DJ hits right note for Taverners

Mountview were comfortable winners against Dunaghy Old Boys while Conall Bond's last minute header gave Berthas a narrow victory away to Somerset. Hazelbank easily disposed of Macosquin Village at Ballysally, Gareth Hutchinson's men hitting their opponents for four without reply. It took a goal in the last minute of extra time to separate The Taverners and West Bann Athletic with Davy John McBride the hero for the Ballymoney men.

In the league, Balnamore moved to the top of the table with a 7-1 trouncing of FC Macosquin while Brook Street gained the second win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Ballyrashane.

Mountview 3 Dunaghy Old Boys 0

After the recent spell of bad Saturday morning weather, both teams were eager to get the match kicked-off. In fact this was Mountview's first match in February.

The match was evenly poised for the first half hour or so, both teams creating good passages of play, but Mountview edged the better chances on goal. Mountview opened the scoring 10 minutes from half time when Stanfield, Reid and McCorriston linked the play up well and eventually put Cooke through on goal. Cooke finished well across goal and into the far corner, leaving Docherty no chance in the Dunaghy Old Boys goal.

The half ended with Mountview 1 goal up, but had a few chances to double their advantage before half time. In the second half Mountview were slow to start, but Dunaghy Old Boys having a good spell of possession they didn't really threaten the Mountview goal. On the hour Mountview made it 2 nil, when Irwin played the ball out from the back to Caldwell, who played the ball on to Reid, who crossed the ball to McClarty, he played the ball square to Caldwell who was left to pass the ball into the centre of the goal.

Dunaghy Old Boys then created a great chance of their own, after good play down the left from Keers he crossed the ball into Wilmont whose shot was well saved by McLaughlin in the Mountview goal, the ball rolled out to Blair, 10 yards out, but McLaughlin was quick to his feet and came out well to block the second shot and keep Mountview's lead in the game. Mountview took the opportunity to use their subs and all 5 played well when they came on.

Mountview scored the 3rd of the game when McLaughlin's kick out, went over the Dunaghy Old Boys defence allowing Darron Harte to get to the ball before the advancing Docherty, Harte's first time shot finding the back of the net, giving Mountview a comfortable lead for the last 10 minutes. They comfortable seen out those minutes to advance to the semi finals of the cup for the second season in a row. Man of the Match: Billy Cooke (Mountview)

Somerset 1 Berthas FC 2

The first half hour of this game was a poor spectacle with both teams struggling to string a pass together. Chances were at a premium and when they did come they were half chances at best. Somerset were looking to get the ball forward to their two front men, Millar and Knight but their final ball was somewhat lacking while Berthas struggled to find any sort of rhythm. Somerset finally started to look the most likely team to score and nearly did when Brown blocked Hannas shot at goal before McLaughlin fired the rebound over.

They did take the lead moments later when Millar latched onto Reids pass down the right before watching on as his cross took a wicked deflection off a Berthas player, wrong footing McCrory and landing into the back of the net. Berthas got a good talking to at half time and started the second half on the front foot with Ridgell testing Glass with what was Berthas first shot on target in the game.

They plugged and plugged away at the Somerset defence and finally got on level terms when David Patterson brushed aside the challenge of McConigle and Reid down the right before crossing for Drake who flicked onto Cochrane and he made no mistake, finishing first time from 6 yards out. Berthas looked like they wanted this more with Somerset surprising looking short of ideas despite having the most prolific front man in the league in Gary Millar up front.

Any chance they did get was cut out by the impressive centre back partnership for Berthas of Brown and D. Patterson. With 20 minutes to go, both sides made a few changes and this nearly paid off for Somerset when Murray put Millar in the clear but his advancement on goal was got short on the edge of the area by a Berthas player. Gary Knight lined up the free kick and only just fired over the top.

With 2 minutes to go, Berthas launched one last attack and got the winner through Bond. C.Patterson won the ball in midfield before finding Graham down the right, he squared the ball back to Hoey and he fired in a cross that David Beckham would have been proud of to find the head of Bond who rose above McGonigle to direct the ball into the back of the net. Somerset barely had time to mount one last attack and it was Berthas who advanced into the semi finals. Man of the Match: Colin Rainey (Berthas FC)

Macosquin Village 0 Hazelbank 4

Colin McClarty opened the scoring on 20 minutes, firing home from Nigel Sheppard's cross, Ciaran Wilson made it 2 on the half hour, cutting in from wing beating the full back before slotting in at the near post. Dave McClean went close on two occasions, Sheppard also fired wide.

Macosquin responded with Chris Holmes firing from long range but his shot went straight into Crawfords arms, 2 nil at the break. McClarty and Sheppard both had chances to wrap things up early, but both where wasteful with one on ones while Willie Stewart had and effort cleared off the line for Macosquin.

Hazelbank responded well to this with Sheppard firing home on the hour arriving unmarked at the back post to meet Wilson's cross and Jason King made it 4-0 with 10 minutes remaining, both him and John Farrell causing some problems after replacing McClarty and McClean. Marty McCrory hit the base of the post with 5 minutes to go which would have been fitting after all the build up play, starting the move to Sheppard who's cross was laid unto to McCrory from Soda, his snap shot beating the keeper, but not the post. 4-0 it finished. Man of the Match: Stephen McCartney (Hazelbank)

The Taverners 3 West Bann Athletic 2 (aet)

A very good cup match played in windy conditions at Riada went the whole way with the home side coming out on top by the odd goal in five. Straight from the kick off and with visitors playing with the wind they went in front when a bad clearance from the home keeper fell to Biggart and he had the simple tap in to put the visitors 1-0 up.

The home side then settled and great play from McCurdy put Robinson in he thumped the bar with Graur somehow missing the rebound. It didn't take Graur long to make amends when he cut in from the right and his left foot drive brought the home side level before great work from McNabb released McBride to bring out a fine save from Tosh in the West Bann goal.

The second half started the same as the first finished with the home side dominating and bad finishing from Graur, McBride and Robinson the game should really been over then through a bit of luck McBrides poke at goal somehow was carried over the line by the visitors keeper to put The Taverners 2-1 up.

Fair play to West Bann they made Dallas pull out all the stops and the Taverners keeper made 2 great saves to keep the home side in front but there was nothing he could do when Fleming unleashed a 20 yd drive that flew into the top-corner to leave the match and take it into extra-time.

Great defending by DJ McBride and McNabb last ditch tackling kept the visitors out and it was the same players combining to snatch the winner with 2 minutes of extra-time remaining.

Patton's determination forced the ball wide and with McNabb lurking his excellent centre was met by DJ McBride's diving header to seal a place in the semis' for the Taverners.

Also a mention to referee Jimmy Alexander who McNabb thought had an excellent game as play flowed from end to end. Man of the Match: Davy John McBride (The Taverners)

FC Macosquin 1 Balnamore 7

Balnamore were 2 goals up inside ten minutes, Ryan Mooney clinically finishing on both occasions. FC Macosquin got one back when Andrews finished well to give them hope. They soon had the chance of an equaliser when they were awarded a penalty but James Elder saved well down to his left.

This seemed to turn the game on its head and within 5 minutes Balnamore scored twice, Ryan Mooney completed his hat trick with Hogg finishing off a great move for their fourth.

The second half was more comfortable for Balnamore and they were content to keep ball and pick their opportunities and got their fifth when McKinnon smashed home. The same player then scored again with a great solo run and finish. And with the last kick of the game Mooney sent Madison through and he finished neatly into the corner for a comprehensive 7 - 1 victory. Man of the Match: Richard McKinnon (Balnamore)

Brook Street 3 Ballyrashane Coronation 0

The home team started this game with 10 men and it showed with Ballyrashane on the front foot for the first 20 minutes but failed to capitalise on their possession.

Brook Streets eleventh man finally arrived and they soon took the lead when Martin Smiths cross-come shot landed in the back of the net. As the half drew to a close, Brook Street nearly got their second but Caldwells header was cleared off the line. Brook Street dominated most of the second half and went further in front after 62 minutes with Nigel Law slotting home from the spot. In the 72nd minute it was game over with Smith getting his second. He nearly got his hat-trick but his header was cleared off the line with McVeigh putting the rebound the wrong side of the post. Ballyrashane tried hard but their final ball let them down with Caldwell and Chestnutt in good form for Brook Street. Man of the Match: Craig Caldwell (Brook Street)

Fixtures for Saturday 6 March

Ballyrashane Coronation F.C v Balnamore F.C

Ballysally 2

Coleraine Olympic v Bertha's F.C Rugby Avenue 1

Dunaghy Old Boy's v Taverners F.C Dunaghy

Finn McCool's v Brook Street Bushmills

Hillview F.C v Macosquin Village Crescent 3

Riverside Athletic v F.C Macosquin Fulton Park

Somerset v Mountview F.C Rugby Avenue 2

West Bann Athletic v Villagers F.C Rugby Avenue 3