them climbing out of the relegation zone but they were beaten by a Sky Blues side who were inspired by a great goal from Randal Reid.

The home side had the better of the first half but squandered several chance by Randal Reid and Ian Murray.

The second half saw Sky Blues step up the pace and they opened the scoring 15 minutes into the half when Randal Reid did well to win a corner kick which Darren Quigley sent over for player manager Chay Hogarty to head home.

Fifteen minutes later Sky Blues struck again when Randal Reid collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sent an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net.

Ballykeel battled away and got there just rewards 10 minutes from the end when Justin Rowe put through Barry Bonnes who smashed the ball into the Randalstown net.

Justin Rowe was involved again in the remaining seconds when the Sky Blues keeper David Reid brought off a great save in one on one in the last kick of the game to guarantee Sky Blues the three points.

All Saints OB 4, FC Antrim 0: The winning run continues for Saints this time at the expense of FC Antrim who put up a good fight until a second half hat trick from Conor Crilly seen Saints get all three points.

The home side started well taking the game to FC Antrim but found their defence hard to break down as Owen Montague marshalled his defence well and limited Saints to long range efforts. Saints' early dominance paid off on 20 minutes when they opened the scoring with a five man move. Micky McCarry took a quick throw in to Aidan O’Kane who slipped the ball into Ryan Brady who quickly released Stephen Tully who knocked a ball into the path of Eoin Hudson who took a touch before slotting the ball past Paul Burns in the FC Antrim goal.

Ryan Brady then should have made it 2-0 five minutes later but his lobbed effort went just over and then Stephen Tully skimmed the bar with a volley from all of 20 yards as Saints tried to seal the game before the break.

The second half again saw Saints on the front foot and they made it 2-0 on 55 minutes when Aidan O’Kane fed the overlapping Micky McCarry down the right and his deep cross deceived everyone except Conor Crilly who was on hand to fire the ball home from close range.

Eight minutes later Saints made it 3-0 when Aidan O’Kane and Ryan Brady combined to set up Crilly to score from six yards out.

Straight from the kick off Saints made it 4-0 when Crilly charged down an Antrim defender before skipping past him and then coolly rounded Burns before firing home to complete his hat trick. Antrim keeper Burns then made two brilliant saves, one from an Eoin Hudson header and then another full length save from an Aidan O’Kane effort.

BSML DIVISION TWO

Clough Rangers 0, Broadway Celtic 2: Celtic kept their Division Two title charge going with this hard fought victory over relegation threatened Clough.

Celtic controlled the early exchanges and took a deserved lead on 15 minutes when a Niall O’Hara cross was flicked on by Brian Maybin to Stephen Sexton who turned and shot past Philip Simpson in the Clough goal.

With Clough pushing Celtic looked dangerous on the break and Niall O’Hara squandered a great chance to double their lead on one of these breaks when he was played in by Donald Crawford but his tame effort was easily saved by Philip Simpson.

Celtic looked to have doubled their lead on 75 minutes when Brian Maybin headed home at the back post but the goal was ruled out for offside, but he wasn’t to be denied as Brian Maybin sealed all three points for Celtic in the dying minutes when he headed home a Darren Burgoyne cross to keep their title push going.

FC Penarol 5, Braid United 3: Penarol recorded only their second win on the season as they came out on top in this topsy turvy game.

There was only 10 minutes gone when Penarol opened the scoring when a Ronald Balmer corner kick caused a goalmouth scramble and Mark Jamison was on hand to hammer home from six yards out.

Penarol held the lead for less than 10 minutes as Braid hit back on 19 minutes when a free kick from Barry Mawhinney fell to Roy Willighan at the back post and he fired home to level the game.

Braid then took the lead five minutes before the break when Richard McClean rose highest at the near post to head home a Derek Montgomery corner kick.

Right on the stroke of half time Penarol drew level when Ronald Balmer played a short corner to Darren Cummings whose cross was headed home by David McBride to send the sides in level at the break.

Braid regained the lead minutes after half time when Barry Mawhinney played a one two with Derek Montgomery on the edge of the box to set himself free before coolly slotting the ball home.

Penarol, despite going behind again, didn’t let their heads drop and drew level on the hour mark when Darren Cummings split the Braid defence for Dean Wright to race clear and score.

The home side sensed that they could get all three points and they took the lead with 20 minutes to go when Ronald Balmer found the net with a free kick from 20 yards out.

Penarol made it 5-3 with eight minutes to go and sealed the points when Dean Wright reacted quickest to fire home after a David McBride shot was parried.

A superb victory for Penarol which gives them more of a chance of avoiding relegation, but this defeat for Braid puts a further dent in their play-off hopes.

OTHER RESULTS

BSML Division One: Harryville Homers 7, Templepatrick 4; Glenarm Rovers 3, Carnlough Swifts 1; Ahoghill Rovers 2, North End 1; Carniny Rangers 5, Holywell 0.

BSML Division Two: Seven Towers 1, St Comgalls 0; Shore Wanderers 1, Connor FC 2.

Sammy Moore Trophy, quarter-final first leg: Atletico Antrim 1, Westend Athletic 1.

Sammy Moore Trophy, quarter-final second legs: Cloughmills Thistle 2, Randalstown 4 (Randalstown win 7-5 on aggregate); Dunloy Athletic 2, Lisnafillan Swifts 2 (Dunloy Athletic win 9-2 on aggregate).

BSML Division Three: Inver Athletic 3, Steadfast 1.

FIXTURES

Saturday, April 3 (10.15am) - Arkmedia-sponsored O’Kane Cup semi-final: Clough Rangers v Abbeyview (Showgrounds 4).

BSML Division One: Carnlough Swifts v Holywell.

BSML Division Two: Connor FC v FC Penarol (Connor); St Comgalls v Seven Towers.

BSML Division Three: Dunloy Athletic v Atletico Antrim.