Stuart King has left his role as Carrick Rangers manager after his struggling team went down 1-0 to Queens University at Taylors Avenue in the first round of the BetMcLean League Cup. Chris Middleton scored the winner in the dying minutes for the students.
Holders Linfield kicked off their campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win away to Championship high-fliers Dundela in tonight’s clash at Wilgur Park.
With the hosts hoping that the Blues may have one eye on Friday’s “Big two” showdown, this was a game where some believed an upset was on the cards and there wasn’t much between the sides in the opening half-hour of play. That was until 33 minutes, when in-form winger Kirk Millar grabbed the opener.
Finding himself with time inside the Dundela box, the dangerman drove a low effort under the keeper from 12 yards to settle any nerves that the current Premiership leaders may have had.
After seeing out the opening period, the home team came under sustained pressure at the start of the second half, and it was no surprise when Charlie Allen grabbed a second for the Blues just shy of the hour mark.
Shortly after he had teed up Joel Cooper to test Lewis Deane, the former Leeds man had a go himself with the Duns keeper failing to get a strong enough hand to his shot from just inside the box.
Joel Cooper completed the scoring on 84 minutes after beating Deane from a narrow angle.
The win sets David Healy’s side up well for Friday night’s encounter with the Glens.
Loughgall were stunned 3-2 by neighbours Armagh City at Lakeview Park.
Conor McCloskey and Jay Boyd looked to have given the home side the victory but Championship side Armagh hit back through Dermot McCaffrey and Noeem Oladunjoye.
Ugo Anny-Nzekwue then netted to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Portadown, who were defeated by Linfield in last season’s final, were knocked out by Ards.
Aidan Steele scored a last-minute winner against the Ports, who were reduced to 10 men after Josh Ukek was sent off in the first half.
An under-strength Larne came from behind to defeat Championship leaders H&W Welders 2-1 at Blanchflower Stadium thanks to two goals by Ambrose Ajala.
Josh Kee gave the Welders an early lead before Ajala’s double secured the win for Larne, whose attention will now turn to European action against Molde on Thursday.
Ballymena United needed penalties to defeat Rathfriland, after drawing 3-3 after extra time.
Andrew Mitchell scored a hat-trick as in-form Dungannon Swifts thrashed Portstewart 5-0 at Stangmore Park. Leon Boyd and Steven Scott were also on target for the Swifts.
Matthew Shevlin and Jamie McGonigle both scored twice as Coleraine hammered Championship side Ballinamallard United 4-0 at Ferney Park.
Fellow Premiership sides Crusaders, Cliftonville, Glenavon and Glentoran all progressed.
