Winning debut for Mountjoy
MOUNTJOY UNITED .........................3
CHURCHILL UNITED..........................0
A SUPERFIT Mountjoy, typified by excellent central midfielder, Robbie McGrew, put an experimental Churchill to the sword in this entertaining League Cup Group B clash at rainswept Lisnagirr Road on Saturday.
McGrew, who only started after a 2pm fitness test, ran the show in midfield and such was the quality and closing-down commitment all over the pitch that David Gilfillan had only one genuine save to make, and that came three minutes from time when he kept out Peter Blake's back-post header from Kevin McLaughlin's corner with his legs.
From the keeper's raking clearance the indefatigable McGrew exploded through the middle and was unceremoniously chopped down on the edge of the box by substitute, Sean Kelpie who was red-carded for his trouble.
Moments later David Rennie sealed the win, taking down a headed pass from Colin Adams and firing a fierce 25-yard strike low inside Emmett Deeney's right-hand upright.
It was no more than the former Fermanagh and Western outfit deserved as they bossed most of the first half but had only David Matthews's 13th-minute hit to show for it.
The striker strode purposely onto to a ball which broke kindly following a clash between Atilla Bute and visiting central midfielder, David Scanlon and gleefully steered the ball beyond Deeney's left hand.
On 53 minutes McGrew released Gibson and he exquisitely picked out Rennie who took just one touch before driving the ball behind a hapless Deeney for the second.
A raft of substitutions followed and it was not until the 71st minute that there was another goalmouth incident, Churchill substitute, Richard Smallwoods turning Nelson's free kick into Ryan Devine who shot inches past Gilfillan's left-hand upright.
Disallowed goal denies 'Straw men
DRAPERSTOWN CELTIC.......................1
ARDSTRAW.......................................0
WITH a number of regulars missing Ardstraw made a creditable debut against the defending Northern Ireland Intermediate League champions and were denied a share of the spoils when the referee disallowed an Ian Hill goal in the second half for offside.
Gary Fair had surged clear on the left and rather than going for goal himself crossed for Hill, who expertly finished only for the match official to intervene.
It was rough justice on a Vaughan's Holm outfit that had given a good account of themselves throughout although tangible goalscoring opportunities were at a premium at both ends.
The decisive goal arrived on 25 minutes. Ardstraw's midfield failed to track back and a Celtic forward arrived at the back post to nod in the winner.
The disallowed goal apart, Ardstraw created two other half chances. Hill thundered an angled drive into the side netting while the striker in attempting to meet a Ross Clarke delivery only succeeding in taking the ball of the head of Fair who was bettered positioned.
Intermediate IB
Mitchell hat-trick helps United to magnificent seven
OMAGH UNITED.................................................7
CAMLOUGH ROVERS..........................................0
OMAGH United hit a magnificent seven with striker Benny Mitchell grabbing a sparkling hat-trick against Camlough Rovers at Athletic Park on Saturday.
Deadball expert Adrian McCaffrey opened the scoring with a rasping free kick before Mitchell stole the show with his stunning three-hit including two well-placed headers following excellent wing play.
The visiting Rovers simply had no answer to United's attacking flair as former Ballinamallard United player Tony Quinn bagged a brilliant brace before midfielder Steven Cunningham completed of the rout.
This was a much improved display by Roy McCreadie's men who now look forward to Saturday's Marshall Cup clash before the eagerly-awaited Bob Radcliffe Cup tie against IFA Championship side Coagh United in two weeks time.
United's second string also enjoyed a successful debut in the Mid Ulster League with a 6-1 success away to Scarva Rangers. Paul O'Neill opened the scoring with a great header following a pinpoint cross from John McGlynn. This was quickly followed up by a well taken Damien McGale header before Justin Sweeney scored an absolute screamer from the edge of the box to give United a 3-1 advantage going into the break. The second half carried on in similar fashion as Paul McCabe made it four with a coolly taken penalty before Niall Devine provided the highlight of the game with a 30-yard free kick which gave the keeper no chance.
Damien McGale made it six in the dying minutes.
Intermediate 1A
Two late goals sink Town
FIVEMILETOWN UNITED........................................1
DOLLINGSTOWN...................................................3
FIVEMILETOWN United slumped to a disappointing defeat to Dollingstown in this Mid Ulster Intermediate League IA match at the Valley Stadium on Saturday.
After a non-discript first quarter, a mix-up in the Town rearguard allowed the visitors to take the lead with a simple tap-in much to the annoyance of the home support.
The rest of the half seen both teams probing without making any real inroads in the final third of the pitch.
Twelve mins into the second half Jason Elliott fired the game into life by latching on to a Chris Mc Dowell flick-on to slide the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.
That should have given Town the momentum to dominate the final half hour but instead with 15 minutes remaining a speculative shot was deflected to leave Jamie Callaghan wrong-footed in the home goal. Any chance of salvaging a point was dashed right at the death when a Dollingstown forward headed home at the back post.
