Clockwork Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 If they keep their nerve they must be strong favourites for automatic promotion.Yep the chasing pack of Ballinamallard, Annagh United & Loughgall all seemingly too inconsistent to mount a serious challenge talking points from each other. Newry are undoubtedly the best side in the division, would be a huge shock if they weren’t playing in the top tier next season. Held their nerve last week and confidently beat the Ducks. John McGovern’s a cracking prospect and Danny Hughes a real handful. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 12 minutes ago, Clockwork said: Yep the chasing pack of Ballinamallard, Annagh United & Loughgall all seemingly too inconsistent to mount a serious challenge talking points from each other. Newry are undoubtedly the best side in the division, would be a huge shock if they weren’t playing in the top tier next season. Held their nerve last week and confidently beat the Ducks. John McGovern’s a cracking prospect and Danny Hughes a real handful. I can remember Coleraine beating Newry (Town, as they were then), 8-0 when Coleraine were in the first division after the Irish League introduced two divisions. Coleraine were great that season and particularly so in that match. To their credit, Newry kept on trying that day, and didn't try to kick Coleraine off the park. That must be the guts of 30 years ago. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 I can remember Coleraine beating Newry (Town, as they were then), 8-0 when Coleraine were in the first division after the Irish League introduced two divisions. Coleraine were great that season and particularly so in that match. To their credit, Newry kept on trying that day, and didn't try to kick Coleraine off the park. That must be the guts of 30 years ago.Thirty years eh!? (1992) makes you feel old, but it somehow doesn’t seem two ticks ago. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) 12 hours ago, Jacksgranda said: Ballymena v Cliftonville report - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60174365 Today Linfield travel to the Coleraine Showgrounds. Can't see past a Blues win, tbh, Coleraine have gone right off the boil. Hope I'm wrong, mind you! 3-0, yippee! Glentoran entertain Warrenpoint Town. Must be a home win here, although the Glens have dropped some silly points this season. 1-0, tight enough, Glens go top The Swifts are at home to Carrick in another 6 pointer. Anything could happen here. 3-2 to the Swifts, must be edging towards safety, Carrick will be hoping for a Larne win And in the late kick off Larne host Portadown, who are badly in need of points. Home win, but again the Ports could cause a surprise. Crusaders v Glenavon is the other match. Home win. 0-1, hope nobody had the mortgage on these predictions... Thus ends Mystic Granda's predictions Today's reports - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60184239 Edited January 29, 2022 by Jacksgranda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Today's reports - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60184239Disappointing that Carrick couldn’t hold out at Swifts after twice coming from behind, but looks like Larne are going to ease past Portadown in the late kick off. In the Championship this afternoon, Loughgall were the only side of the chasing pack that managed to follow Newry’s win on Friday night. The Armagh side certainly didn’t have it all their own way but stepped on the gas late on to secure a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Knockbreda. Annagh Utd were held at home in a goalless draw with Dergview, whilst Ballinamallard allowed Ballyclare to come back twice in a pulsating 2-2 draw. At the bottom, Institute’s desperate run continued away at Welders despite going in front, losing 2-1 in East Belfast. Basement side Queens Uni continued to improve with a 2-1 win at home to an Ards side reduced to nine men in the closing minutes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted January 30, 2022 Author Share Posted January 30, 2022 Healy says he got it wrong - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60178140 Ballymena v Cliftonville goals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60178140 Glentoran top, courtesy of their own win over Warrenpoint and Coleraine's 3-0 demolition of the Blues, P 25 Pts 55, second Linfield P 25 Pts 53, third Cliftonville P 25 Pts 49. Then a 4 point gap to fourth placed Larne, P 25 Pts 44, fifth Crusaders P 24 Pts 42, and back in the top half after being temporarily usurped by Ballymena on Friday night, Coleraine P 24 Pts 37 Bottom half: Ballymena P 25 Pts 35, eighth Glenavon P 24 Pts 32, ninth and starting to look reasonably safe Dungannon Swifts P 25 Pts 25, tenth Carrick Rangers P 25 Pts 23, eleventh Portadown P 25 Pts 13 and twelfth Warrenpoint Town P 24 Pts 8. The latter two are beginning to look doomed. All bubbling along nicely at the top, though! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 Stephen Baxter of Crusaders is suspended for 6 games after his red card against Glentoran https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60203317 Seems a bit harsh, although 4 of them are suspended 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 (edited) Is Larne v Linfield in the cup on TV the night? Half time Larne 1 Linfield 0. Maybe not much free flowing football on display, but you can't afford to take your eyes off this for a minute, and even then you're missing the off the ball incidents! Larne worth their lead, particularly as I felt they should have had a penalty just before they scored. Full time Larne 2 Linfield 0. Bonis with a double, the second one was a bit of a gift, intercepted a pass back, waltzed past the keeper and hit it home from a tight angle. Edited February 4, 2022 by Jacksgranda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 5, 2022 Author Share Posted February 5, 2022 Here's Larne's goals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/60265650 Newry also through to the next round, having beaten Ards last night - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60267940 Glentoran can't take anything for granted away to Queen's but surely Queen's won't secure a "Big Two" Irish Cup double? Crusaders travel to Ballinamallard, another potential banana skin there, but you'd think Crues will get through with enough to spare. Ballymena entertain Portstewart, home win. Carrick at home to Cliftonville. The Reds will be favourites, but Carrick could pull off a shock. Coleraine v Portadown. The Bannsiders should win, but... And finally Dungannon against Annagh. Again, the Premier League side are favourites, but it depends which Swifts side turns up on the day. A lot of potential for upsets there, so it will all probably go to form! One game in the top flight, Glenavon host Warrenpoint, who desperately need a win. Can't see it, but again, Glenavon have little to play for, bar an outside chance of making the top 6. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 6, 2022 Author Share Posted February 6, 2022 (edited) Yesterday's cup games all went to form, a bit disappointing really! Queen's 0 Glentoran 4 Carrick Rangers 0 Cliftonville 1 Coleraine 2 Portadown 0 Dungannon Swifts 4 Annagh United 1 Ballymena v Porstewart postponed, waterlogged pitch. I thought Ballymena had that sorted? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60272654 In the league, 2-2 at Mourneview, not much use to either side, but especially Warrenpoint. Cup reports - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60268528 Cup goals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/60203986 Quarter Final draw: Glentoran v Newry City Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts Cliftonville v Coleraine Ballymena/Portstewart v Larne Edited February 6, 2022 by Jacksgranda Sleppnig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 8 hours ago, Jacksgranda said: Yesterday's cup games all went to form, a bit disappointing really! Queen's 0 Glentoran 4 Carrick Rangers 0 Cliftonville 1 Coleraine 2 Portadown 0 Dungannon Swifts 4 Annagh United 1 Ballymena v Porstewart postponed, waterlogged pitch. I thought Ballymena had that sorted? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60272654 In the league, 2-2 at Mourneview, not much use to either side, but especially Warrenpoint. Cup reports - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60268528 Cup goals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/60203986 Quarter Final draw: Glentoran v Newry City Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts Cliftonville v Coleraine Ballymena/Portsewart v Larne Carrick edged out in a tight game, horrendous wether conditions at Loughview. Unsurprising that the game was called off at Ballymena, the pitch was in a terrible state even before the recent downpour. Don’t think those involved were overly impressed with the ground staff’s efforts even within the club itself. The Portstewart game still to look forward to though I guess, think the visitors will definitely up for it! Glentoran Vs Newry City looks an interesting one in the quarter final. Another interesting week to look forward to, see that Matt Tipton has taken the Ards job after his recent departure from Portadown? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 Tuesday night's action means Linfield are back on top on goal difference. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60310244 The top two meet tonight at the Oval. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 (edited) 0-0 at half time. Game needs a goal, but the weather isn't helping. Full time Glentoran 1 Linfield 0. There was more goalmouth action in the first 5 minutes of the second half than there was in the entire first half. Glentoran deserved to edge it, although Linfield almost equalised in a frantic finish. Glentoran go 3 points clear at the top. Edited February 11, 2022 by Jacksgranda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 12, 2022 Author Share Posted February 12, 2022 (edited) Glens v Blues report - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60356032 Highlights - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/60356512 If Cliftonville win the day they'll only be a point behind Linfield. It would just be like the thing for Coleraine to win this one and lose the cup match and the league cup final. Edited February 12, 2022 by Jacksgranda 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 0-0 at half time. Game needs a goal, but the weather isn't helping. Full time Glentoran 1 Linfield 0. There was more goalmouth action in the first 5 minutes of the second half than there was in the entire first half. Glentoran deserved to edge it, although Linfield almost equalised in a frantic finish. Glentoran go 3 points clear at the top.Aye, disappointing first half given the build up, perhaps both sides a little too cautious. Much better second half and agree, think the Glens just about deserved their win, what a save by McCarey right at the death though. In the Championship, leaders Newry City march on with a confident 2-0 away win at Dergview, goals from John McGovern (34) & Phil Donnelly (84). In the other Friday night game, in form H&W Welders moved up into 2nd spot with a 2-1 home win over fading Ballyclare. Gary Lavery hitting the first on 28 minutes, then a lovely finish for the second, from No9 Jonny Frazer (61). The Comrades pulled one back in the high winds from a Jason Johnston header on 71 to make things interesting. Welders comfortably closing out though to jump four places in the table. Interested to see if Queens University, who looked a lost cause just a few weeks ago and relegation certainties, can continue a fine run of form visiting fellow strugglers Dundela at Wilgar Park this afternoon? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60360267 Cliftonville, Crusaders, Ballymena, Glenavon and Warrenpoint all win. 1st Glentoran P 27 Pts 59, 2nd Linfield P 27 Pts 56, 3rd Cliftonville P 27 Pts 55, ten point gap to 4th Crusaders P 25 Pts 45, 5th Larne P 27 Pts 44, four points to 6th Coleraine P26 Pts 40 Bottom half: 7th Ballymena United P 27 Pts 38, 8th Glenavon P 26 Pts 36, eleven points to 9th Dungannon Swifts P 27 Pts 25, 10th Carrick Rangers P 27 Pts 23, 11th Portadown P 27 Pts 14 and still bottom, despite yesterday's win, Warrenpoint Town P 26 Pts 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 Just four games in the Championship yesterday....Whilst Newry (PL 27 Pts 56) steam ahead at the top, looking clear favourites for the automatic promotion spot, the race for the play off place couldn’t be tighter with 4 sides within a point of each other. Loughgall (PL 27 Pts 48) moved back into second with a 3-2 away win in an entertaining encounter at the Brandywell, Institute twice coming from behind. In a pulsating second half, Midfielder Ian Parkhill cancelled Caolan McAleer’s opener from the Penalty spot, Caolan McLaughlin drew Stute level again, after Ned Maciulatis had put the Armagh side back in front. Ally Teggart snatching the winner on 82 minutes... phew!! Ballinamallard sit third (on goal difference only), after a reasonably comfortable win over Ards at Ferney Park. Pat Ferry with the opener for the Ducks just before half time, Sean McEvoy extending their lead with 15 minutes left but with a number of missed chances to consider before the away side managed a last gasp consolation just before the full time whistle. Annagh United sit fourth (again on goal difference only) after a convincing 3-0 away win at Knockbreda. Stevie Murray slotted home the first just before the break, then Aaron Hughes volleyed the second on 62 from a ‘launched’ Craig Taylor throw in. Dale Malone sealing the win with a sublime free kick with 20 minutes remaining. (H&W Welders are now back in 5th spot on 47 points but very much in touch after their 4th win in 5 games on Friday night over Ballyclare).At the other end of the table Queens Uni were looking to extend a surprise 3 game winning streak and the possibility of a miraculous escape come May, with a short trip across the City to neighbours Dundela, themselves searching for points at the wrong end of the league. The home side held their nerve in a tense affair. Big Niall Currie’s men settled the nerves early on 11 minutes with Eamon Fyfe poking home from a goal mouth scramble. The Duns had to wait until the turn of the last half hour before Spencer Beattie gave them the breathing space their endeavours had perhaps deserved. Queens won’t be disheartened by that defeat though, there’s plenty of points still to play for before they travel over to Co Londonderry to face Institute on March 12th. They have shown over the last few weeks, their race isn’t over just yet!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 Coleraine beat Warrenpoint Town thanks to two own goals, and Crusaders and Glenavon draw. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60395793 Goals: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/60397570 Ballymena beat Portstewart in the cup. Ballymena face Larne in the quarter finals. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60395792 Goals: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/60397573 And managers unhappy with the Executive https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60400994 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksgranda Posted February 18, 2022 Author Share Posted February 18, 2022 (edited) Larne 0 Glentoran 0, pretty even game, fell away a bit after a lively start. I get the impression Liam Beckett isn't really a tactics guy... ETA: Full time Larne 2 Glentoran 1. Enjoyable second half sees Larne run out deserved winners, imo. After the Glens equalised Larne upped the ante, and were worth their win. Larne hit the bar 3 times. Over to Linfield and Cliftonville, now. Edited February 18, 2022 by Jacksgranda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockwork Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 One Friday night game in the Championship last night, struggling Institute taking a well deserved point in the pouring rain at Clandeboye away to Ards. The home side straight out of the blocks with Joe Tully poaching the opener on six minutes, and staying pretty much in control for most of the first half without really breaching the Stute defence again until missing a great chance to double their lead just before the break. Institute picking up the pace in the second half, given real hope of getting back into things when Conan Young was dismissed for a clumsy 2nd yellow on 56 minutes and then drawing level through an Ian Parkhill Penalty on 70 minutes. A couple of excellent saves from Ards Keeper Brian Neeson, keeping Stute at bay and holding on until full time to secure a point. Finished 1-1. Annagh United vs H&W Welders at the BMG Portadown, probably the pick of this afternoon’s fixtures. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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