SML round-up: Waveney's Junior Shield adventure at an end

Swifts have enjoyed their break from their struggles near the foot of the firmus energy Saturday Morning League second division but their adventure finally ended when they lost their delayed fourth round tie 4-1 to Ballyvea.

RAINEY CUP, ROUND TWO

Clough Rangers 1 Harryville Homers 2: Homers kept up their quest for seven trophies this season as they saw off a spirited Clough side.

In blustery conditions the holders took the lead after twenty minutes through David McWhirter. The winger picked the ball up in midfield before unleashing and unstoppable right foot drive past Nicky Young.

Clough dug in after this setback and got just rewards before the break when they drew level. Robbie Sutherland was on hand to guide home a David Gage flick from a Colin Byers free kick.

The Harryville team eventually regained the lead when the inform Dick Reid lashed a left foot free kick into the top corner, again leaving Clough keeper Nicky Young no chance.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION ONE

All Saints OB 12, Riverdale 0: Saints played their first game on their home pitch since November and it only took them 10 minutes to open the scoring when the in form Ryan Gregg played a reverse pass to Peter McReynolds and he poked the ball home from close range.

Two minutes later Ryan Gregg was again the architect as he slipped in Liam Cassley and he made no mistake in smashing the ball past Gregg Knowles.

The pressure from Saints was relentless and Gavin Burnside got in on the scoring on 15 minutes when he brilliantly chipped in number three from 20 yards.

It was soon 4-0 when Barry Hamill broke down the left and drove the ball across the box for the in rushing Ryan Wilkinson to score. A great move 10 minutes before the half saw Saints make it 5-0. Peter Reynolds intercepted a Riverdale clearance and played a great ball into Liam Cassley who squared to Gavin Burnside to slot home his second.

Saints hit a further two goals before the break, the first coming when Noel Crossey brilliantly picked out Ryan Wilkinson on the right who stepped inside before picking out Ryan Gregg who took a touch before coolly placing in the corner. Liam Cassley then got his second to make it 7-0 before the break when he finished off after being played in by Barry Hamill.

Saints kept their foot on the gas at the start of the second half and with 25 minutes to go they did make it 8-0 when substitute Joe Scullion broke clear and unselfishly squared to fellow substitute Aaron Wilkinson to fire home his first of the game.

Wilkinson doubled his tally and made it 9-0 soon after when he pounced on a loose ball in the box to smash home. Saints hit double figures for the third time this season when Aaron Wilkinson slipped the ball to Stephen Sexton in the box to score and then two minutes later Aaron Wilkinson completed his hat trick when he scored from 18 yards out after good work from Ryan Gregg. With two minutes to go Saints rounded off the scoring when Chris Wilkinson took a quick free kick from 20 yards out.

Carniny Rangers 9, Abbeyview 0: Abbeyview inflicted Carniny’s only league defeat of the season back in August but Robert Young’s side avenged that result in style.

Robbie Perkins started the ball rolling after nine minutes when he scored from a couple of yards out after Jonny Norwood spilled Frazer Young’s free kick.

Shane Donnelly then netted on 18 minutes after his fine flashing header from Frazer Young’s cross beat Norwood. Donnelly scored again a minute later when his 20 yard shot crept inside the keeper’s left hand post.

Ryan Balmer then made it four on 36 minutes with a neat right foot finish from eight yards before Shane Donnelly completed a first half hat trick 2 minutes later.

The onslaught continued in the second half as Alan Norton stepped out from defence and his drive into the top corner from 25 yards gave the keeper no chance.

The seventh came ten minutes after when Ricky Culbertson touched in Lee McCaughern’s goalbound effort. Robbie Perkins got his second of the day on 68 minutes when his back post header found the net. The 17 year old striker then completed his hat trick on 84 minutes.

FIRMUS ENERGY DIVISION TWO

Sporting Ballymoney 2, Ahoghill Rovers 4: Sporting went in front on five minutes when Mark Hayes drove forward and played in strike partner Shane Crutchley who curled the ball home from just inside the box.

Rovers hit back 10 minutes later when Phil Cromie’s touch fell to Alan Jones and his shot was deflected past Alan Ferguson in the home side’s goal.

Rovers took the lead on 26 minutes when a David Murray corner was met by the head of Lee Megaw and his header smashed off the crossbar but he stooped to head home the rebound.

Sporting drew level on 54 minutes. Stuart Herron dispossessed a Rovers defender and he brilliantly curled the ball home from the edge of the box.

With 20 minutes to go Rovers got themselves back in front when left back Chris Rock brilliantly fired past Alan Ferguson.

Rovers sealed the victory with nine minutes to go when Ryan Cameron cut in from the left and placed the ball beyond Ferguson.

OTHER RESULTS

Rainey Cup, round two: Steadfast 0, Ahoghill Thistle 14; Carniny Amateurs & Youth 1, Raceview 4; Newpark Olympic 6, Ballykeel 3.

Division One: Riverdale 2, Harryville Homers 9 (Tuesday).

Division Two: Cushendall 0, Cloughmills 4; Woodside 0, FC Penarol 2; Holywell 1, Seven Towers 5.

CGRSC Sammy Moore Cup 1st Round 1st Leg: Braid United 3, Wakehurst Star 0

Division Three: Atletico Antrim 2, St Comgalls 2; Cullybackey Olympic 0, Southside Rangers 1.

FIXTURES

Saturday, February 27 - IFA Junior Cup sixth round (1.30pm): Harryville Homers v Cumann Spoirt An Phobail (Wakehurst 2); Killen Rangers v Carniny Rangers.

Rainey Cup 1st Round (10.15am): Cushendall v Waveney Swifts (Cargan).

Rainey Cup 2nd Round: FC Penarol v Abbeyview (Connor); Northend & District v Glenravel (Waveney 1); Seven Towers v Ahoghill Rovers (Showgrounds 4).

Division One: Ahoghill Thistle v Newpark Olympic (Ahoghill); Ballykeel v Clough Rangers (Ballykeel); Raceview v All Saints OB (Broughshane); Riverdale v FC Moylena (Wakehurst 1).

Division Two: Holywell v Randalstown (Forum); Cloughmills v Michelin; Sporting Ballymoney v Carnlough Swifts.

Division Three: St Comgalls v Rubys Rovers; Steadfast v Braid United (Galgorm); Templepatrick v Carniny Amateurs & Youth (Forum); Wakehurst Star v Atletico Antrim (Waveney 2).