The fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup kicked off on Saturday with over 60 Round 1A ties being contested across the country with the ultimate aim of reaching the decider at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park next Spring.
The 'tie of the round' pitted Belfast & District League side Cruestodians against Lower Shankill (pictured) from NAFL 2B at the Valley Leisure Centre.
Lower Shankill, in what was their first competitive outing of the season, took an early lead through Steven Burns' seventh minute opener but the home side hit back soon after when Alan Murray found the net.
Burns restored Shankill's lead four minutes after that, with Kyle Allen extending their advantage just before the half-hour mark.
Callan McCredie added a fourth early in the second half and although Jack Cousins reduced the deficit with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining a late Ross McMullan own goal put the tie beyond any doubt as Lower Shankill ran out comfortable 5-2 winners.
Holders Enniskillen Rangers kicked off their defence of the trophy with a 5-1 defeat of Immaculata II at the Ball Range.
Stuart Rainey fired Rangers in front on 21 minutes with a superb solo effort after collecting the ball on the edge of the centre circle and running through the defence before slotting home from just outside the area.
Jordan McClure doubled up soon after with a downward header from a corner before Jake Browne hit a third just before the break with a composed finish after receiving the ball in acres of space.
Ethan Morris pulled one back for the visitors just after the hour but a Joel Byrne strike from distance and a second for McClure ensured the outcome was never in question.
But it wasn't a happy return for 22/23 winners and quarter-finalists last season, Dergview Reserves, after they crashed out at the first hurdle away to Trojans YCG.
Mark Toland fired Trojans into a third minute lead, with Gearoid McDermott adding another after a quarter-of-an-hour.
TJ Begley tightened Trojans grip on the game just before the break, with further goals coming through Cathal Connolly, McDermott and Begley again in the second half.
Hill Street's Jonny Clements was top individual scorer on the day with a double hat-trick as the Lurgan side swept past Tullyally Colts, while Ryan Donaldson hit five for Hanover Reserves in their 7-3 defeat of Claudy United.
Belfast United's Aaron McKeown knocked home four goals while there were also hat-tricks for Conor Kearney and Saul Boyle (both St. Mary's Newtownabbey), Darragh Kelly (Dungiven), Josh Flack (NFC Kesh), Matthew Maguire (Tullans Red Star), Cathaoir O'Neill (Kilrea United), Dean Heasley (Hillsborough Boys), Odhran Madden (Magherafelt Sky Blues), Frank Wallace (Enniskillen Town United) and Paul McGrath (Lisbellaw United).
The competition continues this Saturday with another 61 Round 1B ties (kick-off 1:30pm). Click here for further details.
