Top two in the league secure their place in last four of Knockout Shield

The remaining tie between Portrush Old Boys and Millburn was unfortunately abandoned in the second half after a serious injury to a Portrush OB players, it will now go to the committee for a decision regarding timing of when the game was abandoned. In league action, FC Windyhall picked up the points in their tie with Coleraine Olympic. Finn McCools 3 Glebe Rangers Old Boys 5 Finns entertained Glebe Old Boys for the second time this season in this cup quarter-final and the Old Boys triumphed after a spirited challenge from a youthful home side. With DJ McBride and Jason Wilmont unavailable Mervyn Greer and Rodney Doherty returned to the starting eleven for Glebe whilst Finns started along familiar lines. Glebe took the lead after nine minutes when Campbell’s cross-cum-shot deceived David McKendry and ended up in the net. Despite retaining the majority of possession the Old Boys were unable to add to the scoreline and it was Finns who equalised when Parke seized on a loose ball and fired home. Just before half-time Glebe regained the lead after a fine flowing move culminated with John McKendry, showing the benefits of three games in a row, lashing home. Not to be outdone Finns equalised again with a fine solo goal from the impressive Parke who finished with aplomb after a strong run from just inside the opposition half. The pendulum then swung in the Old Boys favour when Bellingham made it 3-2 from the spot after Greer had been impeded and then Stephen Elder, sporting a particularly expensive pair of cycling shorts aimed at reducing his persistent hamstring injuries, scored with his first touch immediately after coming on. Another sub, Les Nicholl, made it 5-2 in the 72nd minute with a neat finish. Finns continued to battle and were rewarded with a bizarre Allen own goal after what can only be described as Keystone Cops defending to make the final score 5-3 to the Old Boys. Man of the Match: John McKendry (Glebe Rangers Old Boys) The Villagers 3 Berthas FC 4 Berthas were one up in this game within 30 seconds of kick off when Hoey found Fallis whose delicate flicked sent Stewart clean through and he did the rest scoring past Finlay. There wasn’t much in the game after the early goal with The Villagers battlings well without creating many clear cut chances, Damien Gaile stinging the hands of Kane from distance their best chance. Berthas further increased their lead when Stockman flicked home McGarvey’s cross for his second goal in as many matches. The Villagers then had to replace goalkeeper Finlay who picked up a knock with McFarlane stepping in between the sticks. The second half was similar with Berthas looking comfortable until a mistake by Kane gave Danton the easy task of tapping into an empty net. This really lifted them and they equalised moments later when the unfortunately Wallace headed a cross past his own keeper for an own goal. Berthas hit straight back when Stewart sauntered past Robinson only for McFarlane to make the block, however Davy Campbell arrived on cue to stroke the ball into the net. They grabbed their second when Stewart raced onto Fallis’ flick on, rounded the keeper to be brought down however the referee played the advantage with Fallis running the ball into the empty goal. The Villagers weren’t to be beaten easily and pulled one back from the spot through Shirlow with Wallace receiving a red card for handball in the box. The Villagers went on to dominate the last 20 minutes with Kane making a few top saves to keep his side in the lead. Berthas hung on though to advance to the quarter finals. Man of the Match: Bobby Dysart (Berthas FC) Ballyrashane FC 1 Balnamore FC 3 Balnamore progressed to the semi finals of the knockout competition with a comfortable win against a tricky Ballyrashane side. In-form striker Lee Kelly opened the scoring mid way through the first half when his initial cross crept beyond the keeper and into the top corner to give the visitors the lead. Conditions were difficult given the heavy rain and both sides found it hard to find any fluency in passing. However Balnamore soon doubled their lead when David McDowell found space in the box after good work from Kelly to fire beyond the stranded keeper. Ballyrashane hit back almost immediately, Jack Gray latched on to a long ball from the back ,beat the defender to bring the home side back into the game.. The second half was a scrappy affair as both sides struggled to impose any Consistency, but Balnamore killed the game off when Lee Kelly found the net with a delightful free kick. Man of the Match: David McDowell (Balnamore) FC Windyhall 3 Coleraine Olympic 0 It was a tight first half in this game but the home team finally made the breakthrough 41 minutes in through a goal from Trevor Hutchinson. They further increased their lead in the second half when Gary Nicholl converted. They sealed the points late on when Neil Ferguson converted a penalty. Man of the Match: Christopher McLaughlin (FC Windyhall) Fixtures for saturday 22 November Ballyrashane v Finn McCool’s (Rugby Avenue 4); Balnamore v Villagers (Fulton Park); Bertha’s v Portrush Old Boys (Castlerock); Coleraine Olympic v Millburn (Crescent 3); Dunaghy Old Boys v FC Windyhall (Dunaghy); West Bann Athletic v Glebe Rangers Old Boys (Rugby Avenue 1). Golden Boot William Stewart (Bertha’s) 26 Lee Kelly (Balnamore) 16 Colin McClarty (Hazelbank) 15 Lee Nevin (West Bann Athletic) 14 Leslie Nicholl (Glebe Rangers Old Boys) 13