SML round-up: Brothers fire Southside to Rainey Cup shock

Third division Southside produced a remarkble comeback from two goals down to eliminate second division Holywell from the Rainey Cup.

RAINEY CUP, ROUND TWO

Southside Rangers 3, Holywell 2: On a rare break away up field on 20 minutes from a corner Holywell took the lead as a result of poor marking when Sean Hale headed home a Chris McIntyre corner.

It was 0-2 on the half hour mark when again from a corner the visitors capitalised with Sean Hale heading home from close range again from another McIntyre corner.

The introduction of Corey Godfrey at half time along with the reshuffle of the pack and the introduction of Ryan Stewart on 55 minutes would change the outcome of the game entirely.

Sam McNiece now in the wide right position started to cause havoc for the visitors. In a frantic 10 minute period the home side showed their resilience pulling a goal back on the hour mark from their inspiring captain Dylan Graham as his long range effort cannoned off the underside of the bar and into the net.

Not to be out done by his younger brother it was the turn of Dean Graham on 65 minutes to level the game with a beautifully executed lob from the edge of the box leaving the Holywell keeper helpless.

With the game now all square Southside continued the pressure looking for the goal that would put them in front. It was only minutes later that it deservedly arrived.

The vastly experienced Rab Wright was involved again when he won possession just outside the box finding Daniel Hogg who in turn played a clever through ball to Ryan Stewart.

Controlling the pass Ryan then delivered the goal slotting home calmly below the advancing keeper.

The referee played an amazing nine minutes of added time at the end of the 90 but the outcome of the game was never in any doubt when Southside got themselves in front with the third and decisive goal.

Michelin 1, Carnlough Swifts 2: Swifts’ potent attack of Brendan McDermott and Sean Ward struggled to create any clear openings while at the other end the only real chance for Michelin came for Derek Montgomery but he dragged his shot wide.

The opening goal came 11 minutes before the break and it came for the home side. Geoff Tweed kept alive a corner kick and knocked the ball wide left for Gerard Spurgeon whose cross was met at the near post by the head of Paul O’Neill to give his side the lead.

Swifts hit back early in the second half when Michael Abram swung over a free kick from the right and Steven Morgan nipped in front of his marker to head home and make it level.

As the half progressed the game looked more likely to head into extra time until nine minutes to go the deceive moment in the match came.

Stephen Morgan got free on the edge of the box and his shot was adjudged to be handled on the line by a Michelin player and the penalty was awarded, with the Michelin player receiving his marching orders.

After a delay Sean Ward stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-1 to Swifts.

Michelin pushed hard to get back in the game and almost forced extra time in the dying minutes when substitute David Waddell flicked a Gerard Spurgeon cross against the bar as Swifts held out to make it into the next round.

ACE CUP ROUND ONE

Abbeyview 2, FC Moylena 1: View saw off Antrim rivals Moylena to seal a place in the Quarter Finals, but they had to come from behind to make it through.

Abbeyview where caught cold early on when a long throw in found its way to Caolan McKeown who turned well and fired home from close range.

The early exchanges where scrappy but Abbeyview got level when a poor clearance from the Moylena goalkeeper fell to Johnny Hunter who improvised superbly to send the ball back first time over the goalkeepers head.

The second half continued like the first with neither side really exerting any authority on the game but just as the game looked like it was heading for extra time Abbeyview snatched a winner through the unlikeliest of sources as David Moore capitalised on a poor defensive clearance to fire home the winner from about 20 yards out.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION ONE

Newpark Olympic 0, Carniny Rangers 1: With 25 minutes to play Newpark lost Victor Gibson, one of their best performers, with an injury. This saw striker Ryan Carson drop back to replace his injured team mate.

Within ten minutes Carniny took the lead. Shane Donnelly and Frazer Young worked a short corner and when the ball came into the box it fell into the path of sub Darren Kidd who spun and hit a shot past Rod Crawford from 6 yards for his 14th goal of the season.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION TWO

Ahoghill Rovers 0, Seven Towers 1: These sides faced off last week in the Rainey Cup with Rovers running out easy winners, but this time it was Towers who came out with the win thanks to a Matt McAnally goal which could prove crucial in the promotion shake up.

The decisive goal came midway through the second half following a corner from the left, when Ryan Brady swung the ball over for Marcus Hnadford who headed the ball down for Matt McAnally to fire home from six yards out.

Towers should have made it 2-0 through Marcus Handford when he dived to head another Ryan Brady keeper but Aaron Fulton did well to save.

Aaron Fulton was keeping the score line down now for Rovers as he saved from Ryan Brady and Conor Graham as Towers failed to add to their lead but the goal from Matt McAnally was enough to take them up to second in the league.

OTHER RESULTS

firmus energy Division One: Raceview 5, Ballykeel 2.

firmus energy Division Two: Randalstown 1, Woodside 2; Waveney Swifts 3, FC Penarol 2.

CGRSC Sammy Moore Cup, second round, first leg: Templepatrick 1, Northend & District 3.

FIXTURES

Saturday, March 12 - Toals County Antrim Shield, fifth round (1.30pm): Greenisland v Harryville Homers.

firmus energy Division One: Ahoghill Thistle v Ballykeel (Ahoghill); All Saints OB v Glenravel (Showgrounds 5); Clough Rangers v Newpark Olympic (Clough); Riverdale v Raceview (Wakehurst 2); FC Moylena v Carniny Rangers (Forum).

firmus energy Division Two: Cloughmills v Woodside; Cushendall v Randalstown (Cargan); Galgorm Blues v FC Penarol (Galgorm); Michelin v Ahoghill Rovers; Seven Towers v Carnlough Swifts (Showgrounds 4).

firmus energy Division Three: Braid United v Ruby’s Rovers (Broughshane); Cullybackey Olympic v Atletico Antrim (Tober Park); Northend & District v Steadfast (Waveney 2); St Comgalls v Templepatrick; Southside Rangers v Wakehurst Star (Wakehurst 1).