WILSON IS PROVING HE’S HOT AS EVER..

Perennial goalscorer bags treble as Rangers go 7-up

STRIKER Ally Wilson is proving as much of a hotshot for Midulster club Banbridge Rangers as he was for Amateur League side Rathfriland Rangers.

Wilson, who tasted Irish League Premier football with Loughgall as an 18-year-old, has always had an eye for goal.

And he came up trumps again on Saturday when he bagged a hat-trick for Lee Feeney’s men in their 7-2 Intermediate Cup round one defeat of Magherafelt Sky Blues at Cheney Park. Wilson has now scored nine in five games since signing for Banbridge, although but for work commitments that figure could have been no doubt more given the regularity (250-plus in six seasons) with which he found the net during his time at Iveagh Park.

“Between family and work commitments I’m not available for every game, but those that I have played in I have really enjoyed,” said Wilson.

“That said, I’m not a fan of our 3G surface. I find striking the ball when shooting for goal not as true as when playing on grass and, although I’m only 31, I have to say I don’t feel the most mobile when I get out of bed on Sunday morning.”

Aside from Wilson’s treble, Rangers’ other goals came from Colin Cunningham, Russell Hilland, Andy Mallen and Ben Wilson.

Elsewhere, it proved to be a fruitful afternoon for Mid-ulster sides in the competition with a further seven clubs safely into the hat.

Leading the charge as far as goals scored were Tandragee Rovers who banged in eight at home to Portaferry Rovers.

Jonny Black once again did the majority of the damage with five of his side’s goals while there was a double for Cecil Corbett and one for Mark Bicker.

A Justin Bradley treble helped Hanover win 5-0 on their trip to Ardstraw while Craigavon City left Iveagh United with a 3-1 victory. Dollingstown also won on the road, overcoming a stubborn Maiden City 3-2. Twice the North-west side led only for Aaron Duke and then Andy Mcmath to peg them back before Duke won it late on.

That was the same scoreline at Holm Park where Windmill Stars got the better of Coleraine’s U20s.

And it was also 3-2 in Ballymacash Rangers’ favour when they hosted Dromore Amateurs.

Crewe United beat Laurelvale 2-0 at home but Valley Rangers, Tullyvallen, St Mary’s, Markethill Swifts, Lurgan Town and AFC Silverwood all bowed out.

This weekend eight more sides from the region aim to join those already through.

Among the highlights is Richhill AFC at home to St James Swifts, Lower Maze’s trip to Tobermore United and Bourneview hosting Crumlin Star.