Monday 30 Oct 2023

Harry Cavan Youth Cup | Second Round recap

Coleraine U18 stormed through to the next stage of the Harry Cavan Youth Cup at the expense of Crumlin Star U18 at Rugby Avenue.

The second round 'tie of the round' saw the young Bannsiders race into an early lead through Ciaran O'Hara after just five minutes - which turned out to be one of four goals the 17-year-old was to grab in a dominant first half performance from Martin Smith's side.

Daniel Smyth doubled their lead after a quarter-of-an-hour with Jack Elliott adding a third moments later. O'Hara then struck again not long after that before bagging his hat-trick goal on 37 minutes, and if that wasn't enough, he then found the net again right at the end of the first half.

The shell shocked visitors were reduced to ten men early in the second half but, to their credit, held the Bannsiders off until further goals from Connor Armstrong, Smyth and Jake Martin later in the game.

Karter Bond and Matthew Archer both hit hat-tricks for Crusaders as they swept Newry City aside at Seaview. Bond took just 19 minutes at the start of the game to claim his while Archer came off the bench at the break to make his mark. Bernard Nsiah also got on the scoresheet with a couple, while Ben Harrison and Eoin Conlon also found the net.

Holders Ballinamallard United edged past Limavady United by the odd goal in three at Ferney Park.

Shane Speak opened the scoring for the Mallards midway through the first half, but Jake Marshall levelled for the Roesiders 15 minutes later. However, Kealan Fitzpatrick popped up with what proved to be the winner just before the break.

Cliftonville Strollers, runners-up last season, also hit three first half goals as they got past Loughgall at Lakeview Park.

Oilibhear McCart needed just a minute to get off the mark before doubling up on 23 minutes, with Kevin McGuinness hitting number three just after the half-hour mark.

Ballymena United twice came from behind to defeat Linfield Rangers at Midgley Park.

Kenzie Beattie handed the Blues an eight minute lead with Logan McWilliams levelling for United around half-an-hour later before Beattie restored home advantage late in the first half.

However, McWilliams equalised again not long after the break, with Jay Torrens edging the visitors in front midway through the second half ahead of McWilliams' third four minutes from time.

And there were also hat-tricks for Annagh United's Darren Doherty and Caydan McLaughlin of Maiden City as they helped their sides to victory over Ards Reserves and Hillsborough Boys respectively.