SML round-up: No fairytale start for new boys
Rovers, a new addition to the league this year, went down 6-3 to Newpark Olympic in the opening round of the County Antrim Post O’Kane Cup.
And to cap a good opening weekend for Antrim sides, there were wins in the same competition for FC Antrim and FC Moylena.
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Hide AdThe league campaigns in the three divisions kick off this midweek, with Saturday designated as a free day.
O’KANE CUP, ROUND ONE
Rectory Rovers 3, Newpark Olympic 6: Newpark kicked off the campaign in the O’Kane Cup against new boys Rectory Rovers and they took only two minutes to open the scoring when Willy Davidson made it 1-0.
Newpark never put on the brakes and doubled their lead on four minutes when Jamie Nutter this time found the net.
A long day looked on the cards for Rovers but to their credit they battled back into the game and got a goal back when Paul Donegan found the net with a thunderbolt from 30 yards out.
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Hide AdSix minutes later Rovers were level when Alex Telford scored from the spot to make it 2-2. The game flowed from end to end with chances at both ends but it was Newpark who got the next goal four minutes before the break when Jamie Nutter got his second of the game to send his side in 3-2 up at the break.
The second half started with Newpark in the ascendency again and they regained their two goal cushion 10 minutes in when Jamie Nutter fired home to complete his hat trick.
Rovers again to their credit did not lie down and got back to within a goal again when Alex Telford again found the net from another spot kick.
With Rovers pushing for an equaliser Newpark were able to pick them off and they made it 5-3 on one of these attacks when they themselves were awarded a penalty kick, which was duly dispatched by Victor Gibson.
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Hide AdGibson then sealed the tie when he scored with a 25 yard free kick to round of f the scoring and send Newpark into round two where they will face Waveney Swifts.
FC Penarol 1, FC Moylena 6: Given the final scoreline, it was perhaps surprising that half-time was reached with no scoring.
The second half proved to be a more eventful period with Conor Johnston heading home the opener for Moylena from five yards from a Chris McCollum corner.
Penarol equalised with their only chance of the half through David McBride after a good run and layoff from Ricky Stewart.
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Hide AdConor Johnston added another header from a free kick also delivered by Chris McCollum as Moylena soon regained their lead.
Kevin Walsh scored after a mix up in the Penarol defence to make it 3-1 and soon after Kevin Walsh made it 4-1 with his second goal after good work down the left.
After a handball in the Penarol box, Conor Johnston stepped up to slot home for his hat trick, a great achievement for a centre back.
Jeff McNicholl added the last with great bit of individual skill which was fully deserved from his performance during the game.