05/09/2026
🔵⚫️Junior Cup result 🔵⚫️
Our first team travelled 2.5 hours to Ballymoney for a replay of last year's junior cup tie against Glebe Rangers reserves at the Riada stadium. Rovers started brightly creating several chances through Kyle, Odhran, and Adam but nothing clear cut. Glebe then found their footing in the game creating several chances, but the Rovers defence stood strong. The game was end to end with both teams creating chances with Odhran Houston having the best of the opportunities. Glebe Rangers then scored on the 40th after Rovers failed to clear from a goal mouth scramble. Rovers attempted to hit back straight away with Ian, Odhran, and Ivo linking up winning a corner. However, from the Rovers corner Glebe hit us on the break gaining a corner. Glebe then got their second after picking the ball up on the edge of the box from the Rovers clearance placing the ball into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. Rovers then lost the ball, and Glebe broke down the left gaining and corner. Rover then found themselves 3 nil down in the space of 5 minutes conceding from the resulting corner. Our first team went in at half time and regrouped starting the second half brightly putting Glebe under pressure. Rovers could’ve found themselves back in the game only for a few questionable offside decisions. Rovers eventually got the goal with Odhran providing the cross for Kyle to convert to reduce the deficit. However, Glebe immediately hit back after Rovers failed to clear a Glebe cross far enough and the Glebe striker smashed the ball past Rhys. Rovers continued pressing Glebe creating several opportunities through Adam, Odhran, and Kyle but the Glebe keeper was in fine form. On the 81st minute Crico played a superb Pirlo pass out the left finding Adam and then played the ball back to Kyle who delivered an inch perfect cross for Odhran to power past the Glebe keeper. Rover’s pressed hard for the last 10 minutes and found themselves again close to closing the gap when Ian played a cross ball to Adam who took his touch past the oncoming keeper goal bound only for it to be cleared of the line by the Glebe defender. Our lads fought hard coming back from 3 nil down and should be proud of themselves for not giving up. Several lads could’ve got MOTM today but Ian Carruthers work rate and through balls finds him the deserving player.
Thanks again to Ashdale VIVO and Cynestx Incubator for this week’s sponsors.
Devenish Bar Astec Motors
