Raceview clinch league title

RACEVIEW clinched the Ballymena and Provincial Intermediate League title on Saturday.

A 5-2 win over Coleraine Crusaders – the only other team who could pip them to the Michelin Athletic Club-sponsored title – means the Broughshane men have an unassailable cushion with one match still to play.

It's a remarkable transformation for Raceview, whose last title came several years back and manager Jason Cairns' patient rebuilding job has now borne fruit.

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The action now switches to the Cups which stand at the moment:

Crawford Cup: Final - Kilbride Swifts v Brantwood on Wednesday, May 12, Allan Park, Antrim.

McReynolds Cup: Semi-finalists - Ballynure Old Boys v Coleraine Crusaders and Dunloy v Cookstown Olympic.

O'Gorman Cup: Semi-finalists - Dunloy v Clough Rangers Athletic and Ballynure Old Boys v Brantwood.

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Canada Trophy: Semi-finalists - Carniny Amateurs v Newtownabbey FC and Newtownabbey 7's v Ballymoney Utd Res

Linda Welshman Cup: Semi-finalists - Carniny Amateurs v Ballymoney Utd Res or Newtownabbey FC. Carnlough Swifts are already into the Final of the Linda Welshman Cup

CANADA TROPHY FINAL

The delayed 2008/09 final between Magherafelt Sky Blues Reserves and FC Larne will be played on Saturday, May 8, at Broughshane kick off 2pm.

MONTHLY MEETING

The next meeting will be held next Monday, May 10, in the Michelin Athletic Club commencing at 8pm Sharp. All Clubs to be in attendance.

APPLICATIONS

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Teams wishing to be considered for membership in the 2010/11 season should contact the secretary on 02825644326 or 07718809314 for details. It is planned to decide in June the format of the junior divisions for the new season.

FIXTURES

Matches involving locally-based sides this week are:

Tuesday, May 4 – Junior Division One: Carniny Amateurs v Newtownabbey FC.

Thursday, May 6 – Intermediate League: Kilbride Swifts v Clough Rangers Athletic; Raceview v Rasharkin United.

Canada Trophy semi-final: Carniny Amateurs v Newtownabbey FC.

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Saturday, May 8 – O'Gorman Cup semi-final: Dunloy v Clough Rangers Athletic.

INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE

Raceview 5, Coleraine Crusaders 2: The potential title decider went in Raceview's favour as they clinched a memorable championship success.

After a very good opening to the game the first goal came on the 34th minute, David Tennant made good ground before slotting the ball into the path of Gareth Mott who scored with a low first time shot.

Half-time was almost reached when on the 44th minutes Gareth Mott cut the ball back from close to the bye-line for Matt Boyd to head home giving Raceview a two nil lead at the break.

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Crusaders who had their chances in the fist-half got back into the game on the 52nd minute with Alan Sheppard scoring and then had a couple of chances to get back level.

Raceview then struck a telling blow inside a three minute spell first Bobby Hanna scored on the 70th minute and David Tennant who was having a very good game scored on the 73rd minute setting Crusaders an uphill task.

The Coleraine side got a lifeline when Ricky Close scored on the 79th minute but then had a man sent off shortly after this.

The game was then deep into stoppage time when Crusaders had a second player sent off for a professional foul inside the penalty box with Philip McBurney scoring the resulting penalty kick to end the game.

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Clough Rangers Athletic 2, Rasharkin United 1: This was another close game between the close neighbours with Clough winning by the odd goal in three.

Rasharkin started off well and had a chance to score before Shaun Hickey scored on the 21st minute but then saw Clough come back to cancel this out with Andy Logan converting a penalty on the 35th minute.

Half-time saw the teams still locked together and as the game progressed the next goal was going to be a possible winner.

This goal went to Clough when Andy Logan struck a sweet free into the top corner of the Rasharkin net on the 70th minute to settle a good game which on this performance gives both managers plenty of confidence for the new season.

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Other results: Kilbride Swifts 3, Dunloy 2; Desertmartin 3, FC Ballynure 2.

Midweek results: Clough Rangers Athletic 3, FC Ballynure 0; Dunloy 2, Coleraine Crusaders 3.

CRAWFORD CUP

Semi-final result: Raceview 2, Kilbride Swifts 4.

JUNIOR DIVISION ONE

Carniny Amateurs 3, Newtownabbey Sevens 2: After a bright opening to the game Dave Ramsey shot the Sevens into the lead which they held until Adam Whitehurst scored the equaliser for Carniny on the 32nd minute.

Half-time saw the teams still level then on the 60th minute Dave Ramsey scored his second goal in the game to put the Sevens in front for a second time. Carniny had chances to score before this goal and again before Gary McMeekin headed in from a cross by Adam Whitehurst on the 62nd minute.

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Both teams then saw the crossbar deny them goals on more than one occasion then on the 80th minute Barry Hamill hit a left foot screamer of a shot from 30 yards into the top corner of the Sevens net to win the game for Carniny.

Other result: Newtownabbey FC 4, Killymoon Rangers Reserves 4.

Midweek results: Newtownabbey FC 2, Ballymoney United Reserves 4; Ballynure Old Boys 'B' 4, Carniny Amateurs 1; Chimney Corner Reserves 5, Cookstown Athletic 2.

JUNIOR DIVISION THREE

Midweek results: Carnlough Swifts 1, Grange Rangers II 3; Newtownabbey FC Reserves 3, Dundrod Old Boys 2.

CANADA TROPHY

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Round three results: Woodlands 3, Ballymoney United Reserves 8; Carniny Amateurs 4, Chimney Corner Reserves 1; Moyola Park Olympic 1, Newtownabbey Sevens 1 (Newtownabbey win 5-4 on pens); Newtownabbey FC 2, Cookstown Olympic Colts 2 (Newtownabbey win 4-3 on pens).

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