THE Welders and Bangor are starting to pull away from the pack in the Playr-Fit Championship thanks to wins over Newry City and Ballyclare Comrades respectively on Saturday.
The top two are now four points clear of joint third placed Limavady and Dundela, the latter drawing 1-1 with Newington at Larne’s Inver Park ahead of Tuesday night’s glamour clash with Linfield at Wilgar Park in the first round of the BetMcLean League Cup. Michael McLellan edged the Duns in front after 10 minutes, Paul Donnelly equalising for the north Belfast Swans.
Paul Kee’s Welders, who head Bangor on goal difference, were 2-1 winners over Newry at Blanchflower Stadium, while Lee Feeney’s side beat the Comrades in a 3-2 thriller.
At Dixon Park, Matthew Ferguson opened the scoring with his 11th goal of season before a Darius Roohi double pushed Ballyclare ahead. Rees Neale levelled and on 77 minutes Ben Arthurs bagged the winner.
A Tiarnan O’Connor double did the damage for the Welders against Newry, relegated from the top flight at the end of last season.
Conor Mullen also bagged a brace as Armagh City ran out impressive 3-1 winners at Ballinamallard, while Ards drew 0-0 with Institute at Clandeboye Park.
Annagh United and Limavdy United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the BMG Arena.