The 2025/26 fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup kicked off at the weekend with over 60 Round 1A ties being played at pitches in all corners of the country, and all with the aim of reaching the showpiece decider next Spring.
Enniskillen Rangers have a strong recent history in the competition, having emerged victorious four times in less than a decade, and they kicked off what they'll hope will be another successful campaign with a 3-1 defeat of Glenavy in Aghalee.
Paul Coulter opened the scoring for Rangers early in the game from the edge of the six yard box after Stuart Rainey had cut the ball over from the right.
Joel Byrne doubled the visitors led just after the half-hour mark after receiving the ball from Mark Cutler in the middle of the park and running forward to slot past the home keeper.
Glenavy did pull a goal back in first half stoppage time through Conor Totten but substitute Jason Keenan restored Rangers' two-goal advantage from Jamie Robinson's pass before battling his way through the defence to score from an acute angle.
With so many games to pick from it could be difficult picking out a highlight but special mention has to go to Holywood FC II, the only side to reach double figures, as they swept past Red Star Carrick at Spafield Park.
The NAFL Division 3C side moved in front through Andrew Wright midway through the first half, the first of three for the 36-year-old, rounded off by a crisp volley in the closing moments.
Normally that would have earned him the match ball but he was outdone by team-mate James Doggart who bagged no fewer than four goals including three in seven second half minutes! John James McKinley, Louis Graham and skipper Ben Graham also found the net for the men in green and black.
Doggart was one of four players to hit the back of the net four times. Shea Woodcraft bagged four as Keady Celtic hit six past FC Bailie on the road, Lewis Burns matched that in Lisburn Rangers II's victory over Claudy Harps while Barn United's Jack Rankin also scored four in a nine-goal defeat of Rectory Rangers Reserves.
Belfast United equalled that scoreline against Belfast United 9-0 Desertmartin Swifts with Matthew Fleetham and Stuart McCaughan both claiming hat-tricks, while Knockbreda Reserves and Cleary Celtic also racked up nine apiece in victories over AFC Craigavon Reserves and Newry Rovers respectively.
The competition continues on Saturday 13 September with another batch of games, kick-off 1:30pm. Click here for all results and fixtures.
