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Sunday 09 Jan 2022
Homers squeeze through to fonaCAB Junior Cup last 16

Harryville Homers made it through to the last 16 of the fonaCAB Junior Cup thanks to an extra-time winner over Kelvin OB at Ballymena's Wakehurst Playing Fields.

Both sides signalled their intent right from the start, searching for that elusive opening goal to settle the nerves in what was an end-to-end tussle.

Click here for a full list of Junior Cup results and fixtures.

There were chances at either end but Kelvin came closest only to be denied when impressive Homers keeper Andrew Steele plucked a header out from just under the crossbar.

Kelvin continued to look the more likely to find a way through after the break. They launched wave after wave of attack on the Harryville defence but a combination of poor finishing and the superb Steele who, at one point, produced an excellent double save to kept things scoreless.

However, the Homers - winners of competition for three consecutive seasons from 2014-16 - edged in front early into extra-time after Alan Rainey's pinpoint cross found substitute Paul McNeill who subsequently volleyed what proved to be the only goal of the game past Philip Warnock.

The visitors pushed for the equaliser as extra-time progressed but the home side held out to secure their spot in the Fifth Round.

They will be joined by holders Willowbank who hit double figures, with hat-tricks from Declan Gill and Thomas McCrory, to get past Killyleagh YC II. Enniskillen Rangers, runners-up last time out, also made it through thanks to Eoin McManus' extra-time winner over Beann Mhadaghain.