Another busy weekend in the Championship saw several sides strengthen their early promotion credentials, while the battle at the bottom is already beginning to take shape.
Newington and Ards continued their unbeaten starts, with both now sitting on seven points from their opening three games. Glenavon also maintained their perfect record since their opening-day defeat, while H&W Welders picked up a late win.
At the other end, Rathfriland Rangers remain without a point.
Dundela 2-2 Annagh United
Dundela’s remarkable run of 2-2 draws continued as they shared the points with Annagh United for the third consecutive game. Benny Igiehon put the hosts ahead after 11 minutes before Eoin Teggart levelled from the penalty spot.
Charlie Dornan restored Dundela’s advantage shortly before half-time, but Jordan Gibson equalised for Annagh early in the second half. A heated contest produced seven yellow cards across the players and staff, as well as a red card for a member of Dundela’s coaching staff.
Annagh moved onto four points, while Dundela have three.
Glenavon 4-1 Strabane Athletic
Glenavon continued their impressive response to their opening-day defeat with another convincing victory. Ethan Devine opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Peter Campbell doubled the advantage.
Sean McCallion pulled one back for Strabane before half-time, but Ryan Waide restored Glenavon’s two-goal lead in the second half before Brandon Doyle completed the scoring.
The Lurgan Blues have now scored eight goals and collected six points from their last two games.
H&W Welders 1-0 Armagh City
H&W Welders left it late to secure all three points against Armagh City. After a goalless encounter for almost the entire 90 minutes, substitute Jack McCosh found the breakthrough in the closing moments.
The result moved the Welders up to fourth place on six points, while Armagh remain on just one point from their opening three matches.
Institute 0-0 Loughgall
Institute and Loughgall played out a goalless draw at the Brandywell in a closely contested encounter.
Neither side was able to find the breakthrough, although Loughgall threatened early in the second half. Conor Kerr’s late red card was the main talking point as the visitors saw out the final stages with 10 men.
Loughgall remain unbeaten after three games.
Moyola Park 2-0 Ballinamallard United
Moyola Park secured their first Championship victory of the season with a 2-0 win over Ballinamallard United.
David Parkhouse opened the scoring early in the second half, reacting quickest after his initial effort was saved. The forward then turned provider late on, setting up Luca Doherty to secure the points with five minutes remaining.
Moyola now have four points from their first three matches.
Newington 2-1 Queen’s University
Newington continued their excellent start to the season with a 2-1 victory over Queen’s University. Paul Donnelly opened the scoring midway through the first half before Seamus Duffy doubled the advantage just before the break.
Mikey Withers pulled one back for the Students with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Newington held on to move onto seven points from a possible nine.
Warrenpoint Town 1-3 Ards
Ards continued their unbeaten start with a comeback victory at Warrenpoint Town. Jamie Browne put the visitors ahead after 20 minutes before Adetobi Jinadu levelled for Warrenpoint with 12 minutes remaining.
Ards responded immediately, with Fiontan O’Boyle restoring their advantage before Browne completed his excellent afternoon with a late third.
John Bailie’s side now sit joint-top with seven points from their opening three games.
Rathfriland Rangers 1-2 Newry City
Newry City bounced back from Tuesday’s heavy defeat to Glenavon with an important victory at Rathfriland Rangers.
Keith Dalton gave Stuart King’s side the lead from the penalty spot before doubling the advantage in first-half stoppage time. Brian Johnston pulled one back for Rathfriland with three minutes remaining, but Newry held on for a valuable three points.
Rathfriland remain without a point after their first three Championship matches.
