SML round-up: Homers hit top spot as weather hits hard

Ahoghill Thistle have held top spot for much of the season, building up a huge lead but as Homers gradually begin to clear their domestic fixture backlog, they have now whittled that deficit down and are now a point clear at the top.

They thrashed Carnlough Swifts 7-1 in one of just four games which went ahead as the wet weather conditions once again took their tool on the fixture schedule.

BALLYMENA MORTGAGES DIVISION ONE

Harryville Homers 7, Carnlough Swifts 1: The champions took the opportunity to knock Ahoghill Thistle off top spot in the league after putting a magnificent seven past a robust Carnlough Swifts side at Wakehurst.

Jasin Magill set the ball rolling when the big striker applied the finishing touch to Alan Rainey’s assist whose dogged persistence reaped their rewards.

Darren Campbell put the home side further in front after 25 minutes when the free scoring midfielder ghosted into the box to finish off Jason Logan’s cross.

Number three came courtesy of an own goal. Alan Rainey proved to be the Seasiders main tormentor in chief all day as he skipped past the full back once again to see his low centre sliced into the net by the visitors defender.

Alan Rainey continued to give the Carnlough defence a torrid time after the interval. The winger claimed another assist as Jason Logan scored Homers’ fourth of the game when he showed his poise and composure before picking his spot at the near post.

Carnlough reduced their arrears when Jordan McAuley latched onto a through ball before sliding the ball past the advancing keeper.

After ths Homers took the initiative once again when substitute David Nicholl latched onto a Ryan Stewart slide rule pass and with virtually his first touch of the ball he squared for the on rushing Gary Bonnes to score number five.

Paul McNeill made it half a dozen with a trademark goal for the speedy striker as he raced past the visitors defence before side footing into the bottom right hand corner.

David Nicholl became the Harryville side’s sixth different scorer on the day when he lost his marker in the box to flick in Mark McKay’s left sided corner.

The big question now will be whetehr any team can stop Homers collecting back to back league titles?

RAINEY CUP, ROUND ONE

Holywell 1, FC Moylena 3: This Antrim Derby was between second Division Holywell and first Division FC Moylena and after a tight match Moylena came through thanks to the performance of Neil Stevenson who was the player of the match.

This game was played in very testing conditions for both sides but it did not deter them from trying to keep the ball on the ground. Moylena were knocking on the door on a few occasions but found Holywell keeper Seamus Melly on top form.

The breakthrough came for Moylena when Neil Stevenson was brought down and they were awarded a penalty.

Neil Stevenson took the spot kick but Holywell keeper Seamus Melly blocked his shot unfortunately the ball fell to Conor Johnston who slotted home the rebound.

Holywell snatched the equaliser shortly afterwards when Micheal Agnew was put clear by Joe McKernan and he side footed the ball past Moylena keeper William Parker.

Both teams had chances to take the lead but it was Moylena who got their second goal when a Neil Stevenson corner kick somehow fell to unmarked Stefan Getty at the back post who tap home and send Moylena 2-1 up at half time.

Moylena killed the game in the 2nd half with their third goal. This was a wonderful goal starting with a pass from defence to Neil Stevenson who squared the ball to Calum Lindsay on the right who returned the ball to Neil Stevenson for him to get a shot away but Seamus Melly pulled off another brilliant save but the ball fell to Neil Stevenson and he rounded the Holywell keeper before scoring and send Moylena into the Rainey Cup 2nd Round when they will be at home to Carnlough Swifts.

Cushendall 0, Lisnafillan Swifts 4

This was Swifts’ home game but with the Showgrounds rained off for the second week, the match was switched to the Cliff, Larne, second division Cushendall’s home 3G Pitch and it turned out a comfortable 4-0 win for the third division side in the end in very blustery conditions.

Lisnafillan were playing against a strong wind in a keenly contested first half. Twenty minutes into the game Lisnafillan broke down the left wing through Stevie Smyth who played it into Paddy Doherty who applied the finish.

Cushendall were restricted to a few long range efforts but good handing from Conor McGiligan in the Swifts goal ensured the half finished 1-0 to Swifts.

Cushendall started the second half brightly and were pushing for an equaliser but 10 minutes into the second half Aaron Smiley broke from midfield and played a through ball to Paddy Doherty with another neat finish to get his second of the game.

The match was over as a contest with 20 minutes left when Aaron Smiley scored a screamer from 35 yards out with his dipping shot just under the crossbar with the Cushendall keeper Sean O’Boyle well beaten.

Niall McFadden scored the final goal of the match placing the ball into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box after good work down the left wing from Damian Casey and Paddy Doherty.

Lisnafillan Swifts are now home to Randalstown Sky Blues in the second round.

Round two result: Templepatrick 0, Ahoghill Thistle 3.

FIXTURES

Saturday, February 8 - Coca Cola Junior Cup, round five (1.30pm): Carniny Rangers v Beann Mhadaghain (Wakehurst 1); Harryville Homers v Erne Rovers (Wakehurst 2).

Ballymena Mortgages Division One (10.15am): Abbeyview v Ballykeel (Forum); Ahoghill Rovers v Ahoghill Thistle (Ahoghill); All Saints OB v FC Penarol (Showgrounds 5); Carnlough Swifts v Randalstown Sky Blues; FC Moylena v Clough Rangers (Forum); Michelin v Shore Wanderers.

George McAuley Cup, round one: North End Shamrocks v Raceview (Dunfane 1); Riverdale v Cushendall (Wakehurst 3); St Comgalls v FC Antrim; Randalstown v Holywell; Seven Towers v Connor FC (Showgrounds 4).

Ballymena Mortgages Division Two: Waveney Swifts v Cloughmills (Waveney 2).

Sammy Moore Cup, second round, second leg: Cullybackey Olympic [2] v Glenravel [3] (Tober Park).

Ballymena Mortgages Division Three: Atletico Antrim v Lisnafillan Swifts (Forum); FC Bayern Money v Newpark Olympic; Galgorm Blues v Woodside (Galgorm); Templepatrick v Steadfast (Forum).