Championship

DUNS MOVE INTO POLE POSITION

07 Oct 2023
football

There’s a new name at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship after Dundela got the better of Portadown in the big clash at Shamrock Park.

Morning leaders Newington fell to a third successive defeat, this time to Ballyclare Comrades, while there were also victories for Bangor, HW Welders and Institute.

It took the Duns just 45 seconds to open the scoring against the Ports after David McMaster tucked the ball home at the back post after Jordan Jenkins had cut the ball back.

Jenkins found the net himself after half-an-hour from 12 yards but the Ports pulled one back early in the second half through Championship player of the month Ryan Mayse.

However, the game was settled around 20 minutes later when Andy Hall converted from the spot after Lee Chapman had been sent off for a challenge on Jenkins inside the area.

It was a good day for Calvin McCurry as he bookended Ballyclare’s victory over the Swans at Dixon Park.

He buried the opener past Dean Smyth on 11 minutes, with Owen McConville doubling up just a few minutes after that.

McCurry then made sure of the win deep into stoppage time after taking the ball past three defenders and burying the ball low and hard into the net.

HW Welders came from a goal down to get past bottom of the table Knockbreda at the Blanchflower Stadium.

Guillaume Keke had fired ‘Breda in front on 37 minutes after running onto a ball over the top, but Ewan McCoubrey hit back for the Welders at the back post not long after the interval.

Matthew Ferguson then popped up midway through the second half to head home what proved to be the winner.

Bangor picked up a big three points with victory over Annagh United at Clandeboye Park.

Jack Henderson pounced on a poor clearance to find the bottom corner just before the half-hour mark, with Ben Arthurs smashing home a second around ten minutes after that.

Ben Walker knocked home Bangor’s third late on, with Darragh Stewart bagging a late consolation for the visitors.

Oisin Devlin opened the scoring for Institute as they defeated Dergview at the Brandywell.

The 16-year-old found the net from inside the box after 12 minutes, a lead they held until right at the end when Fionn McClure made sure in the closing moments.

Meanwhile, at Ferney Park, Ballinamallard United shared the spoils with Ards.

Josh McIlwaine broke the deadlock with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, but Adam McCallum hit the equaliser for the visitors deep into stoppage time.