Championship

WAFER THIN MARGINS IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

10 Feb 2024
football
© Paul Harvey

Just two points sit between the leading quartet following another tense weekend in the Playr-Fit Championship.

Dundela moved back to the top of the pile after a 5-1 drubbing on Dergview at Wilgar Park.

Ewan Kelly opened the scoring on his debut after just 12 minutes with a strike into the top left corner, with Charlie Dornan doubling up with a close range header a few minutes later.

Jordan Jenkins then struck in first half stoppage time, with Kelly bagging his second of the game on 53 minutes before Lee Rea added a fifth from the spot ten minutes from the time.

Bangor had led overnight after a 3-1 derby defeat of Ards. Lee Newell had fired Ards in front on 26 minutes, with Conor McDermott levelling for the Seasiders before the break.

That was how it stayed until the fifth minute of added time when Lewis Francis edged Bangor in front, with the evergreen Michael Halliday knocking home a third moments later!

In the Saturday evening derby at the BMG Arena Portadown came from two goals down to share the spoils with Annagh United.

Two goals midway through the first half, a Nathan Kerr penalty and Paul Finnegan’s header, fired Ciaran McGurgan’s side into a commanding lead.

The Ports reduced the deficit through Ryan Mayse early in the second half, but that was how it stayed until the second minute of added time when Zach Barr popped up with a header at the back post.

Meanwhile, at Ferney Park, Ballinamallard United and Institute ground out a scoreless draw.