There were four games played in the Bluefin Sport Premier Intermediate League (PIL) on Saturday, on a sad note Tobermore v Banbridge was postponed due to the passing of long serving Tobermore Vice-Chairman, Ian Hopper, and the thoughts of everyone on the team at That Football Daily are with the Hopper family and all those involved with Tobermore at this time.
Annagh United 0 Queens University 1
With Dundela in Irish Cup action, Queens went into this game hoping to reduce the gap at the top of the table against basement side Annagh. When these two sides met earlier in the season it was hardly much of a contest with Queens running out 7-2 victors but this game was a much closer affair and it was Annagh who went close to opening the scoring after 14 minutes when an effort on goal came back off the crossbar. United keeper Eoin Hughes then had to deny Ciaran O’Hare and Ronan Young to ensure the game was scoreless at the break. Queens stepped it up a gear in the second half and had plenty of chances but it took until the third minute of injury time when an effort from Barry Walsh finally beat Hughes and gave Queens the points, they now trial Dundela by a single point.
Donegal Celtic 0 Armagh City 0
A win for DC could have seen them climb two places in the table to 7th but for the second week in a row they came away with a scoreless draw that doesn’t really do them too many favours, Armagh will also be disappointed perhaps as a win could have also seen them climb the table but given the course that the game took a point away from home may also be viewed as a favourable result. City did start the game strongly but couldn’t create any real chances and when DC came into the game as the half went on City had to be thankful to keeper Daniel Devine who made some top saves to earn his side a point. City have dropped down to 6th in the table after this game, DC remain in 9th but lead Newington only by goal difference.
Moyola Park 1 Portstewart 0
Both sides started this game brightly as Tom Hegan, making his debut in goal for Moyola, have to be alert to hold onto a cross from Eoghan Quigg and at the other end TIernan Rafferty and Craig McAllister had chances. Portstewart were calling for a penalty after 18 minutes following a challenge from Hegan but the referee waved play on. Both sides continued to have chances before half-time, Moyola perhaps having the upper hand, but neither could break the deadlock in the first half. Ten minutes into the second half and Rafferty scored what proved to be the winning goal direct from a free-kick, it was the clinical striker’s 25th goal of the season in all competitions. The rest of the game continued in much the same fashion with both sides having chances and efforts on goal but Rafferty’s strike turned out to be the game’s only goal. The win moves Moyola up a place to 5th and Portstewart are now 11th but with a game in hand over bottom side Annagh.
Newington YC 2 Sport and Leisure Swifts 1
Newington’s recent resurgence in form continued as they secured three points in this home game against Sport and Leisure to climb up a place to 10th. Their goals on Saturday came courtesy of an own goal and captain Conal Burns scoring from the penalty spot. It wasn’t all plain sailing though as the Swifts were awarded a penalty of their own but Ton keeper Dean Smyth made the crucial save to secure the win and move them 5 points clear of the danger area.
Due to the 4th round of the Intermediate Cup taking place this Saturday there is just one PIL game on Saturday when Portstewart take on Armagh City.