Championship

TOO TIGHT TO CALL

24 Feb 2024
football

It remains too tight to call at the top following the latest round of action in the Playr-Fit Championship.

Dundela still lead the way but their gap at the top was cut to just two points following an uncharacteristic four-goal reversal away to Annagh United on Friday night.

Kris Calvert fired Annagh in front on 20 minutes with a low finish past Lewis Hunter.

Callum Ferris doubled the home advantage on the hour, with James Convie adding another soon after before Darragh Stewart rounded the scoring off in the latter stages of the game.

Second placed Bangor were also in action on Friday evening, and cruised to 4-0 win over Ballyclare Comrades at Clandeboye Park, taking the lead on 37 minutes after Scott McArthur fired home from close range after getting on the end of a long throw into the box.
Ben Cushnie made it 2-0 early in the second half when he ran onto a McArthur pass to finish beyond Breen.

McArthur then added a third on 68 minutes with a simple tap in at the back post from a parried Adam Neale effort before, in stoppage time, Ben Arthurs slotted home from a corner.

And the action continued on Saturday with victories for HW Welders, Portadown, Institute and Dergview.

The Ports are third on goal difference after their 2-1 win over Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park.

Callum Moorehead clinically fired the Mallards in front after just six minutes but Jamie Browne bagged the equaliser not long before the break with a low drive into the bottom corner, with Douglas Wilson knocking home the winner for the Ports midway through the second half.

Institute are just behind the Ports after picking up a first win in four league outings at Newington’s expense at the Brandywell.

Michael Harris struck on 20 minutes to hand ‘Stute the lead, and that was how it stayed until Mikhail Kennedy made sure in the dying moments of the game.

HW Welders needed just one goal to get the better of Ards at Clandeboye Park, with what proved to be the winner coming just after the hour when Michael McLellan converted from the spot.

Meanwhile, in the bottom of the table clash at Breda Park, Dergview defeated Knockbreda by the odd goal in three.

‘Breda held the lead at the break thanks to Caleb Crawford’s 43rd minute finish, but Padraig Lynch levelled for the visitors just after the hour before hitting the winner six minutes from time.