Strollers’ Canada Trophy hopes brought to premature end

Wakehurst Strollers’ hopes of a lengthy run in the Ballymena & Provincial League’s Canada Trophy came to an abrupt halt at the weekend.
Wakehurst Strollers and Whiteabbey players battle for possession in Saturday's Canada Trophy tie.Wakehurst Strollers and Whiteabbey players battle for possession in Saturday's Canada Trophy tie.
Wakehurst Strollers and Whiteabbey players battle for possession in Saturday's Canada Trophy tie.

Jason Connolly’s side bowsed out of the competition after losing 5-3 to Whiteabbey at a rain-lashed Showgrounds on Saturday.

There was also cup disappointment for CHimney Corner, whose recent slump continued as they were beaten 5-0 by Magherafelt Sky Blues in the McReynolds Cup.

After the inclement weather on Friday, there were fears of a possible wipeout of fixtures but an iprovement overnight saw 16 games played across the league’s various divisions.

Wakehurst Strollers and Whiteabbey players struggle to cope with the slippery conditions at the Showgrounds.Wakehurst Strollers and Whiteabbey players struggle to cope with the slippery conditions at the Showgrounds.
Wakehurst Strollers and Whiteabbey players struggle to cope with the slippery conditions at the Showgrounds.

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION

Results: Dunloy 3, Ballynure Old Boys 1; Killymoon Rangers 2, Desertmartin 1.

CRAWFORD CUP

Round two result: Cookstown RBL 2, Rathcoole FC 5.

MCREYNOLDS CUP

Round one result: Magherafelt Sky Blues 5, Chimney Corner 0.

JUNIOR DIVISION ONE

Results: Newington YC II 3, Mallusk Athletic 1; Woodlands 3, Carnmoney FC 3.

JUNIOR DIVISION TWO

Results: Mountainview 1, Brantwood Reserves 4; Ballyclare North End 2, Moyola Park Olympic 1.

JUNIOR DIVISION THREE

Results: KCC Athletic 6, Carnlough Swifts 0; Whitehead Rangers 1, 3rd Ballyclare Old Boys 6; 1st Carrickfergus OB 0, Castle Star 2.

CANADA TROPHY

Wakehurst Strollers 3, FC Whiteabbey 5: Whiteabbey were early on the attack taking the lead after Conor Mullen scored on the 2nd minute.

Strollers replied to this with a brace of goals scored by Peter Adams going in leading by a goal at half-time.

Mark McCullough equalised for Whiteabbey early in the second half then two more goals scored by Ryan O’Neil and Mark McCullough saw Whiteabbey go two goals clear. Roy Colville pulled a goal back for the Strollers before Conor Mullen scored his second goal for Whiteabbey to seal the win.

GEORGE BEST EXHIBITION

Fans attending Chimney Corner’s home Intermediate Cup game against East Belfast this Saturday are in for a footballing treat in the form of a special commemorative exhibition about the legendary George Best.

The display, which includes newspaper cuttingsand other archive material, has been painstakingly collated over many years by long-serving Chimney Corner stalwart John Robinson.

It will be on display in the Allen Park clubrooms from 1-5.30pm.

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