Another entertaining weekend of Championship action saw plenty of goals, late drama and some significant results at both ends of the table.
Newington remain top after another impressive victory, while Queen’s University and Annagh United continued their strong starts. There was also a six-goal thriller at Lakeview Park as Loughgall and Warrenpoint Town shared the points.
Ards 0-3 Queen’s University
Queen’s University continued their impressive start to the season with a convincing 3-0 victory away to Ards on Friday night.
The Students took control towards the end of the first half as Ambrose Ajala opened the scoring before Daniel Dillon converted from the penalty spot to give the visitors a comfortable lead at the break. Michael Withers then added a third shortly after the restart to put the result beyond doubt.
It was an excellent response from Queen’s after a mixed opening few weeks, and they are beginning to show that they can be a difficult side for anyone in the Championship. Ards, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have suffered back-to-back defeats after such a promising start to the campaign.
Glenavon 3-1 Rathfriland Rangers
Glenavon made it four games unbeaten as they secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Rathfriland Rangers at Mourneview Park.
Paddy Burns opened the scoring before Ryan Waide doubled the advantage from the penalty spot just before half-time. Brandon Doyle added a third after the break, with Rathfriland’s late consolation through Reece Doyle doing little to change the outcome.
It was another solid result for Michael O’Connor’s side, who have responded well to their opening-day defeat and are beginning to build some momentum. For Rathfriland, however, the wait for their first points of the season goes on and they will be desperate to change that sooner rather than later.
H&W Welders 2-0 Dundela
H&W Welders claimed the bragging rights in the East Belfast derby with a deserved 2-0 victory over Dundela at the Blanchflower Stadium.
After a goalless first half, the Welders stepped things up after the break. Danny Mhondiwa opened the scoring after excellent work from Jack Reilly before Calvin McCurry produced a superb finish to double the advantage just minutes later.
The Welders continue to put together a solid start to the season and will be delighted with another clean sheet and three points. Dundela’s struggles continue, though, with the Duns still searching for their first victory and needing to find a way to turn competitive performances into results.
Loughgall 3-3 Warrenpoint Town
Loughgall and Warrenpoint Town played out one of the games of the weekend as six goals and plenty of drama ended with the sides sharing the points at Lakeview Park.
Warrenpoint took the lead before Ben Murdock equalised for Loughgall shortly before the break. The Villagers then went ahead through Darragh Stewart, only for Declan Loye to level almost immediately. Warrenpoint looked to have won it when Aaron Prendergast put them back in front late on.
But Loughgall refused to give in, with Murdock grabbing his second of the afternoon just two minutes later to rescue a point. Both sides will feel they could have won it, but it was another reminder of the attacking quality and entertainment that the Championship can provide.
Moyola Park 1-0 Armagh City
Moyola Park left it late to secure a valuable 1-0 victory over Armagh City at Mill Meadow.
With the game appearing to be heading towards a goalless draw, substitute Kenny Kane produced the decisive moment in the 89th minute. His delivery from the left sailed over goalkeeper Conner Byrne and went in off the far post to spark celebrations for the home side.
It is a big three points for Moyola and gives them something to build on after a mixed start to the season. Armagh will be frustrated to have come so close to a point, particularly after showing signs of improvement in recent weeks.
Strabane Athletic 1-2 Newington
League leaders Newington showed exactly why they are setting the early pace in the Championship as they came from behind to beat Strabane Athletic despite playing the entire second half with ten men.
Simon McGlynn gave Strabane the lead before Paul Donnelly equalised from the penalty spot shortly before half-time. Donnelly was then sent off just minutes later, leaving the Swans with a huge task after the break.
But Newington showed plenty of character, with Aaron Heaney scoring the winner eight minutes into the second half. They held on to claim another huge three points and continue their remarkable start to the season. Playing with ten men and still finding a way to win is the kind of result that will only increase the belief around Declan O’Hara’s side.
Ballinamallard United 1-3 Annagh United (Saturday)
Annagh United continued their excellent run of form with a 3-1 victory over Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park on Saturday.
Kris Calvert gave Annagh the lead before Ballinamallard were handed a fortunate route back into the game through an own goal. The visitors regained control in the second half, though, as Henry Cromack produced an excellent finish before adding a late penalty to seal the points.
Annagh are building some serious momentum and have now put together an impressive run of victories across league and cup competition. They will be full of confidence heading into the weeks ahead, while Ballinamallard’s inconsistent start to the season continues.
Institute 1-3 Newry City (Saturday)
Newry City bounced back from last week’s disappointing defeat to Warrenpoint Town with an important 3-1 victory away to Institute.
Ryan Swan was the star of the show, scoring twice to give the visitors control of the contest. Institute pulled a goal back in the closing stages and briefly threatened a comeback, but Caolan Marron’s header from a corner quickly restored Newry’s two-goal advantage.
It was exactly the response Stuart King would have wanted after last weekend’s derby defeat. Newry will hope the result can provide a platform to kick on, while Institute are left searching for answers after another difficult result.
