Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE WINNERS TAKE IT ALL ON DAY OF DRAWS
LEAGUE ROUND-UP
ARDS and Annagh United moved into the Championship promotion playoffs spots over the weekend as they were the only sides to win on a matchday dominated by draws.
Ards had taken just one point from their previous five matches having led the early standings but got back to winning ways on Saturday with a comprehensive three-goal victory at struggling Institute.
Stute are now winless in nine matches and nervously looking over their shoulders in the table after TJ Murray, David Mcallister and Salou
Jallow were all on target for John
Bailie’s side at the
Brandywell.
Annagh United are in third, behind
Ards on goal difference only, with a comprehensive 4-1 victory at home to Knockbreda their fourth win on the spin.
Ryan Harpur, Stephen
Murray, Craig Taylor and Ruairi Mcdonald were all on target for Ciaran Mcgurgan’s side.
Newry City remain five points clear at the top despite being held to a 2-2 draw by an improving Dundela side at Wilgar Park.
James Teelan gave Newry the lead in the Friday night encounter but Guillaume Keke and Johnny Taylor both netted in quick succession as the Duns turned the game on its head inside the opening 15 minutes.
Darren King levelled things up for the league leaders early in the second half with the spoils shared between the teams – meaning the Duns are now unbeaten in three.
Niall Currie’s side remains two points ahead of basement team Queen’s, but the Students continued to show signs of progress as they too made it three games unbeaten with a scoreless draw at Dergview – who have now lost just one of their last seven league outings.
The game of the weekend was played out at Lakeview Park as promotion hopefuls Loughgall and Ballinamallard played out a six-goal thriller. Nedas Maciulaitis (circled) gave the hosts the lead but an equaliser from Ben Mccann ensured the score was level at the break.
Maciulaitis restored Loughgall’s lead before Jamie Rea added a third, but the Mallards fought back admirably with John
Edgar and Ryan Morris both finding the net.
The two sides remain locked on 31 points in fourth and fifth respectively, with Loughgall losing just one of their last six while the Mallards have been defeated just once in five.
H&W Welders occupy the final top six spot ahead of Ballyclare, but the Comrades did come from two goals down to rescue a point at the Blanchflower Stadium.
Goals from Alan Mcmurty and Josh Boyd had appeared to put the East Belfast side well on course to three points but Liam Hassin and Matty Herron rescued a point for the visitors.