Referee: Robert Penney (Carrickfergus)

                
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Linfield 1-0 Ballymena United      

Inver Gods pick up pace

Larne 4 - 0 Ballyclare Comrades 05 Sept 98

Three great strikes in the final 20 minutes saw Larne deservedly defeat neighbours Ballyclare Comrades at Inver Park. Holders Ballyclare started brightly and after 4 minutes could have opened the scoring. Picking's low cross from the right bounced nicely for John Martin who fired his shot just over the top from 12 yards. Larne came back when Craig's deep cross from the right caused confusion in the Comrades defence. The ball eventually fell to Taylor whose effort flew just past the upright. Larne opened the scoring after 28 minutes, Lowry wide on the right cutting inside former team-mate Jackie Johnston before sending a low drive just inside McCusker's right hand post, a shot the keeper should have covered. Five minutes later a great run by John Martin saw him leave two defenders in his wake but his parting shot was blocked by the legs of Larne keeper Matthews. Comrades were reduced to ten men after 67 minutes, John Johnston red-carded for a second bookable offence. Larne extended their advantage 17 minutes from time. McCourt knocked the ball into the path of Lowry, he got to the byline and crossed to the back post where Marcus Hill was unmarked to head home. With 13 minutes remaining Ballyclare should have got themselves back into the game. A great run from Picking saw him thread the ball to John Martin but unmarked ten yards he could only find the set netting. Three minutes from time Larne made sure of the points. Taylor and Ferguson combined in midfield to send a low drive wide of McCusker into the corner. With just a minute remaining Ferguson was again the provider, this time for a second half substitute Patton to calmly stoke the ball past the stranded McCusker for number four.

Team: Matthews, Crawford, Craig, J.Hill, McKinstry, M.Hill, Taylor, Lowry, McCourt, Loughlin, McDowell subs Telford, Patton, Ferguson

Referee: Frank Harte (Newry)

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Larne 1 - 1 Bangor 12 September 1998

Bangor still await their first victory in the Ulster Cup after they shared the points today in an entertaining game at Larne.

Larne, looking more enterprising, had the first chance of the game after 15 minutes. A McKinstry free-kick was knocked on by Taylor to Ferguson but his weak effort failed to trouble Robinson. The home side took the lead after 26 minutes, capitalising on some dreadful Bangor defending. Patton provided the cross from the left which found Lowry unmarked. He had time to bring it down before slotting it past Robinson. Matthews, in the home goal, had a let off 11 minutes before the break when he dropped a right wing cross. Jody Hill, however, was on hand to clear the danger. Bangor then started to look more purposeful with two Stewart free-kicks causing problems for the Larne defence but Armstrong and O'Connor both failed to get their headers on target. On the stroke of half-time a Larne corner on the left from Lowry found Crawford who headed over the bar from six yards with only Robinson to beat. Six minutes after the restart a Lowry cross again split the Bangor defence but Ferguson was unable to supply the finish. Bangor then began to take control. A Crowe corner found O'Connor whose header beat the keeper but Jody Hill was on hand to clear off the line. The Larne defender again saved the home side in the 63rd minute after Crowe's close range effort had beaten Matthews. Bangor levelled the scores 18 minutes from time. Surgeon's cross fell to Doherty who was upended by Hill, allowing Coulter to calmly slot home the resultant penalty.

Team: Matthews, Crawford, Craig, J.Hill, McKinstry, M.Hill, Taylor, Lowry, Loughlin, Patton, Ferguson subs Anderson, McCourt, McCormick

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News Flash

NEW ASSISTANT MANAGER

Byron Seymour has been appointed as assistant to Larne manager Frankie Parks with Jeff Russell replacing the former goalkeeper as second team manager.

"I'm delighted to have Byron as my second in command. He's a Larne man and that's a valuable asset in addition to his ability and enthusiasm for the job. He's worth his weight in gold" stated Parks.

Limavady 2-1 Larne 19 September 1998

United find form right at the death.

LIMAVADY United are right back in contention for the Ulster Cup title. The Roesiders need to win their last game next Saturday against Bangor to at the very least force a tie at the top with Distillery. Once again Limavady's generosity in front of their opponents' goal threatened to be their undoing. They dominated the first half but went in at the interval with nothing to show. In the 19th minute Limavady's Barry Curran had the ball in the net from a Pat McDaid pass but Waringstown referee John McClenaghan disallowed it. Thirty seconds later Lee Patrick waltzed past Larne's big central defenders John McKinstry and Alan Craig but his shot went wide. Damian Nash, the new keeper, had little to do but he did make an excellent save from Terry Taylor just on the halftime whistle. Liamvady started the second half in stunning fashion as Chris Moore, released by Dick Ferris, raced down the left and his cross beat Larne keeper Phil Matthews only for Ricky Wade to waste the most inviting of opportunities by heading wide. Then a Moore and McDaid raid failed for McDaid's weak shot was saved by Matthews. Seconds later in the 55th minute Larne shattered Liamvady's nerves as they took the lead when Tom McCourt headed in as Limavady tried to scramble clear a corner.

Larne's Matthews made saves from Moore and McDaid but made a poor clearance in the 65th minute which was picked up by Pat McDaid who sidefooted a pass to Wade for a tap-in. Limavady managed to force the winner in the 81st minute when Barry Curran hooked over a cross for substitute Love to put past Matthews.

UNITED BOUNCE BACK Limavady United 2-1 Larne After showing some lively soccer in the first 20 minutes, Limavady United lost their way and lacked creativeness. However, in the early stages the home side were gaining the upper hand but several good moves failed to turn into goals. In the 19th minute Barry Curran turned a shot from Paddy McDaid into the net but referee John McClenaghan had just blown for offside. A minute later Lee Patrick, who was working hard in the centre, beat a defender and was clear but his shot flashed across the face of goal. The last 10 minutes of the first period saw Larne break out of their half and get into the game but they were unable to score. Limavady started the second half in bright form with a couple of good opportunities going begging. Larne took the lead in the 55th minute minute when John Loughlin scored following a corner. Ten minutes later Lee Patrick, who had an impressive game, got behind the defence and passed inside to an onrushing Ricky Wade who scored comfortably. United then moved ahead when Barry Curran chased the ball to the byline and hooked it back to Harry Love who slotted home from close range.

Team: Matthews, Crawford, Craig, J.Hill, McKinstry, M.Hill, Taylor, Lowry, McCourt, Loughlin, Ferguson subs: McCormick, Anderson, Patton

Referee: John McClenaghan (Waringstown)

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Ards kicked off with some hope of picking up the Ulster Cup and they did all they could to put pressure on Distillery with this comfortable victory. Going behind early on they roared back with two goals in each half to win 4-1 at a canter. It was Larne who took a 17th minute lead with their first real attack of the game. The home side won a free kick 25 yards out, just right of centre, and big defender David McCormick curled a super shot past the grasping hands of Ards keeper Mickey Keenan. The Ards reply was immediate because straight from the kick-off they were level thanks to a tremendous strike from midfielder Jonathan Prizeman. >From just inside his own half Prizeman hit the perfect long range shot which the frantically back pedalling Matthews couldn't keep out of his goal. Erskine then pounced in typical fashion in the 41st minute to head in an Andy Beattie cross from close range to give Ards their half-time advantage. Ards' first half sparkle had all but disappeared when, in the 76th minute, Scottish midfielder Kerr hit a splendid third. Substitute Jonathan Adair pulled his cross from the right by-line and Kerr thumped his shot into the top corner from 15 yards. Three minutes later it was 4-1 as Adair was left free on the edge of the Ards area and his 16-yard right-foot shot flew past Matthews into the roof of the net.

Team: Matthews, Crawford, Craig, J.Hill, McKinstry, McCormick, Lowry, M.Hill, Patton, Anderson, McDowell subs: Loughlin, Telford, Elder

Referee: David Chambers (Belfast)

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