SML round-up: Homers aiming for unprecedented ‘clean sweep’ this Friday

Harryville Homers will aim to write their name in Ballymena Saturday Morning League folklore this Friday night.
Harryville Homers celebrate after beating Michelin to win the Ace Cup. INBT22-216ACHarryville Homers celebrate after beating Michelin to win the Ace Cup. INBT22-216AC
Harryville Homers celebrate after beating Michelin to win the Ace Cup. INBT22-216AC

Homers will be aiming to complete a ‘clean sweep’ of trophies they have competed for this season when they take on Clough Rangers in the final of the Rainey Cup at Michelin (7.15pm).

Remarkably, it will be Robert Duddy’s side FIFTH final of the season - capped, of course, by their Coca-ola IFA Junior Cup triumph earlier this month.

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Clough Rangers will be hoping they can stop Homers in this Final as the last time they met in the League they were one of two teams this season who took points of Homers when they drew 0-0.

Gary Bonnes, captain of Harryville Homers, along with his son Parker, receives the Ace Cup from Brian Montgomery, after they beat Michelin 3-0. INBT22-215ACGary Bonnes, captain of Harryville Homers, along with his son Parker, receives the Ace Cup from Brian Montgomery, after they beat Michelin 3-0. INBT22-215AC
Gary Bonnes, captain of Harryville Homers, along with his son Parker, receives the Ace Cup from Brian Montgomery, after they beat Michelin 3-0. INBT22-215AC

This Final will bring the curtain down on a memorable season and with Homers going all out for a record haul of Trophies and Clough in good form recently and finishing in the Top Four, a close battle is expected.

ACE CUP FINAL

Harryville Homers 3, Michelin 0: This match was in doubt because of the sudden death of Homers player Geoff Mitchell’s mother Barbara Mitchell who died on Friday, but after consultations with Geoff and the Family, both teams agreed to play the Final with both teams wearing black armbands and a minute’s silence observed prior to kick off.

Homers got the opening goal midway through the first half when Michael Smyth split the Homers defence for Gary Bonnes who out muscled his man and fired under Sean Ward to score.

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Three minutes before half-time, Homers doubled their lead. Jason Logan danced past two men and slipped in Darren Campbell to fire in at the near post.

Homers got the third goal to kill the game 23 minutes from the end. Jason Logan raced to the by line on the right and chipped the ball to the back post for David Nicholl who smashed the ball home.

After the final whistle BSML secretary Brian Montgomery handed the Ace Cup on behalf of Ace Fixings over to Homers Captain Gary Bonnes and the celebrations began again.

Harryville Homers: Ryan Martin, Richard Forsythe, Ryan Stewart, Ian Bussell, David Gibson, Michael Smyth, Darren Campbell, Jason Logan, Gary Bonnes, Paul McNeill and David Nicholl. Subs: Jasin Magill, Lee Garrett, Jason Stevenson, Keithy Wylie and Gary Baird.

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Michelin: Sean Ward, Neil Tully, Thomas McCullough, Gareth Hill, Dessie Birt, Geoff Tweed, Craig Larkin, Leroy Kennedy, Michael McQuitty, Stephen Sexton and Sammy McCullough. Subs: David Fusco, Thomas Agnew, Michael mcGroggan, Declan McGuckin and Chris Gilmour.

Referee: Mr Anto Quigg. Assistant Referees: Mr Timmy Hume and Mr Rodney Campbell.

BALLYMENA MORTGAGES DIVISION ONE

Harryville Homers 3, Carniny Rangers 0: Homers completed their second successive unbeaten league campaign with this routine victory over Harryville rivals Carniny.

The champions hit the ground running opening the scoring on two minutes. Jason Logan swung over a cross which was headed home from six yards out by David Nicholl.

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Jason Logan hit the bar early in the second half but he wasn’t to be denied as soon after his cross from the left beat everyone and snuck in at the back post to make it 2-0.

Homers were awarded a penalty on 56 minutes. Stand in captain Ian Russell, one of the few Homers players not to score this season, stepped up and saw his spot kick saved by Alex McCosh. From the resulting corner David Nicholl nipped in at the near post to head home after being picked out by Ryan Stewart.

Carniny were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty of their own, but Rico Wylie smashed his spot kick against the post.

OTHER RESULTS

Ballymena Mortgages Division One: Randalstown Sky Blues 0, Carniny Rangers 4

FIXTURES

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Tuesday, May 27 (7.15pm) - Ballymena Mortgages Division One: Carniny Rangers v Michelin (Wakehurst 1)

Friday, May 30 (7.15pm) - Rainey Cup Final: Clough Rangers v Harryville Homers (Michelin).

Saturday, May 31 (10.15am) - Ballymena Mortgages Division One: Carnlough Swifts v FC Moylena.

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