We’ve three Bluefin Sport Premier Intermediate League matches to cover in this roundup, two from Saturday and one that was played last night.
In some off the pitch news, it was found last week that Annagh United had fielded an ineligible player in their 1-1 draw against Banbridge on the 13th January, so Banbridge have been awarded a 3-0 win and moved up a spot to 3rd in the table; leapfrogging Distillery as a result.
Annagh United 0 Donegal Celtic 0
These two sides met for the second week in a row, Annagh having come out the victors the week before at Suffolk Road with a 3-2 win and despite the aforementioned point’s deduction knew that a win could see them move off the bottom of the table by the end of the day. Unfortunately neither side were able to find a breakthrough, though it was indeed Annagh who came closest as Ben Eagle had the ball in the net five minutes from the final whistle but the celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag much the disgust of the United players and officials. A draw doesn’t do a great deal for either side as they remain as they were in the table, 12th and 9th respectively.
Dundela 5 Portstewart 0
Dundela extended their lead at the top of the table to 4 points, though they have played a game more than 2nd placed Queens, thanks to this convincing 5-0 rout of Portstewart at Wilgar Park on Saturday. Dundela were hot favourites going into this game and raced into a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Jordan Hughes, Jordan Morrison and Luke Fisher, leaving manager Russell Bowers delighted. After the break Hughes added his second, the Duns fourth, and to wrap up the win January signing Carl McComb scored his second goal since returning to the club. The result was a blow for the Seahawks as it meant any sort of result for Newington last night would almost certainly see them fall to 11th in the table on goal difference.
Newington YC 1 Banbridge Town 1
Banbridge will have been expected to win this game against a Newington side who were second bottom going into last night’s game at Seaview, Town also got the three points when the sides met at the start of the month but Newington had won their last league game. Despite all the pre-match expectations it was Newington who found themselves in front at half-time thanks to Ryan Morrison’s strike, though Town drew themselves level when Stephen Greene headed home from a Timmy Grant free-kick and ultimately neither side could find a winner. The result sees Newington move into 10th place, climbing above Portstewart on goal difference, and Banbridge remain in 3rd but now trial Queens only by goal difference.
There are five PIL fixtures taking place this Saturday:-
Newington v Sport and Leisure
Annagh v Queens
Donegal Celtic v Armagh
Moyola Park v Portstewart
Tobermore v Banbridge
As always we’ll be back next week to round up all of that action for you.