Plenty of action in this week’s local football round-up

Carnbane League

Division 1

McCabe at the double for Ashgrove

Ashgrove Rovers 2

Lisdrum Youth 0

Ashgrove's JP McCabe was the man of the moment on Saturday, as his two goals propelled his side to victory over Lisdrum.

The first came from a penalty midway through the first half, before he found the net again on 56 minutes.

Bailey is the hat trick hero for Church Street

Cartwheel United 0

Church Street 3

Church Street’s impressive start to the new season continued on Saturday, as they had things all their own way in a 3-0 win away to Carthweel, which takes their record to five wins and a draw in six matches.

Sean Bailey was in inspired form, and he finished with a hat trick, with goals coming in the first minute, on 37 minutes and on 50 minutes.

Orchard’s good form continues

Orchard United 1

Mayobridge 0

Orchard United made it three wins on the trot with a hard-fought win over Mayobridge.

Dillon Smyth’s goal on 50 minutes was all that was needed to see them secure the three points.

IFA Junior Cup

Round 1 Round-up

Seven Carnbane League teams were in IFA Junior Cup action at the weekend, with five of them making it through to the next round.

Villa Rovers’ league form has been poor, but they will hope that a 7-1 thrashing of St Matthew’s II can be a catalyst to turn their season around.

Newry Celtic had a similar margin of victory, as they saw off Roe Rovers with ease, in a 6-1 trouncing.

Cleary Celtic recently claimed the MUFA Gerald Kennedy Cup and their spirits will stay high, with a 4-1 win away to Ravenhill YM.

Greenfield Park have been flying in the Carnbane League Premier Division, and their good fortune continued, as they won 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw against Dervock.

Two Carnbane League sides were involved in 4-3 thrillers with mixed results, as Ballybot United came out on the right side of the result against Richhil Reserves, whilst Archview United lost out on the same scoreline against Glenshane Athletic.

Finally, Ballyholland forfeited their tie against Trojans YCG, and consequently received a 2-0 loss.

​Bessbrook United win away from home once again

​Mid Ulster

Division 2

Tollymore United 1

Bessbrook United 5

Bessbrook United maintained their away record and impressive start to the season as they travelled to the foot of Slieve Donnard in Newcastle to take on Tollymore United.

Bessbrook kicked off the proceedings in a blistering heat, andwithin the first minute they set the tempo with an early high press which created chances for Stephen Sheridan and Lee Fallon, but they both were unable to convert.

Gareth Hughes put Bessbrook ahead with a finish just yards from the goal, as a Bessbrook corner found him unmarked and he tapped it in to put the model villagers in front.

Just three minutes after the opening goal, Bessbrook continued to control the game and scored as Stephen Matthews' pinpoint cross found Lee Fallon in the box and headed home to make it 2-0.

Just before half-time it was Fallon's time to shine again as he took on an effort from distance which left the keeper with no chance of saving to make it 3-0 at the break.

A few changes at half-time saw the arrival of new signing Ruairi O'Brien in midfield, the youngster came in and maintained the tempo from the first half alongside the hardworking Caolan Flanagan.

It was O'Brien who would put Bessbrook 4-0 up as he took down a high ball on the edge of the area confused the defender with lovely footwork and slotted the ball into the corner of the net for his debut goal.

Flanagan made it five with a contender for goal of the day as he went on a mazing run though midfield to the corner of the box, with Tollymore United’s keeper rushing out he chipped the ball over him into the far corner.

Keegan Grant is worthy of a mention as he stepped into nets to cover for the absent Peter Murphy, Grant showed no fear through the game as he commanded his area well.

Tollymore grabbed a dubious goal back as a cross came into the box and was bundled towards the goal Grant had scrambled over looked to have saved it off the line only for the Referee to give the goal dispute Grant’s protests.