Monday 06 Jan 2025

fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup fourth round recap

The fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup continued at the weekend as a dozen Fourth Round ties beat the weather with just a handful being postponed.

One of those casualties was the 'tie of the round' between Hill Street and Ardmore, which has been rescheduled for January 11th, as has the Belvoir-Enniskillen Town United and Armagh Celtic-Tummery Athletic games.

Of the 12 sides that have progressed so far, the Fermanagh & Western League lead the way with four clubs already in the Fifth Round.

NFC Kesh, currently second in Division 1, got past Foyle Harps with three unanswered goals at Michael Connolly Park.

Player-manager Ryan Campbell opened the scoring after just four minutes with a well struck free kick low into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, and the former Institute and Ballinamallard United man doubled up just before the half-hour mark after being played through by Scott Wallace to take the ball past the keeper and into the unguarded net.

Josh Flack then bagged an insurance third goal midway through the second half with a calm finish into the corner after being teed up by Jack Kerr.

Lisbellaw United joined Kesh in the last 16 with a superb 3-1 win away to FC Antrim.

Peter Armstrong edged the visitors in front in first half stoppage time with a back post header, but Antrim hit back early in the second half courtesy of an Aidan Scullion spot-kick.

However Scott Moutray restored Lisbellaw's advantage not long after that, a lead they held until added time when Armstrong popped up with his second of the afternoon.

Strathroy Harps also progressed thanks to goals from Matthew Ballard and Aaron Behan at home to Ballyoran, as did Killen Rangers with goals from Jamie Sproule and Tristan Roberts against Ardstraw.

The Coleraine & District League have three representatives in the next round, including Ballymoney based side Balnamore who travelled to the home of perennial Junior Cup challengers Harryville Homers and left victorious by two goals scored in quick succession early in the second half.

Scoreless at the break, Thomas Elder edged the visitors in front on 51 minutes with a header after Trevor Parkhill had provided the decisive cross. Then, just a couple of minutes after that, Elder struck again with a volley past the Homers keeper from an excellent ball delivered by defender Lee Kelly.

Magherafelt Sky Blues stormed past 2022/23 winners Coalisland Athletic at Spires Park (pictured). Two early goals from Patrick Feeney and Conor Rafferty set the home side up for the win, and when Feeney struck again early in the second half it was effectively game over.

Sean Corr did pull one back for Coalisland on the hour, but Daniel Heavron added a fourth for the Sky Blues right at the end while Stephen Corr grabbed a stoppage time consolation for the visitors.

Dervock also made it through after defeating Sandy Row 4-2 on the road courtesy of goals from Ryan Boyd, Rhys Ferris [2] and Gary Millen.

Three sides from the Ballymena Saturday Morning League are also in the hat for the fifth round draw.

Raceview's Scott Montgomery claimed the only hat-trick of the day as the Broughshane side swept to a 4-1 defeat of Cregagh Wanderers, second half goals from Cormac McConnell [2] and Brendan McDonnell saw All Saints OB come from a goal down at the break to win away to Beragh Swifts and Connor hit five on the road to ease past Ards Rangers II.

The only penalty shoot-out of the day could be found at Tom McPeake Park as visitors Bessbrook United defeated Crumlin United II.

Luke Delaney had edged Crumlin in front early on, but this was cancelled out after half-an-hour by Stephen Sheridan. The visitors then failed to convert from the spot a quarter-of-an-hour from the end of normal time.

Eventually going to penalties, Bessbrook keeper Peter Murphy scored twice as his side ran out 11-10 victors in a tense shoot-out that saw no fewer than 28 spot-kicks being taken before a winner was produced!

Elsewhere, St. Oliver Plunkett II accounted for Ards Reserves in Lenadoon thanks to goals from Miceal Vallely, Eoghan Hamill, Aodhan Kennedy and Connor McGucken.