Another busy weekend in the Championship produced plenty of drama, with Newington continuing their excellent start, Loughgall handing Ards their first defeat and Warrenpoint Town claiming local derby bragging rights.
Newry City 0-3 Warrenpoint Town (Friday)
Warrenpoint Town claimed local derby bragging rights with an impressive 3-0 victory over Newry City at the Showgrounds.
Adam Carroll opened the scoring shortly after the half-hour mark before Michael Leddy doubled the advantage just four minutes into the second half. Rory Powell then completed the scoring from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining.
Annagh United 2-0 Moyola Park
Annagh United moved onto seven points with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Moyola Park.
Craig Taylor broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half with a powerful finish before Henry Cromack sealed the points six minutes from time.
Moyola had a chance to level from the spot, but David Parkhouse was denied by an excellent save from Martin Marron.
Ards 1-2 Loughgall
Loughgall handed Ards their first defeat of the season with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Clandeboye Park.
Kirk McLaughlin headed the visitors ahead before Jamie Browne equalised from the penalty spot. Harry Norton restored Loughgall’s lead in the second half, before the visitors were reduced to nine men following red cards for McLaughlin and Scott McCann. Ards couldn’t find a way back.
Armagh City 2-2 Glenavon
Armagh City produced a dramatic late comeback to earn a point against Glenavon.
Paddy Burns headed Glenavon in front before TJ Molloy-Murray levelled with a spectacular effort from around 35 yards.
Ryan Waide restored the visitors’ lead from the penalty spot, but Molloy-Murray struck again in the second minute of stoppage time to rescue a point.
Ballinamallard United 2-1 Dundela
Ballinamallard United came from behind to beat Dundela at Ferney Park.
Ewan Kelly put the visitors ahead after 33 minutes, but Callum Moorehead equalised just two minutes later. Moorehead completed the turnaround on the hour, with Dundela’s afternoon getting worse late on as Oisin Barr and Charlie Dornan were both sent off.
Newington 4-0 Rathfriland Rangers
Newington continued their superb start to the Championship season with a dominant 4-0 victory over Rathfriland Rangers at Solitude.
Aaron Heaney netted twice and Seamus Duffy netted once to put the ‘Ton three up at the break.
Jay Donnelly added a fourth late on as Newington moved onto 10 points from their opening four games, while Rathfriland remain without a point.
Queen’s University 4-1 Institute
Queen’s University produced an excellent second-half performance to beat Institute 4-1 at the Blanchflower Stadium.
Daniel Dillon scored twice after Ronan Young had put the Students ahead, with Padraig Lynch equalising from the penalty spot before half-time. Institute were reduced to 10 men when Evan Tweed was dismissed early in the second half, and Queen’s took full advantage as Jamie Glover and Matthew Hughes added further goals.
Strabane Athletic 1-2 H&W Welders
The Welders left it late to claim all three points against Strabane Athletic at the Limavady Showgrounds.
Jack Reilly put the visitors ahead after 17 minutes before Simon McGlynn brought Strabane level shortly before the hour mark. Both sides pushed for a winner, but it was the Welders who found it, Malachy Smith striking three minutes from time to secure a valuable away victory.
