Premier Intermediate

IT'S TIGHT AT THE TOP

27 Jan 2025
football
Action from Knockbreda's defeat of Moyola Park

Only goal difference stands between Dollingstown and Warrenpoint Town at the top of the table following the latest round of Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League action.

The Dollybirds lead the way, but they surrendered a two-goal lead at home to Oxford Sunnyside before having to settle for a point.

They got off to the ideal start when, after just 8.77 seconds, Ben Neill opened the scoring after rushing in to get his head to Odhran Skelton's low cross from the right.

Jordan Campbell added to the home advantage with around a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock before, on 34 minutes, new signing Adam Salley pulled one back from the visitors from the spot.

The visitors then levelled ten minutes into the second half courtesy of Liam Toman's finish.

Two second half goals proved enough for Warrenpoint Town to defeat nine-man Lisburn Distillery at Ballyskeagh.

Scoreless at the break, the Whites suffered the dismissal of Aaron Cochrane on 34 minutes after collecting his second caution of the game before, a minute after that, Justin Grattan received a straight red card for dissent.

'Point made their numerical advantage count on 52 minutes after Diarmuid O'Hanlon cut inside to fire past Dylan Agnew despite the home keeper getting his hand to the ball.

Then, just over a quarter-of-an-hour after that, the visitors doubled their advantage courtesy of a Jim O'Hanlon spot-kick awarded after Reece Doyle had been upended in the area.

Third placed Rathfriland Rangers defeated Portstewart by the odd goal in five at Iveagh Park.

The visitors moved in front after just five minutes when, from a corner from the left, Alexandre Machado rose to send a glancing header past keeper Steven Maguire.

Rangers levelled after a quarter-of-an-hour, however, when Ruari Fitzpatrick sent the ball into the area for Jake Corbett to find the net with a downward header.

Then, in first half stoppage time, the home side took the lead when Corbett's header from a corner was turned into his own net by Portstewart skipper Ryan Doherty.

And Rangers extended their advantage five minutes into the second half when Stephen McCavitt ran onto a ball down the right before cutting inside to send a low shot into the net.

Michael Stewart pulled one back for Portstewart in added time when he slid in to direct the ball past Maguire but it was too late to impact on the outcome of the game.

Marcus Murphy bagged a double as Knockbreda edged out Moyola Park at 'Breda Park.

The 27-year-old opened the scoring as early as the third minute with a finish into the top corner, but the visitors hit back around the half-hour mark when Jake Francis converted from the spot.

However 'Breda regained the lead - and ultimately the points - on 35 minutes when Murphy tapped home his second of the game.

Ballymacash Rangers came from behind to defeat Coagh United at Hagan Park.

The home side moved in front after just two minutes when Luke McConnell found the net, but this was cancelled by Benny Igiehon's stylish finish on 20 minutes.

And 'Cash made sure of the points ten minutes into the second half Eddie Shaw edged them in front.