Monday 20 Jan 2025

McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup | Third Round recap

The McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup is down to the last 16 following Saturday's third round ties.

The 'tie of the round' saw Ballymacash Rangers host Desertmartin at the Bluebell Stadium, with the Premier Intermediate League side running out 6-3 victors.

Benny Igiehon edged 'Cash in front with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock following a scramble from a set piece but the visitors levelled midway through the first half when Cormac Mullan found the net with a well taken finish.

Mullan struck again early in the second half to hand Desertmartin the lead only for skipper Jordan Morrison to equalise for Rangers just before the hour.

Dylan Sinnerton then fired 'Cash back in front three minutes after that with a first time effort from Guillaume Keke's flick before, on 75 minutes, Igiehon hit his second of the afternoon as the home side opened up a two-goal lead.

But, in a game of twists and turns, Mullan bagged his hat-trick with a long range strike to bring Desertmartin back into it with nine minutes remaining to set up a big finish.

However, Ballymacash went on to see the game out through substitute Adam Neale who struck twice in the closing minutes.

Three more Premier Intermediate League sides also made it through to the next round.

Warrenpoint Town, who had started the day on top of the table, hit two goals without reply past Crusaders Reserves at Milltown.

Stephen Reid opened the scoring on 35 minutes when he was quickest to react to a Matthew Lynch ball over the top before Tony Tumelty made sure seven minutes from time after running onto a Rory Powell pass to take the ball around the keeper and into the unguarded net.

Lisburn Distillery also knocked two goals at home past Killyleagh YC. Scoreless for an hour, Aaron Cochrane broke the deadlock after linking up with Mark McKee with Brendan Glackin heading home the all important second goal three minutes from time after Cochrane had flicked on a corner.

Queen's University had a comfortable afternoon as they swept past Lisburn Rangers at Stanley Park.

Andrew Clarke, following on from his league hat-trick a week earlier, fired the Students in front in the latter stages of the first half before two goals in as many minutes just before the hour from Matthew Hughes and Charlie Chapman saw Queen's take a commanding lead. Chapman then followed up with his second of the game midway through the second half.

But sides from the PIL didn't have it all their own way.

Rathfriland Rangers crashed out 4-1 away to Abbey Villa (pictured). It had all started off so well for Rathfriland after Jake Corbett had fired them in front after just three minutes, a lead they held until early stages of the second half when Adam Arthurs headed home the equaliser from a corner.

Then, just three minutes after that, Josh Barnes handed Villa the lead after connecting with a Chris Murray cross. Murray got on the scoresheet himself on 70 minutes and then went on to provide the crucial pass for Ross Arthurs to wrap the scoring up four minutes from the end.

Banbridge Town also suffered defeat at home to Kilmore Rec., with both goals for the visitors coming midway through the second half courtesy of Philip Doran and Rhys Clarke.

Holders Immaculata stormed back from two goals down to get past Willowbank at Grosvenor Rec.

Declan Gill struck for Willowbank after just eight minutes, with Richard McAvoy doubling the lead for the visitors half-an-hour after that.

'Mac hit back after the break through Brian McCaul's spot-kick, but they had to wait until the final ten minutes for back-to-back goals from Mark Sloan and Brendan Shannon to maintain their defence of the trophy.

Last season's losing finalists, Crumlin Star, are also through following a 3-0 win away to Hanover.

Matthew Devine opened the scoring on seven minutes, Stephen Smyth followed up late in the first half with Nathan Withers completing the scoring with a few minutes remaining.