A soccer review of selected matches across the district
Ballynahinch Olympic 3 Dundonald 1.
Amateur League Division 1B
Ballynahinch Olympic made it four wins on the trot as they continued to revive their season with a home victory over high-flying Dundonald.
Olympic’s Nathan Jones and Dundonald’s David Long traded goals in the early exchanges, but it was the home side who led at the break, regaining an advantage thanks to captain Jason Noade.
The hosts knew they were going to need an extra goal for security and although it did not arrive until the 91st minute, Jones made it a double for himself and sealed all three points.
Carryduff Colts 6 St Teresa’s 1
Amateur League Division 2B
Carryduff Colts returned to winning ways in style when they hit St Teresa’s for six at the Lough Moss Centre.
Tiernan McCullough and Jack Moore’s goals had the two sides level at the end of a fairly even first half, however, the second period could not have been more contrasting.
The Colts’ Rory Timoney and Lorcan Swail ran the Teresa’s defence ragged from start to finish after the change of ends, netting a brace and a hat-trick respectively.
Clarence Mayes Cup Round One.
Kilmore Rec 2 Dromara Village 1
Realta naCromoige 2 Saintfield United 1
Clarence Mayes Cup Round 1
Saintfield United fell at the first hurdle in the Clarence Mayes Cup, losing out to lower-league opponents Realta naCromoige.
There was very little to split the sides in the first half and while they looked certain to enter the break locked together at 0-0, a Ben Roper own goal gifted the hosts a narrow lead on the stroke of half-time.
Ryan Sofley appeared to have forced extra-time when he levelled 10 minutes from time, but United were dealt a cruel blow, conceding with virtually the last kick of the game.
Killyleagh YC 13 Clonduff 1
Clarence Mayes Cup Round 1
Killyleagh YC made light work of lower-league opponents Clonduff as they stormed into the second round of the Clarence Mayes Cup.
The goals came thick and fast, with Cameron Howard (4), Kodi Carson (2) and Nathan Leckey firing Killyleagh home and dry by half-time, while Jordan Robinson managed a consolation for Clonduff.
The Whites showed no mercy in the second half either, as Gary Morrison came off the bench to net a hat-trick and Conor Hamilton, Sam Kirk and Toby Carinduff joined in on the act.
Castlewellan Town 3 Barn United 0
Clarence Mayes Cup Round 1
Castlewellan Town continued their strong season with a comfortable victory over Barn United, sailing through to the second round of the Clarence Mayes Cup.
The Town only needed two minutes to get off the mark, with Matthew Stratton opening the scoring and setting the tone for the afternoon, and while they had to be patient to increase their advantage, there was only ever one winner.
Ruairi Croskery doubled the hosts’ lead in the 72nd minute, before Caolan Teer followed up, just three minutes later, putting the tie to bed.
Newhill 4 Newcastle 2
Clarence Mayes Cup Round 1
Newcastle were left stunned when underdogs Newhill sprung a surprise to knock them out of the Clarence Mayes Cup in the opening round.
The hosts got the majority of their work done in the early stages, establishing a three-goal lead by the 23rd minute, courtesy of Caolan McAvoy and a Leo Donaghy double.
They made it four just nine minutes into the second half and although Leigh Moore and Jonathan Scannell pulled two back for Newcastle, the damage was already done.
22nd Old Boys 2 Celtic Bhoys 4
ToalsBet.com Junior Shield
Celtic Bhoys advanced to the last 16 of the Junior Shield with a hard-fought, extra-time victory over 22nd Old Boys.
The Hoops found themselves trailing after just 11 minutes and despite Shaun Megahey’s equaliser and an OB red card appearing to give them the upper hand, the hosts regained the lead through Tyler McKee.
Caoimhin Groves forced extra-time with a 75th-minute equaliser, and it was one-way traffic from there, with Cameron O’Donnell and Sean McMahon firing Celtic through.
Newcastle Town Swifts 1 Castlewellan Forest 2
McCalls Newcastle League Premier Division
Castlewellan Forest kept themselves ticking over with a derby victory over Newcastle Town Swifts as they prepare for the Bobby Dalzell Cup final on Boxing Day.
Shane Kearney opened Castlewellan’s account in the 21st minute, while Sean Fitzsimmons strengthened their claim shortly after the interval.
The Swifts fought back in the second half, eventually reducing the deficit with 15 minutes remaining, yet Forest had enough left in the tank to get over the line.
Strangford 1 Ardglass 4
McCalls Newcastle League Premier Division
Reigning champions Ardglass piled pressure on league leaders Killough when they cruised to a convincing win against last season’s foes, Strangford.
Although goals from Ardglass’ Caolan O’Shea and Strangford’s Luc Tolan had the teams level approaching half-time, Dara O’Shea was on hand to give the visitors the edge in the 44th minute.
The home side remained in with a chance of causing an upset as the clock began to wind down, but Jamie McDarby and Dara O’Shea had other ideas, each netting in the final 10 minutes.
Rossglass County 1 Downpatrick 3
McCalls Newcastle League Premier Division
Downpatrick came from behind to beat Rossglass County and move to within six points of the league leaders, with two games in hand.
Christopher Hamilton’s finish was enough for Rossglass to take a slim lead into the break, however, just eight minutes after the change of ends, a Barry Mageean own goal brought Downpatrick level.
Tony Carson launched the visitors in front for the first time, after 62 minutes, before Barry Treacy put the contest to bed five minutes from time.
