Carnbane League Round-up: Big wins for Newry Celtic, Camlough Rovers and Orchard United

Premier Division

Five-star Newry Celtic too strong for Millburn United

Newry Celtic 5 Millburn United 1

Newry Celtic got back to winning ways on Saturday, as they saw off Millburn United 5-1.

​The Celts were downed 4-3 at home to Camlogh Rovers last time out, so they were keen to make amends and not drop any further points.

It was a battle between the second-placed Hoops and eighth-placed Millburn, so Daniel Forde’s side came in as huge favourites, but they stunningly fell behind after 20 minutes.

Down and Burren Gaelic footballer Liam Kerr played a pinpoint ball over the top of the Newry Celtic defence and picked out Sam Bingham, who kept his composure and coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

The Celts trailed for 14 minutes, but got back on level terms when Keith Johnston’s in-swinging corner found Paul O’Rourke, and he applied the finish from six yards out.

Seven minutes later a long ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by the Millburn defence and it fell at the feet of Johnston, who hit a low drive off the inside of the far post and into the net to give his side a half-time lead.

The hosts had their tails up now and two further goals in the space of eight second half minutes put the game to bed.

First, Johnston’s deep free was connected with by Lonnie Larkin. Although the Milburn goalkeeper Thomas Beggs was able to make the save, the ball rebounded off Larkin and into the net to make it 3-1.

Then, it was game over moments later when Beggs came rushing out to make a clearance. His long ball was intercepted by Celtic right back Eoin McGivern Seeing the goalkeeper off his line, McGivern went for the spectacular and pulled it off by firing the ball into the back of the net from 50 yards out.

With the game well in hand, the Celts had time for one more goal when Ryan Fearon found the back of the net in the last minute of the game to put the icing on the cake.

Camlough defeat Celts in back-to-back weeks

Camlough Rovers 2 Cleary Celtic 0

Camlough Rovers are the in-form team in the Carnbane League right now and they claimed an impressive 2-0 win over reigning Premier Division title holders Cleary Celtic.

The win follows a 4-3 victory over Newry Celtic last week and a 3-2 derby day victory against Bessbrook United the week before.

Camlough dangerman Kane Rossiter netted braces against both Bessbrook and Newry Celtic, and he followed suit on Saturday by finding the net twice in the first half against Cleary.

He had an opportunity to net a hat trick in the second half, but missed from the penalty spot. However, Camlough still ran out worthy winners.

It’s Mid Ulster Shield action for the Rovers and the Celts next weekend. Camlough travel to Castlecaulfield, whilst Cleary continue the defence of their crown with an away game against Dromore Amateur Reserves.

Ballybot triumph at Kilbroney Park

Rossowen 2 Ballybot United 4

Ballybot United claimed their third league win of the season with a 4-2 win over Rossowen at Kilbroney Park.

Jamie Gaskin scored the only goal of the first half to have Ballybot ahead at the break, before Niall Grant made it 2-0.

A Gaskin penalty put them three ahead, before Rossowen scored their first goal on 82 minutes via Connaire Harrison.

Ballybot weren’t to be denied though, and Darren Bannon sealed the points before Rossowen’s Richie Reynolds scored a consolation goal.

Ballybot take on Archview United next weekend, whilst Rossowen are one of six remaining Carnbane League teams in the Mid Ulster Shield – they host Coalisland Athletic.

Division 1

Lisdrum fight back to earn draw at the Bridge

Mayobridge 2 Lisdrum Youth 2

A late equaliser earned Lisdrum a share of the spoils with Division 1 leaders Mayobridge on at Olympic Park on Saturday and it was no less than they deserved.

While the Bridge were disappointed to concede the leveller, it was a terrific performance from Lisdrum who came from behind twice to record their first draw of the season adding to their first win a few weeks earlier when they beat bottom side Newry Rovers 5-0.

In contrast Mayobridge are flying high, with seven wins and two draws from 10 games played, so this certainly felt like points dropped for them while the draw felt like a win for Lisdrum.

It looked like it would be business as usual for the Bridge when Paudie Smith opened the scoring after 20 minutes. Eight minutes later Lisdrum equalised for the first time and this entertaining game remained 1-1 at the break.

Kevin O’Rourke put the Bridge back in front from the penalty spot in the second half and while there were further chances for both sides, it was Lisdrum who refused to give up with Paul Cunningham salvaging the draw 10 minutes before the finish.

Orchard claim dominant win

Orchard United 4 Newry Rovers 0

Orchard United picked up their sixth win in eight league games with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Newry Rovers.

Newry Rovers had disastrous luck on Saturday as they hit two own goals to give their opponents a nice cushion.

Orchard pushed on from there and Cailum Magee and Sean Gorman would go on to score second half goals and put the result beyond doubt.

Cartwheel take care of business

Cartwheel United 2 Church Street 0

Cartwheel United picked up all three points at Jimmy Steen Park on Saturday.

A goal midway through the first half gave them a platform, before Tiarnan Murphy sealed the deal with their second goal on 77 minutes.

They will look to build on this win when they face Newry Rovers next weekend.