WEEKEND REPORTS W/E 07/05/22

BALLYMENA and PROVINCIAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

MATCH REPORTS

Week-Ending 7th May 2022

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The First Cup Final of the season was played on Friday Evening at Allen Park Antrim.

This saw Killymoon Rangers v Greencastle Rovers in opposition with the result being settled on penalty kicks.

Appeals against decision of the League Committee

Two appeals had been lodged with the IFA against decisions taken by the League Committee:

1. Appeal by Desertmartin FC

2. Appeal by Belfast Celtic FC

Both teams had been charged with playing an Ineligible Player in games under the authority of the League.

The Committee ruled that both teams would forfeit all cup and league game 3-0 in games where the players had participated

Both teams lodged Appeals to the IFA appeals board that the League Committee had acted wrongly.

The Appeals were heard on Wednesday Evening:

Desertmartin Appeal was decided on written Submissions from the League and Club.

The Appeal board while having sympathy with the Club upheld the League decision and Dismissed the Appeal thus Desertmartin lost their place in the three Knock-out Cup Competitions.

Belfast Celtic appeal was held via Zoom Meeting.

After hearing from the Clubs legal representative and the League Officials the decision by the board was to Dismiss the Appeal thus Belfast Celtic will forfeit all games played in competition by a 3-0 score line.

This cost Belfast Celtic dearly as they now lose the Intermediate League Championship and the right to compete in a Round Robin play off with the winners of the Mid-Ulster and Northern Amateur Leagues for a place in the NIFL Premier Intermediate league.

It is to be noted both Desertmartin and Belfast Celtic can take their case to Arbitration if they so wish.

Linda Welshman Memorial Cup Final

Date. Friday 13th May 2022

Venue. Allen Park. Antrim. (Chimney Corner ground)

Kick off 7.00pm

Game will be played to a finish with two-by-ten minutes extra-time and penalties if required.

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INTERMEDIATE

BALLYNURE OB 0 - 1 BRANTWOOD

This as an evenly contested game throughout and at the end it was a goal scored by Ben Stevenson that gave al three points to Brantwood.

Referee Mr Paul Berry

BALLYNURE OB 0 - 3 COOKSTOWN YOUTH

The Youth went in front after Lee Glasgow scored on the 28th minute and this score remained at half-time. The Youth went two goals clear after Adam Watson scored on the 54th minute then sealed the win after Jack Turkington scored on the 72nd minute.

Referee Mr Jimmy Johnstone

BALLYMONEY UNITED 0 - 2 St JAMES SWIFTS

Both teams knew they had a chance to win the division at the start of the game depending on the situation regarding Belfast Celtic. St James got off to a great start taking the lead after Sean Donnelly scored on the sixth minute thus Ballymoney had to chase the game. A few good chances came after this then Ciaran Hyland scored for St James on the 55thminute which sealed the win. The only blackmark was both teams had a man sent off on the 87th minute after they took the law into their own hands.

Referee Mr Darren Hylands

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JUNIOR DIVISIONS

LEAGUE

TWO

BELFAST ATHLETIC 2 - 1 RATHCOOLE RESERVES

The Athletic had the title won on goal difference but the three points for a win sealed the issue for them. The Athletic went in front after Niall Begley scored from the penalty spot on the 45th minute and at this time the visitors had a man sent off. Rathcoole got back level after Stephen Coppen scored on the 72nd minute then the Athletic got a second goal when Clarence Njanina scored the winner on the 76thminute.

Referee Mr Colin Rainey

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CANADA TROPHY

FINAL

KILLYMOON RANGERS 0 - 0 GREENCASTLE ROVERS

In front an exceptionally good crowd of spectators this was a cracking game throughout the ninety minutes with both keepers Michael Brown for Killymoon and Steven Rea for the Rovers have outstanding games with a number of top class saves. Due to their exploits no goals were scored after ninety minutes and with the darkness looming it had been decided to go straight to penalty kicks.

The Penalties taken were top class with both teams converting four each before Steven Rea saved the Killymoon fifth penalty. This left Paul McAdorey the task to convert the final kick for the Rovers. Keeper Brown made a valiant effort to save but the ball ended in the net giving the Rovers the win.

At the end, the League chairperson Mr Ian Shiels presented the Trophy to the winning captain Jordan O’Kane.

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