Premier Intermediate

PIL STARTING TO HOT UP

14 Dec 2024
football
© David Hunter Josh Lynch (left) and Kyle Flynn (centre) hit the target for Lisburn Distillery

A full round of Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League fixtures saw Warrenpoint Town, Moyola Park, Rathfriland Rangers, Dergview, Ballymacash Rangers, Knockbreda and Lisburn Distillery all record victories.

Warrenpoint Town closed the gap at the top to just two points with a narrow victory over Queen's University at Milltown.

Stuart Hutchinson hit what proved to be the only goal of the game six minutes from time after slamming the ball home from a scramble in the box.

Leaders Dollingstown had slipped to their first defeat of the campaign at the hands of Rathfriland Rangers at Planters Park on Friday night.

The visitors needed just two minutes to move in front when Brian Johnston found the net.

Ruari Fitzpatrick doubled up with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock before adding Rangers' third around 20 minutes after that.

And that was how it stayed until the 77th minute when Henry Cromack pulled one back for Dollingstown. The 21-year-old struck again with five minutes remaining to set up a nervy finish, but the home side couldn't find a late equaliser to protect their unbeaten record.

Ballymacash Rangers, in third spot, came from behind to get the better of Banbridge Town at Crystal Park.

Stephen McCavitt had fired the home side in front from the spot after just two minutes, but ‘Cash hit back just over ten minutes later when Benny Igiehon knocked home the rebound from Stuart Clarke’s initial effort.

Jordan Morrison then edged the visitors into the lead just after the half-hour mark with the second penalty of the game awarded for a foul on Dylan Sinnerton.

Igiehon then knocked in his second of the game just after the interval to make sure of the points for Rangers.

Dergview needed just one goal to claim the points from Coagh United’s visit to Darragh Park.

But they had to wait until the 92nd minute to get it when substitute Sean McDonagh glanced home a free-kick from wide on the left from six yards.

Moyola Park turned in a five-star performance to cruise past Oxford Sunnyside at Mill Meadow.

Two goals inside the opening ten minutes from Declan Martin and Leon Graham set Kenny Shiels’ side up to go on to claim the win.

Graham struck again a few minutes from the break, with Martin bagging his second just before the hour. Patrick McLaughlin then wrapped the scoring up midway through the second half.

Lisburn Distillery picked up a first win in four outings at Portstewart’s expense at Mullaghacall.

The Whites raced into an early lead through Joshua Lynch’s long range strike, but Joel Bradley hit back for the home side moments into the second half.

Jonathan Angus restored Distillery’s lead on the hour from a Lynch free-kick before, right at the end, Kyle Flynn secured the points with a curling free-kick into the bottom corner.

Meanwhile Elliot McKim bagged both goals as Knockbreda defeated Tobermore United at Breda Park.

He opened the scoring on 37 minutes with a header from Louis Blackstock’s well delivered cross, and doubled up with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining with a free-kick in off the upright.