Ballymena and Provincial League weekly round-up

The visitors got off to a flying start, taking the lead when Darren Cosby chipped the keeper in the second minute. Then Brian Black added number two to put the Newtownabbey side in the driving seat the break.

But RBL hit back when James Dunne scored early in the second half, only for Cosby to net his second of the afternoon.

Back came the home side and Jack Taylor reduced the deficit but in the final 10 minutes Black found the net again to make sure of the win. Cosby added the gloss, completing his hat-trick.

Junior Division One: Two unanswered second-half goals helped Newington YC II to a 3-1 success at home to Mallusk Athletic. Daniel Moore had put the Belfast men one up after four minutes, but that was cancelled out by Phil Brown before the break.

Mark Kelly’s deflected effort gave Newington the edge shortly after the hour-mark and Stephen Patterson nipped in to wrap things up with nine minutes remaining.

Woodlands fought back from 3-1 down to claim a 3-3 draw against visitors Carnmoney. Ross Oliver continued his fine form when he netted the opener for the Carrick outfit on 10 minutes, but a Craig Montgomery double put Carnmoney in front at half-time.

When Ricky Thompson added a third early in the second session it looked like all three points would go to Carnmoney but Woodlands never gave up and goals from Johnny Parkes and Thomas Ogilvie secured a share of the spoils.

Junior Division Two: After a scoreless first half, David Rowe put Moyola Park Olympic in front with 49 minutes on the clock. This goal separated the teams until injury-time when Gary Black popped up with the equaliser for North End.

Junior Division Three: KCC Athletic rattled in six without reply as they entertained Carnlough Swifts. Matty Davis, Alan McVeigh, Ryan Hill (two), Aston Neil and Nathan Neil were on the scoresheet for the hosts.

Whitehead Rangers suffered a 6-1 defeat at home to 3rd Ballyclare Old Boys. The Whites’ response came via an own goal, but the Old Boys were too strong. Marc Campbell netted four goals for the Old Boys, with Paul McAllister and Sammy Duff also on target.

An early Matthew McFaul goal and a Tony Matthews strike right on the stroke of half-time gave Castle Star a 2-0 success away to a battling 1st Carrickfergus OB side.

Canada Trophy R1: Goals were the order of the day at the Ballymena Showgrounds as FC Whiteabbey emerged as 5-3 winners over Wakehurst Strollers.

Connor Mullen gave Whiteabbey the perfect start with a second-minute strike but a Peter Adams double put Wakehurst in front at the break.

Mark McCullough equalised for Whiteabbey early in the second half and Ryan O’Neil put the visitors 3-2 in front. McCullough added number, only for Roy Colville to pull a goal back for the Strollers.

Mullen had the final say when he wrapped the game up with his second of the match.