Failed Statelet Premier League & Other Divisions 2021/22

[Clockwork]

Dungannon Swifts v Carrick Rangers on Friday. Both sides could do with the points, or would you be happy with a draw [mention=76245]Clockwork[/mention]?

Tough call@Jacksgranda, a couple of weeks ago, might have have gone to Stangmore with some confidence (having won on the last two visits there) and on the back of decent away performances at Glenavon and Larne. A bruising defeat at Windsor and a LC defeat at home to Coleraine since, might have just dented fleeting aspirations for this season. Swifts still to win at home though with the most porous defence in the league. Still don’t think they look a bad side going forward though despite their league position, convincing win at Portadown at the end of last month.
McNulty obviously still missing for Rangers but will travel pretty much at full strength, Lloyd Anderson hopefully fully fit. Would like to have some conviction in predicting a 2-1 win but aye think a point is more realistic. Hopefully a good game to start the weekend fixtures.

[Jacksgranda]

20 hours ago, Clockwork said:

 

Tough call@Jacksgranda, a couple of weeks ago, might have have gone to Stangmore with some confidence (having won on the last two visits there) and on the back of decent away performances at Glenavon and Larne. A bruising defeat at Windsor and a LC defeat at home to Coleraine since, might have just dented fleeting aspirations for this season. Swifts still to win at home though with the most porous defence in the league. Still don’t think they look a bad side going forward though despite their league position, convincing win at Portadown at the end of last month.
McNulty obviously still missing for Rangers but will travel pretty much at full strength, Lloyd Anderson hopefully fully fit. Would like to have some conviction in predicting a 2-1 win but aye think a point is more realistic. Hopefully a good game to start the weekend fixtures.

 

Plenty of effort from both sides

Swifts just about worth their lead, although Carrick came more into it towards the end of the half

Not a dirty game but 4 bookings, none of those booked have much cause for complaint, imo

Edited October 22, 2021 by Jacksgranda

[Clockwork]

Plenty of effort from both sides
Swifts just about worth their lead, although Carrick came more into it towards the end of the half
Not a dirty game but 4 bookings, none of those booked have much cause for complaint, imo

Yep, it’s pretty even despite going to sleep for the goal, need to keep it on the deck and stick to passing the ball to get right in behind em. Mon Carrick!

[Jacksgranda]

2-0 to the Swifts, Carrick had more of the game in the second half, but didn't really create much and were caught on the break in the dying minutes.

[Clockwork]

Decent scrap, but disappointing given the amount of possession away from home, just didn’t create anything of note 2nd half.
Swift’s 2nd all too predictable, Carrick trying to push for the equaliser. No complaints though.
Shields will be delighted with that, King knows that’s a missed opportunity to get back on track, that might not present itself again over the next few weeks.[emoji853]

[Jacksgranda]

Ballymena finally come good (not that I particularly want them to come good, but they have been dreadfully disappointing thus far) with a 1-0 win over table topping Cliftonville.

Coleraine ease past Warrenpoint Town 2-0 at the proper Showgrounds...

And the stuttering Glens can only draw 2-2 with the Ports at the Oval.

Big game on Monday as fourth place Larne take on second place Linfield at Inver Park.

[Clockwork]

Ballymena finally come good (not that I particularly want them to come good, but they have been dreadfully disappointing thus far) with a 1-0 win over table topping Cliftonville.
Coleraine ease past Warrenpoint Town 2-0 at the proper Showgrounds...
And the stuttering Glens can only draw 2-2 with the Ports at the Oval.
Big game on Monday as fourth place Larne take on second place Linfield at Inver Park.

Sorry@Jacksgranda but that’s a cracking win for the Sky Blues[emoji6]
It’s still early days, but Monday nights game could be a real chance to show who’s boss eh?
In the Championship a couple of surprise results. Loughgall beating Ards, and Dergview winning at Newry.

[Jacksgranda]

9 hours ago, Clockwork said:

Sorry@Jacksgranda but that’s a cracking win for the Sky Blues
It’s still early days, but Monday nights game could be a real chance to show who’s boss eh?
In the Championship a couple of surprise results. Loughgall beating Ards, and Dergview winning at Newry.
 

I'm not disputing it's a good win, I just don't like Ballymena (in a football sense)! 

Used to work in Castlederg, always keep an eye out for Dergview's results.

[Jacksgranda]

Ballymena v Cliftonville   https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59024302

Coleraine v Warrenpoint   https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59024298

Glentoran v Portadown    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59025051

The ladies got a bit of a doing at Wembley, but they'll bounce back   https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59008757

Cliftonville still top despite losing their unbeaten record, with 20 points from 9 played, with Linfield second on 18 from 8. Third on goal difference Coleraine, 18 but played 10. Fourth Larne 16 from 8, with Glentoran fifth on 14 from 9, with a disappointing Crusaders completing the top six, 13 from 7.

Bottom half: Carrick Rangers edged into seventh on goal difference from the Crues, 13 from 9. Eighth are Glenavon with 10 points from 9. Ninth on goal difference from the Lurgan Blues are Ballymena after their great win yesterday - as David Jeffrey said on Friday night "Any team in this league can beat any other team" - 10 from 9. Four points back on 6 points in tenth place are Dungannon, played 8. Play off spot are Portadown, 5 from 9 with Warrenpoint bottom of the pile with 3 from 9

Looking forward to @Clockwork coming along shortly with his lower division roundup.

[Clockwork]

In the Championship, leaders Ards went down at Lakeview Park to an Andrew Hoey goal, and down to ten men after Jamie McGovern’s late dismissal, their win sees Loughgall move up to 5th.
2nd placed Newry surprisingly beaten at home on Friday night by Dergview. Summer signing Benny Igiehon and Cathal Farren on the scoresheet for Tommy Cannon’s visitors. Improving Ballyclare missed the opportunity to go joint top after a goalless draw at home to Institute, the away side missing a 2nd half penalty. The Comrades also reduced to ten men after former Crus’ and Coleraine defender Howard Beverland received his marching orders.
Game of the day at Breda Park, Knock and near neighbours Dundela in a 3-3 rollercoaster. The visitors coming from two down to lead 3-2 before conceding a late Andrew Long equaliser.
Jason McCartney’s strike just after the break enough to seal the points for Ballinamallard at home to Annagh United. At the foot of the table Queens Uni remain rooted at the bottom but perhaps unfortunate not to take something from the game hosting Welders, Michael McLellan netting a last gasp winner to take all three points back to East Belfast, running out 2-1 winners.
The top two meet in the Friday night game at Clandeboye this coming week. Ballyclare vs Loughgall at Dixon Park, looks to be the pick of Saturday’s fixtures.

[Clockwork]

Good to see that the Larne Vs Linfield game in the Danske Bank Premiership, has a Monday night slot on Sky Sports 1 this evening, KO @19:45. Just hope it’s a decent game in front of a bigger TV audience than usual, tucked away on the iPlayer.

[Clockwork]

Not one for the purists perhaps tonight in the main, but a draw probably just about a fair result over all. Composed finish from Larne sub Navid Nasseri, but great work from McDaid to set him up. Great response from wee Jordan Stewart though, to ensure an exciting finish. Blues still unbeaten, but this title race is wide open this term.

 

Edited October 25, 2021 by Clockwork

[Jacksgranda]

Keeps things bubbling along nicely!

[Jacksgranda]

Northern Ireland Women 2 Austria Women 2.

Austrians were well worth the draw from what I saw, although that was some free kick to put Northern Ireland into the lead.

Edited October 26, 2021 by Jacksgranda
Grandma

[Clockwork]

Cliftonville win 4-1 at Ards & Portadown nudge past Ballinamallard 1-0 to set up the remaining quarter final tie of the League Cup.

NIFL League Cup: Cliftonville and Portadown both win to set up a quarter-final meeting https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59058665

[Clockwork]

Northern Ireland Women 2 Austria Women 2.
Austrians were well worth the draw from what I saw, although that was some free kick to put Northern Ireland into the lead.

Drawn in Group A) with Austria, Norway and hosts England in the Euro 22 Finals.

[Jacksgranda]

Carrick Rangers 0 Glentoran 2

I thought Carrick were unlucky to be behind at halftime, but I can't comment on the second half as I didn't see it.

[Clockwork]

Carrick Rangers 0 Glentoran 2
I thought Carrick were unlucky to be behind at halftime, but I can't comment on the second half as I didn't see it.

Still fairly even 2nd half, the Glens probably looked more dangerous tbf, Conor McMenamin’s strike unstoppable though, what a goal! Rangers now unfortunately on a run, showing signs of last season’s frustrations, plenty of admirable graft but not much guile.
Another tough game at Home next week for Stuart King’s men against Coleraine. Hopefully a chance to regroup/reset things before next Saturday and halt a run of 3 straight defeats.

[Jacksgranda]

No surprises in the Saturday games - Ballymena 0 Larne 3, Ballymena couldn't repeat their Cliftonville heroics. Goals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59065614

Cliftonville 2 Glenavon 1, Cliftonville got a bit of a fright but won in the end. Goals https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59105573

Coleraine 2 Portadown 0, just the sort of game the Bannsiders mess up, so glad to get through that. Goals https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59105570

Linfield 3 Dungannon Swifts 0, no problem for the champs by the looks of thing. Goals https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59103457

Warrenpoint Town 2 Crusaders 4, goals galore, but the points head to the Shore Road. Goals https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/59103454

Plenty of talking points there!

Edited October 30, 2021 by Jacksgranda
Typo

[Clockwork]

In the NIFL Championship, the top two met at Clandeboye Park in the Friday night game. Leaders Ards sharing the spoils with Newry City. Conall McGrandles early on target for Ards, Darren King equalising for the visitors on the half hour.
Third placed and in-form Ballyclare surprisingly brushed aside, 0-3 at home by Loughall, Andrew Hoey on a decent run, hitting the target again. Nathaniel Ferris also on the scoresheet for the visitors, his late goal slightly blemished, after being dismissed along with Comrades forward Jason Johnstone following ‘handbags’ just before the final whistle.
H&W Welders in the goals again at the Blanchflower Stadium running out 5-3 winners over Ballinamallard. Michael McLellan claiming the match ball on completion of a fine hat-trick in the 88th minute.
Mid table - Dergview continue to improve with a third win on the bounce after a comfortable 2-0 home win over struggling Dundela. Cathal Farren on target from the Penalty spot, Phil Wallace with the deciding second, whilst Annagh United and Institute shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the BGM Arena.
Finally at the bottom, Queen’s continue to search for a 2nd win of the season, again unlucky to be edged out by the odd goal at home, going down 2-3 to Knockbreda, defender Karl Hamill with the late winner. The University side matching their visitors for the full duration of the second half, despite being a man down, after Centre Back Stephen McGuiness had been dismissed on a straight red.
One midweek game to look forward to as Ballinamallard take on Institute at Ferney Park, Co Fermanagh.