STREET ON THE MARCH IN CUP

BOURNEVIEW MILL are aiming to convert a run of mid-table finishes into the league title this season.

Things have been steadily improving at Pepperton Park in recent years.

Since suffering relegation into Intermediate B in 2011/12, the Mill have generally been around the middle reaches of the league – bar a struggling 11th place in 2014/15.

Last season they finished sixth in a very competitive league, albeit a fair distance behind eventual champions Richhill AFC.

They won 11 of their 26 league outings last term, slipping up in games where they would have been expected to emerge victorious.

But with Richhill and AFC Silverwood – who finished 16 points clear of the pack – both now in the top flight and no Newry City AFC, Moneyslane or Windmill Stars to compete with it’s a far more even affair in the second tier.

And the ambitious Portadown side’s manager Mark Jackson wants the Intermediate B top spot come May.

And he believes they are one of a handful of sides who could deliver that ambition.

Jackson (right) told Match on Tuesday: “We’re very confident this season.

“The league is wide open this year and we definitely want to be among those fighting for the title.

“Last season Richhill were the best team in the division and we beat them home and away.

“That was the case against a lot of the bigger teams. We just let ourselves down in the other games.

“That is something we definitely have looked to address coming into this season.

“Every game we play is going to be difficult and hotly contested.

“Everyone is probably the same as us in that they fancy their chances of pushing for promotion.

“If we can get everyone back, we’ll definitely be confident of being right up there.”

He added: “We got a couple of good signings in over the summer and shifted things around a bit.

“We’ve also recently got Colin Corkin in from Seagoe, which is an excellent addition.

“He has great energy and he’s a born winner so that attitude has been great to have around the club. Willie [Mckinstry] has made a big difference in goals – he’s gelled with everyone already and is a terrific organiser.”

With just one defeat from their opening five league games, this season has started well for Bourneview.

After putting four past Seapatrick at the start of the month, they went into Saturday’s

Bob Radcliffe tie at home to Rathfriland

Rangers in confident fashion.

And even after conceding with just seconds on the clock, they knocked the ball about with some panache at

Pepperton Park.

But despite

Just the 22 goals served up in the Division Two game at Keady Celtic on Saturday. The hosts didn’t have it all their own way, conceding six against Derryhirk United. So just as well they had got on the scoresheet 16 times themselves. With two wins...