Glebe Rangers Old Boys made to work all the way against Hazelbank

Millburn and Portrush Old Boys have been in fine form of late and are also contesting at the top end of the table after wins at the weekend.

In the remaining game, Dunaghy seen off The Villagers by the odd goal in 3 in a tough encounter in Castlerock.

Hazelbank FC 1

Glebe Rangers Old Boys 2

Hazelbank entertained Glebe Rangers at the Lodge Road playing fields for the second time this season in the latest round of league matches.

With play-maker John McKendry injured Paul Gaston made a welcome return to the starting line-up for an otherwise unchanged Old Boys line-up. Steven Crawford was one of a number of changes to the Hazelbank eleven from the last time and the big stopper was to have a significant part to play in the day’s proceedings.

The Old Boys threatened in the first 15 seconds with a fast break by Elder but it was the home side who took the lead after 15 minutes when Colin Mcclarty seized on a loose ball and finished smartly past Allen.

Wilson and McClarty were proving a handful at this early stage but they were unable to add to the scoreline as Glebe began to come more into the game.

The second half saw the Old Boys create a number of chances, most of which failed through a combination of poor finishing and great keeping by Crawford. Doherty, McBride, Gaston and Alcorn all failed from less than 3 yards out whilst Crawford produced a number of great saves to deny Davy Campbell in particular.

Despite this it was Campbell, managing to stay for the second half this week, who equalised in the 59th minute. With time running out Hazelbank had a chance to snatch another, but McClarty fired wide and it was left to payer-boss Bellingham, imperious in the second half, who finally got a deserved winner for the Old Boys when he headed Campbell’s corner into the bottom of the net. Man of the Match: Ian Bellingham (Glebe Rangers Old Boys)

Finn McCools 1

Berthas FC 4

This is a tricky place to come to for any team in the league and was made even harder for the away side when Sotirov limped off injured after 10 minutes of play.

However Berthas weren’t to be deterred and took the lead after 20 minutes when Stockman hammered home a belter from 25 yards out. He nearly repeated the feat but McKendry saved his effort before he saved with his feet from Stewart after a neat five man move.

Finns were working hard off the ball without creating a lot with Berthas looking the more likely to score again, which they did after 40 minutes when Stewart headed home a Stockman corner. Finns almost pulled one back at the end of the half but Kane made the save from Craig.

The second half was similar to the first and the away side increased their lead when Cochrane slipped in Stewart and he just reached the ball in front of McKendry to poke home. They grabbed a fourth when Stewart turned provider to put Biggart in the clear and the wee man finished well at the near post.

Finns finally kicked into action and Kane was called upon twice to make saves before Ali Dobbin pulled one back when he out jumped everyone to powerfully head home Hill’s cross.

Stewart should have grabbed his hat trick but McKendry saved before Kane pulled out a top save to deny Hill when well placed. Man of the Match: Darren McGarvey (Berthas FC)

Millburn FC 4

Balnamore FC 1

Millburn entertained Balnamore at The Crescent on a fine winter’s mourning.

It was the visitors who settled quickest and they opened the scoring.

Millburn finally got into their rhythm and they equalised just before the break.

Boreland’s corner was flicked home by Cahoon at the near post to leave the score level at the break.

The hosts dominated the possession after the restart and they edged in front as captain Tosh fired in a bullet header.

Millburn were well on top now and they grabbed a third as Cahoon set up Borlenad for a tap in.

Balnamore failed to really trouble the hosts with Honeyford and Tosh marshalling things well at the back.

Nesbitt and Cahoon both missed chances to make it 4-1 before the latter raced clear only to be upended by the visiting keeper in the box.

Cahoon dusted himself down to grabbed his and his side’s fourth from the spot.

Man of the Match: Steven Tosh (Millburn FC)

Portrush Old Boys 9

Coleraine Olympic 0

This encounter proved to be a real one sided affair.

Portrush had scored after 11 minutes with Doherty converting from close range after.

A couple of injury worries for Portrush meant a reshuffle in team affairs, but two well taken Nicky Tweed goals put the home team three up by half time.

The trend continued throughout the second half with further goals by Joe Connor, Ciaran Doherty and a left footed effort from Gareth Kerr keeping Olympic under the cosh. Nicky Tweed completed his hat-trick before two late Willie Shirlow efforts, while carrying an injury completed the action. Olympic to their credit battled for the entirety but were unable to contain the Old Boys on the day. Man of the Match: Nicky Tweed / Ali Newton (Portrush Old Boys)

The Villagers 1

Dunaghy Old Boys 2

The Villagers started well in this encounter at Castlerock.

Dunaghy responded though and almost took the lead when McNeil rose highest but his header just flashed past the post.

It was end to end stuff but it was the Old Boys who took the lead when Patton’s corner was headed home by ‘Chin’ Blair on 22 minutes.

The Villagers started the second half strongly and were level on 57 minutes when a corner caused havoc in Dunaghy’s defence and Gaile swivelled and found the bottom corner.

Two minutes later Robinson really should have given the old boys the lead when from eight yards out he pulled his shot wide.

The Villagers had a couple of attacks with Blair in goal making a good save from a Shirlow header.

With time running out both teams were pressing for the winner and it was Dunaghy who got it when Quinn’s free kick found ‘Chin’ who laid it of for Laverty, whose fierce drive found the bottom corner from 15 yards to grab all three points for his side in the end. Man of the Match: Wesley Calvin (The Villagers)