Failed Statelet Premier League & Other Divisions 2021/22

[Clockwork]

Quick update from the Championship. Ballyclare’s alarming slide continues with yet another defeat 2-4 at home to Ards. No game for runaway leaders Newry this afternoon in a reduced fixture list, but Ballinamallard consolidate 2nd spot with 2-1 away win at the Brandywell. Behind on goal difference only, 3rd place Annagh Utd comfortable 2-0 away winners at Dundela. Tying up the last of Saturday’s results, Loughgall ease past H&W Welders, Nedas Maciulatis netting twice at Lakeview Park.

[Clockwork]

Carrick lose again, 2-0 at Solitude, as the Reds sail on.
0-0 at the Coleraine Showgrounds which effectively ends Crusaders challenge too, which was slight anyway.
Ballymena win 2-0 at Stangmore to leave the Swifts struggling, and Portadown win at Milltown in the 6 pointer with Warrenpoint.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59710373

Carrick can’t buy a point at the moment, that’s five straight league defeats on the bounce dating back to their last win at Ballymena in November. Confidence seems to have almost evaporated since. Still trying to press and push forward but the back line needs shoring up desperately, far too many careless mistakes. The gap between Portadown and Swifts edging closer[emoji15]! (Warrenpoint you would expect already doomed to a rebuild in the Championship next season). A wee break until the Larne game at home in the East Antrim Derby might just be what’s needed right now to regroup.

[Jacksgranda]

Cliftonville top, P 19 Pts 41, second Linfield P 18 Pts 39, third Glentoran also P 18 Pts 39. I think it's now between those three. Fourth Crusaders P18 Pts 32, fifth Larne P 19 Pts 32 and sixth stuttering Coleraine, P 18 Pts 30

Bottom half: Seventh Improving Ballymena P 18 Pts 25, eighth Glenavon P 18 Pts 22, ninth Carrick Rangers P 18 Pts 18, tenth on goal difference Portadown P 19 Pts 12, into the play off spot Dungannon Swifts P 18 Pts 12 and bottom Warrenpoint Town P 18 Pts 7

Mr Lynch not happy - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59707807

Larne v Linfield - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59707611

Glentoran v Glenavon - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59703025

Other goals and highlights - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59714190

Edited December 19, 2021 by Jacksgranda
missed out "Glenavon"

[Aubrey Maturin]

@Jacksgranda  what's happening with Larne, didn't they find a sugar daddy?

[Jacksgranda]

1 minute ago, Tynie Heep said:

@Jacksgranda  what's happening with Larne, didn't they find a sugar daddy?

Still have, team/squad needs freshened up

He's invested in the whole set up, don't think he's into throwing mad amounts of money at signings

Edited December 19, 2021 by Jacksgranda

[Clockwork]

Still have, team/squad needs freshened up
He's invested in the whole set up, don't think he's into throwing mad amounts of money at signings

Some of the Inver Park faithful might also add that Tiernan Lynch has perhaps taken them as far as he’s able to?[emoji848]@Jacksgranda

[Jacksgranda]

1 minute ago, Clockwork said:

 

Some of the Inver Park faithful might also add that Tiernan Lynch has perhaps taken them as far as he’s able to?@Jacksgranda

 

That too, he has looked a bit lost the last couple of televised matches

[Clockwork]

Tight at the top going into the festive period as the Glens move into second spot with an impressive 2-0 away win up at Coleraine on Wednesday evening. Sets up a cracker for the Monday derby game at Windsor with 3rd place Cliftonville at Crusaders sitting in 4th. [emoji41][emoji108]

[Jacksgranda]

Aye, Coleraine's league season over.

[Jacksgranda]

8 hours ago, Clockwork said:

Tight at the top going into the festive period as the Glens move into second spot with an impressive 2-0 away win up at Coleraine on Wednesday evening. Sets up a cracker for the Monday derby game at Windsor with 3rd place Cliftonville at Crusaders sitting in 4th.

Report - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59764049

Goals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59764101

[Clockwork]

Aye, Coleraine's league season over.

It’s a strange one eh? They sometimes play like they could breeze past any side in the league, then other games, where they look like they’ve run out of ideas in the opposition half, even with most of the ball. Don’t mind Oran Kearney as a Manager, seems a good sort, shame he didn’t have a longer spell in Scotland, think he might have done well over here, the way he likes to play and given a decent forward line.
Really looking forward to Monday’s games, hopefully getting something at home to Larne but a tough ask for the Comrades away at Newry. Will be keeping a close eye on events at Windsor, Solitude and at the Showgrounds too, all good stuff.[emoji41][emoji108]

[Jacksgranda]

49 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

It’s a strange one eh? They sometimes play like they could breeze past any side in the league, then other games, where they look like they’ve run out of ideas in the opposition half, even with most of the ball. Don’t mind Oran Kearney as a Manager, seems a good sort, shame he didn’t have a longer spell in Scotland, think he might have done well over here, the way he likes to play and given a decent forward line.
Really looking forward to Monday’s games, hopefully getting something at home to Larne but a tough ask for the Comrades away at Newry. Will be keeping a close eye on events at Windsor, Solitude and at the Showgrounds too, all good stuff.

They've been like that since 1973...

[Jacksgranda]

49 minutes ago, Clockwork said:

It’s a strange one eh? They sometimes play like they could breeze past any side in the league, then other games, where they look like they’ve run out of ideas in the opposition half, even with most of the ball. Don’t mind Oran Kearney as a Manager, seems a good sort, shame he didn’t have a longer spell in Scotland, think he might have done well over here, the way he likes to play and given a decent forward line.
Really looking forward to Monday’s games, hopefully getting something at home to Larne but a tough ask for the Comrades away at Newry. Will be keeping a close eye on events at Windsor, Solitude and at the Showgrounds too, all good stuff.

Football folk I know in Tobermore speak very highly of him, both as a manager and a person.

[Clockwork]

North Belfast Derby, Cliftonville Vs Crus’ at Solitude and Warrenpoint Vs Swifts at Milltown both off this afternoon, presumably due to C19 instructions.

[Clockwork]

Shocks at the top of the championship this afternoon. Leaders Newry beaten by a 37th minute Ciaron Heggerty goal for Ballyclare Comrades.
A Benny Igiehon double for Dergview secures the points against 2nd spot Ballinamallard. Ards and Knockbreda share the spoils at Clandeboye (1-1) whilst Intstitute win by the solitarily goal at Queens Uni in the battle at the bottom.
Wrapping things up, with late goals from Kyle Owens and Guillaume Keke, improving Dundela secure the points in the East Belfast Derby winning away at Welders 2-1. 
Only noticeable change in the table; Annagh Utd move back into 2nd place, by virtue of goal difference without kicking a ball, their game at home to Loughgall postponed earlier. 
Knockbreda and H&W Welders turn out again on Friday 29th, to face each other at Breda Park. 

[Jacksgranda]

Good work 

[Clockwork]

Good work 

What a result for Ballyclare, I wasn’t expecting that at all, thought it was going to be some afternoon when Carrick went one up at home to Larne but perhaps that was just too much to ask.[emoji849]

[Jacksgranda]

Coleraine lose again, last minute winner for Ballymena

Big Two draw at The International Windsor Park Stadium

9 man Glenavon hold off Ports for first Boxing Day win in 54 years at Shamrock Park

Larne win the East Antrim derby

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59797602

Goals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59802078

Linfield top P 20 Pts 43 holding off Glentoran on goal difference P 20 Pts 43, 3rd Cliftonville P 19 Pts 41, it's between these three, surely, 4th a dogged Larne P 20 Pts 35, 5th Crusaders P 18 Pts 32, 6th a rapidly fading Coleraine P 20 Pts 30

Bottom half: 7th Ballymena P 20 Pts 28, 8th Glenavon P 19 Pts 25, 9th Carrick despite their bad run still relatively safe P 20 Pts 18, 10th keeping their noses above the play off spot Dungannon Swifts P 19 Pts 13, 11th Portadown P 20 Pts 12 and 12th Warrenpoint Town P 19 Pts 8

[Clockwork]

Coleraine lose again, last minute winner for Ballymena
Big Two draw at The International Windsor Park Stadium
9 man Glenavon hold off Ports for first Boxing Day win in 54 years at Shamrock Park
Larne win the East Antrim derby
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59797602
Goals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59802078
Linfield top P 20 Pts 43 holding off Glentoran on goal difference P 20 Pts 43, 3rd Cliftonville P 19 Pts 41, it's between these three, surely, 4th a dogged Larne P 20 Pts 35, 5th Crusaders P 18 Pts 32, 6th a rapidly fading Coleraine P 20 Pts 30
Bottom half: 7th Ballymena P 20 Pts 28, 8th Glenavon P 19 Pts 25, 9th Carrick despite their bad run still relatively safe P 20 Pts 18, 10th keeping their noses above the play off spot Dungannon Swifts P 19 Pts 13, 11th Portadown P 20 Pts 12 and 12th Warrenpoint Town P 19 Pts 8

Exciting stuff at Windsor, the Ballymena Showgrounds and at Shamrock Park yesterday, great entertainment even just on the radio and highlights reel.
Disappointing that Stuart King didn’t feel his Carrick side were up for the challenge in a festive Derby game though. Particularly whilst on such a bad run, you would hope that commitment levels at least would match the neighbours.

[Jacksgranda]

Ballymena suspend fans after pitch invasion and altercation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59797071