SML round-up: Penalty joy for All Saints in Ace Cup

The third final of the season between the sides had everything in terms of entertainment and was a real advertisement for the BSML and in the end 10 man Saints ran out 3-2 winners in a penalty shootout thanks to two excellent saves from their keeper Brian Martin – all this after the sides had battled out a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Saints started well with Gavin Burnside having a shot saved in the first minute from Ryan Martin in the Homers goals, and then three minutes later Saints got the opening goal.

Philip Lynn flicked a ball over the top of the Homers defence which Aaron Wilkinson ran onto despite cries for offside and he coolly slipped the ball into the path of Alan Telford who slotted into the empty net to make it 1-0.

Homers worked their way into the game and drew level on 12 minutes when a free kick from Jason Stevenson wide on the left was headed into his own net by a Saints defender.

Homers got themselves in front 10 minutes before half time when Ryan Stewart broke down the left and he pulled the ball back to edge of the box for Jason Stevenson whose first time shot found the corner of the net to make it 2-1.

Just as Homers looked to be going in at the break in front Saints struck the equaliser when Philip Lynn knocked the ball down the right for Gavin Burnside who cut inside before playing the ball to Aaron Wilkinson whose first touch took him past his marker and he fired the ball past Martin to send the sides in level at the break.

Homers came out the second half and started to exert a lot of pressure on the Saints goal and looked to have regained the lead when Gary Bonnes fired home at the back post, but he was adjudged to be in an offside position.

Saints introduced Liam Cassley and he was to have a big impact on the game as within minutes of coming on he had a shot cleared off the line before on 63 minutes he was dismissed for a late tackle on Homers’ Gary Baird and Saints were reduced to ten men.

Homers kept piling pressure onto the Saints defence but they held out with both Stephen Tully and Michael Maybin superb in making sure their team took the game into extra time, which started with a bang when Saints got a goal straight from the kick off.

Homers took the kick off and passed the ball all the way back to their defence and when they tried to play the ball back to keeper Ryan Martin it was intercepted by Peter McReynolds who slotted the ball into the corner of the net to make it 3-2 to Saints.

This signalled the beginning of an onslaught from Homers but it wasn’t until three minutes before the end of extra time that they got the equalising goal. Ryan Stewart swung over a free kick from the right which was met by the head Richard Forsythe at the near post and it found its way into the net to send the game into a penalty shootout.

In the shootout Saints keeper Brian Martin was the hero as he saved penalty kicks from Darren Campbell and Ryan Stewart and with Homers hitting the crossbar with another penalty this meant that Saints ran out 3-2 winners to win the Ace Cup.

After the penalty shootout BSML League Secretary Brian Montgomery on behalf of Ace Fixings handed the Ace Cup over to winning All Saints OB Captain Colin Laffan and the celebrations began.

All Saints OB: Brian Martin, Michael McCarry, Brian Watt, Colin Laffin, Michael Maybin, Donald Crawford, Philip Lynn, Stephen Tully, Aaron Wilkinson, Gavin Burnside, Alan Telford. Substitutes: Joe Rocks, Peter McReynolds, Liam Cassley, Ryan Brady and Paul Gilchrist.

Harryville Homers: Ryan Martin, Jason McKay, Ryan Stewart, Ian Russell, Ricky Forsythe, Gary Baird, Darren Campbell, Gary Bonnes, Alan Rainey, Paul McNeill, Jason Stevenson. Substitutes: Mark McKay, Keith Wylie, Jason McGill and Ricky Faloon.

Referee: Mr Gary Crawford. Ass Referees: Mr Robert Stewart and Mr Anto Quigg.

PADDY DUNLOP CUP FINAL

St Comgalls 4, Waveney Swifts 3: St Comgalls only scraped in to the Play Offs in the last match and after beating Connor 5-1 in the Semi Finals came back from three one down to win 4-3 and lift the Ballymena Shamrocks Celtic Supporters sponsored Paddy Dunlop Cup and also gain promotion to Division Two.

Saints opened the scoring after 22 minutes when they were awarded a free kick which John McKeown sent into the box for David Masterson to flick onto Lee Rea who scored with a looping header.

This was the wake up call Swifts needed for within 3 minutes they were level when Colin Corry split the Saints defence for Gary Boyd to run clear and fire home the equaliser.

Swifts completed the recovery with a second goal just before half time when Substitute Kamil Miiechurski was on hand when Saints failed to clear their lines at a goal mouth scramble.

Swifts doubled their lead 5 minutes into the second half Paul Craig collected the ball 20 yards out and sent a low shot into the corner of the Saints net.

After this Saints took control and within 10 minutes they pulled a goal back when a Phil McKendry was not cleared by the Swifts defence and David Masterson had a simple header into the net at the back post.

The equaliser came with 15 minutes left and was a well worked move from defence when Dale Kelly played the ball to Paul McRandal who sent the ball across the face of goal for Jason Hawthorne to rifle the ball into the net.

The winner came 5 minutes later and was started by a throw in by Dale Kelly to Jason Hawthorne who sent the ball in for James McKeown to slot the ball home from close range.

After the final whistle Michael Gordon of Ballymena Shamrocks Celtic Supporters Club handed the Paddy Dunlop Cup Mark Stephens and the celebrations started and promotion to BSML Division Two

St Comgalls: Darryl Asquith, John McKeown, David Masterson, Lee Rea, Jason Ballantine, Dale Kelly, Phil McKendry, Karl Ashe, Paul McRandal, James mcKeown, Jason Hawthorne.Subs: David Ferguson, Paul Steele, Phil Craig, Jamie McAleenan and Philip Linton.

Waveney Swifts: Richard Fulton, David Francey, Brian McMullan, Geoff Tweed, Glenn Gilmour, Colin Corry, Sofian Lamiche, Jay Stevens, Paul Craig, Gareth Gordon and Gary Boyd. Subs: Kamil Miiechurski, Glenn Kelly, Andy McAlonan, Graham Reid and Peter Nixon.

Referee: Mr Derrick Stewart. Ass Referees: Mf Finlay Stewart and Mr Rodney Campbell..

RAINEY CUP SEMI-FINAL

Carniny Rangers 3, Michelin 2: Carniny Rangers raced into a three goal lead in the first half then Michelin pulled back two in the second but Carniny held on to go through to the Rainey Cup Final.

Maurice McDowell started off for Carniny on top form and was causing the Michelin defence lots of problems so it was no surprise when he set up the first goal as he collected the ball on the left shook off two tackles before sending across a inch perfect cross to the back post where the inrushing James Gracey powered a header into the back of the net.

Carniny were pressing for the second goal and got their reward when they were awarded a penalty kick for hand ball. Chris Dowie and slotted home the spot kick to make it two nil.

The tie looked all over on 28 minutes when Carniny got their third goal when Ryan Balmer played the ball down the left to Maurice McDowell who created room to send over another special cross which was headed in by Ryan Bamber and gave Carniny a three goal lead at half time.

Michelin got a major boost 9 minutes into the start of the second half when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards out which Michael McQuitty took and curled the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner of the net.

This spurred on Michelin and after some close calls got their second goal half way through the half when a shot by Stephen Sexton was blocked and the ball fell to Sammy McCullough who slotted the ball home to give Michelin hope of getting an equaliser but despite some late Michelin pressure, Carniny held on.

LEIGHINMOHR HOUSE HOTEL ALLEN CUP

This Wednesday night, weather permitting, the Leighinmohr House Hotel sponsored Allen Cup Final Division Two Play Off match takes place between Ballykeel and Cloughmills Thistle at Wakehurst.

Ballykeel must start favourites as they only lost out on automatic promotion by a few points and their strength starts with a very capable young keeper Steven Watson and in defence experienced defender barry McDowell combines well with Steven Mark. In midfield Keel have strong a hard working duo in Daniel Boyd and Justin Rowe. Up frony Barry Bonnes chips in with a large percentage of their goals along with Chris Djordani.

The man who has a big say in their chase for promotion is Jordan Kenny who after his move from Carniny has sparked Ballykeel into life.

Cloughmills Thistle have come strong at the end of the season and with experienced goal keeper Ricky Aitcheson still turning in top performances they will be hard to get past especially as he has ex Carniny Rangers centre back Derek Reid in front of him along with Jason McFadden and Barry Mott helping in defence.

The mid field is well served by Evan Forsythe and Gregory Patton. The goals have been coming from Richard Reid and Chris Blaney and they are capable scoring against any defence.

An exciting game in store with both teams hoping to win promotion to BSML Division One. Kick Off is 7pm.

LEAGUE MEETING

The next League meeting is on Monday 27th May at 8pm in Ballymena United Sports and Social Club when arrangements for payment of Annual Dinner Tickets and new Registration Forms will be available.

OTHER RESULTS

ArkMedia Division One: Randalstown Sky Blues 0, Clough Rangers 2; Ahoghill Rovers 2, FC Moylena 1; FC Penarol 0, Carniny Rangers 8.

ArkMedia Division Two: Seven Towers 3, Abbeyview 4; Randalstown 4, Braid United 1; Abbeyview 7, Holywell 1.

Leighinmohr House Hotel Division Two Play Offs: Ballykeel 1, Seven Towers 0; Cloughmills Thistle 2, FC Antrim 1.

FIXTURES

Wednesday 22nd May (7pm) - Leighinmohr House Hotel BSML Division Two Play Offs: Ballykeel v Cloughmills Thistle (Wakehurst 3).

Saturday 25th May (10.15am) - Rainey Cup Semi Final: All Saints OB v Harryville Homers (Michelin).