Annagh United, HW Welders and Ballyclare Comrades got the New Year off on the right foot with victories in the Lough 41 Championship.

There are just a couple of points between the leading duo as Annagh swept to a four-goal win over Ballinamallard United while leaders Loughgall went down away to the Welders.

Annagh recovered from a disappointing Boxing Day defeat to sweep past the Mallards, who named former Northern Ireland keeper Roy Carroll in their starting XI.

Ruairi McDonald opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark, before goals from Stephen Murray [2] and Conor Mullen late in the game earned the points for Ciaran McGurgan’s side.

Matthew Ferguson fired the Welders in front after 12 minutes at the Blanchflower Stadium, but Ben Murdock pulled the Villagers back into the game on the stroke of half-time.

However, Jonny Frazer picked up a crucial win for Paul Kee’s struggling Welders just after the hour after beating the offside trap to fire into the corner of the net.

Meanwhile, Ballyclare Comrades had a late Owen McConville header to thank for their narrow victory over Warrenpoint Town at Milltown.