Hazelbank in command

Hazelbank FC now look favourites after picking up six points from their last two games to put them only a point behind leaders Balnamore with four games in hand.

Berthas FC are a further two points behind Hazelbank but they also have the same number of games in hand over Balnamore.

Mountview FC’s three draws in a row gives them a mountain to climb, while Riverside Athletic and Dunaghy Old Boys are also outside bets as both teams sit just on the tails of the leaders.

It was a good week for Finn McCools as a draw with Balnamore and a win over The Taverners gave the Bushmills men four points.

The league hopes to hold the end of season 5-a-sides and the presentation on Saturday, May 22. Venues to be confirmed as soon as possible

Hazelbank FC 7, Coleraine Olympic 0

Hazelbank soon settled and a quick brace from Nigel Sheppard, the second of these he met a Ciaran Wilson Cross at the back post to volley into the top corner - gave Morton no chance in the Olympic goal.

James Diver pounced on a Cameron mistake to put Hazelbank three up and two more followed just before half time.

Sean Smith finished a great five man counter attack and Sheppard completed his hat trick when he cut inside and unleashed a pile driver into the top corner to leave it 6-0 at half time.

McClarty, Farrell and Kelly all went close before McClarty got his goal when he spun and fired into the Olympic net.

Man of the Match: Nigel Sheppard (Hazelbank FC)

Berthas FC 4, Brook Street 0

Berthas eventually took the lead when Laverty’s excellent corner found the feet of David Patterson at the back post and he volleyed home from close range.

The home side quickly got their second from the penalty spot when McKissock felled Chris Patterson and ace-marksman Andy Cochrane fired the spot kick home.

Berthas made it three after 40 minutes with a near carbon copy of the first with Chris Patterson stabbing home.

The game turned scrappy with very few chances until 30 minutes into the half when Pollock brought down Cochrane in the box. The Bertha’s striker stepped up and drove the ball into the back of the net for his 37th goal of the season.

Man of the Match: David Hoey (Berthas FC)

West Bann Athletic 2, Mountview FC 2

Martin Pancott gave West Bann the lead before Alan McClarty drew Mountview level midway through the second half.

Conor McCorriston put the home team in front and it looked like this would be the winning goal until Billy Cooke popped up in injury time to gain Mountview a point and keep their title chances alive.

Man of the Match: Peter O’Kane (West Bann Athletic)

Balnamore FC 3, Somerset FC 0

Balnamore opened the scoring when Blair brought the ball forward and played a defence splitting ball for Madison who then slid a first time ball into Simon Armstrong who bundled in from close range for a deserved lead.

The hosts’ second came when Sean Hogg broke down the left and put the ball on a plate for Simon Armstrong who headed home with ease.

Before the end Armstrong was on hand to score his hat trick with a tap in from three yards.

Man of the Match: Simon Armstrong (Balnamore)

Dunaghy Old Boys 10, Ballyrashane Coronation 4

Dunaghy made it three wins in a row with this comfortable victory over Ballyrashane.

There were hat tricks for Nathan Blair and David Murray with player manager Jason Wilmont grabbing a brace. Goalkeeper Ricki Doherty got on the score sheet from the penalty spot with an own goal also going the way of the hosts.

Ben Watt, David Freeman and a double from John Doherty replied for Ballyrashane.

Man of the Match: David Murray and Nathan Blair (Dunaghy Old Boys)

Hillview FC 0, The Villagers 4

The Villagers picked up a good three points with this dominant victory over Hillview.

Robert Bradley gave his side the lead before a Hamilton Gamble double pushed his team into a comfortable lead Man of the match Jamie Dunn grabbed his team’s fourth.

Man of the Match: Jamie Dunn (The Villagers)

The Taverners 0, Finn McCools 1

The Taverners started the better of the two sides, playing some good football and having the better chances in the half, but they just couldn’t find a way to break the deadlock.

Finn McCools’ constant pressure was rewarded when good work through midfield found the feet of Karl Rushe who powered into the box and slotting low and hard and into the net.

Man of the Match: Karl Rushe (Finn McCools)

Tuesday, April 20: Ballyrashane Coronation F.C v Somerset (Ballysally 2); F.C Macosquin v Bertha's F.C (Crescent 3); Mountview F.C v Finn McCool's (Rugby Avenue 3); Riverside Athletic v Hazelbank (Fulton Park; Villagers F.C v Dunaghy Old Boy's (Castlerock); West Bann Athletic v Hillview F.C (Rugby Avenue 1);

Thursday, April 22: Bertha's F.C v Villagers F.C (Castlerock); Finn McCool's v Coleraine Olympic (Bushmills); Hazelbank v F.C Macosquin (Rugby Avenue 1); Hillview F.C v Balnamore F.C (Crescent 3); Mountview F.C v Macosquin Village (Rugby Avenue 3); Somerset v Taverners F.C (Ballysally 2)

Saturday, April 24: Ballyrashane Coronation F.C v Villagers F.C (Ballysally 2); Balnamore F.C v Brook Street (Fulton Park); Bertha's F.C v Dunaghy Old Boy's (Castlerock); Coleraine Olympic v Hazelbank (Rugby Avenue 2; Finn McCool's v Somerset (Bushmills); Hillview F.C v Riverside Athletic (Crescent 3); Taverners F.C v Mountview F.C (Riada 2); West Bann Athletic v F.C Macosquin (Rugby Avenue 1).