CASTLE RANGERS 3 BAGENALSTOWN FC 3: Stretford United 2 Hanover Harps 6 CASTLE RANGERS and Bagenalstown served up a six goal thriller on the opening day of the new season. The game started with both teams enjoying good possession, but not creating any clear cut chances. Town signalled their intent early on with shots by Mark Tuite and Alan MacDonald saved by the Rangers keeper, Richie Mahon. On 20 minutes Josh Doyle's free from the right was powerfully struck by Shane Maye but his shot was headed clear by the last defender, Dermot O'Boyle.

Minutes later Doyle's direct free kick from 25 yards was tipped over by Mahon. This brought Castle out of their shell a bit and after a couple of nice passes down their right hand side, Cailin Canning put Keith Duggan in on goal only to see his chipped shot well saved. The Town then took the lead on 38 minutes, Doyle's cross from the right was taken down by Jason McAssey. The young striker, on his debut, then dispatched a bullet like left foot shot to the top right hand corner of the net. Castle almost hit back straight away with Brian Pearson shooting just wide, however they went into break trailing 1-0.

The second half was only five minutes old when McAssey doubled his tally. He rose highest to head home a Philip O'Brien cross for a 2-0 lead. Rangers, to their credit, struck back, from the kick off, Canning, Brian Pearson and Paul Lawler combined to great effect with Canning playing a lovely pass for Keith Duggan to jinks past one defender and score at the near post. It was all Castle pressure now and when Brian Pearson burst into the penalty and was subsequently brought down with a rash tackle by Philip O'Brien, the ref pointed to the spot. Noel O'Reilly converted the penalty to level the match at 2-2 on 60 minutes.

Rangers were still pressing for the next goal but Bagenalstown looked dangerous on the break, but it was Castle who would take the lead. A cross from the left hand side by Paul Lawler was expertly volleyed to the net by Keith Duggan on 65minutes to put Rangers ahead by 3-2. However, the Town side responded immediately, Ian Michael squared the ball to Tuite, who curled a superb right foot shot into the top left hand corner of the net for 3-3 on 67 minutes.

Both sides had great chances late on to secure the points. On 85 minutes Rangers were foiled when a strike from 10 yards by Brian Pearson was blocked by Town custodian, Kieran Cunningham. With two minutes remaining, Town's McAssey played the ball into the path of Alan MacDonald but his strike was wide of the mark.

A draw was a fitting result for both sides, who each had periods of dominance, and hopefully will augur well for their respective seasons. Best for Castle were Paul Lawler, Daniel O'Boyle, and Keith Duggan while Ciaran Lee, Mark Tuite and Jason McAssey shone for Bagenalstown THE TOWN derby went the way of the Hanover side who were a little flattered by the final score line.

Harps took an early lead when Mark Kelly set up Graham Delaney to net on three minutes. Back came United who recovered from that early setback, equalising when a Paul Haughney free was finished to the net by Darren Costello. John "Hajji" Doyle failed with a chance to put Stretford ahead before half time.

Hanover regained the lead when Alan Shaw sent a free all the way to the Stretford net on the hour. Harps then raced into a 4-1 lead with goals from mark Kelly and Graham Delaney to take a stranglehold on the contest. United looked like that they might get back into the game when Paul Haughney's free went direct to the Harps net to reduce the arrears on 70 minutes. However Hanover were not to be denied the three points and another fine goal from Delaney put the issue beyond doubt and a goal on 85 minutes from Daniel walker really put the icing on the cake.

Hanover had outstanding performers in Sean Kavanagh, Simon O'Shea, Phil Neenan and Paul Farrell. Excellent for Stretford were Eugene Keating, Kieran Dollard and Paddy Dooley.

Crettyard United 4 Castle Rangers 0

CHAMPIONS Crettyard had their first clear cut victory of their new campaign with a comfortable win over newly promoted Castle Rangers.

The home side were on to all way through the contest, but Rangers defended well in the first half with their 'keeper outstanding. The half ended scoreless

Things were to change however with the introduction of Christoir Maher for United, who started to pull strings in midfield. Maher was to set up Brendan Fox to open the scoring on 63 minutes. A fine run from Jason Kealy set Houlihan to widen the gap further on 74 minutes. Colin Osborne then made it 4-0 following good work by Craig Comerford to complete a comfortable win.

For Crettyard, Jason Kealy, Colin Osborne, Anthony Houlihan and Christoir Maher were excellent. Paul Lawler, Danny O'Boyle and Joe Nolan tried hard for Castle Rangers.

New Oak Boys 5 Bagenalstown FC 4

A HIGH scoring tie went the way of New Oak when they got the better of Bagenalstown by the odd goal in nine.

Three minutes into the game the Boys went ahead, James White's free went to the net off the Town crossbar. The visitors got back on level terms on 18 minutes when a low cross from Philip O'Brien was turned in by Jason McAssey. Eric McCormack regained the lead for New Oak following good work from White to leave it 2-1 at the break.

McAssey scored his second goal of the game for Bagenalstown and the visitors went ahead when Alan McDonald finished off good work by Brian Murphy. Seamie Doran brought the Boys level when he got on the end of a Jordan Lowry pass on 66 minutes. Tom Collins with a far post header from a corner put New Oak 4-3 up on 71 minutes. It was 5-3 when Philip O'Brien took Seamie Doran down and McCormack converted the resulting penalty on 82 minutes. Another penalty at the other end set up a nail biting finish, Mark Tuite was fouled and Daniel Brennan converted from the spot, however New Oak survived the final minutes to win three points.

James White, Eric McCormack and Seamie Doran stood out for New Oak while Bagenalstown were well served by Ciaran lee, Mark Tuite and Brian Murphy.

Kilree Celtic 4 Ridge Rangers 1

KILREE HAD victory over a shadow Rangers side, who were missing a number of key players.

Celtic took an early lead when Martin Darcy headed in a Danny Darcy corner on twelve minutes. Adrian Brennan came to Rangers rescue when he made a couple of good and vital saves from Brian Darcy and John Dowling. Ridge came a little more into the game in the second quarter with James Dunne and Barry Amond forcing good saves from the Kilree 'keeper, David Dowling. The home side were to increase their lead on 37 minutes, John Dowling freeing Brian Darcy to score and leave them 2-0 up at the break.

Rangers tried their hardest to get back into the game but were denied by Dowling who save well fro Sean Dunne and Patrick Meaney. Kilree then went 3-0 up, Martin Coady headed in a Danny Darcy corner, a carbon copy of his first goal. Ridge pulled one back when Sean Dunne scored from a free kick on 81 minutes but Celtic had the last say when Stephen Brennan volleyed home before the end.

Andrew Townsend, John Dowling, Brian and Danny Darcy stood out for Kilree. Top from a much depleted Ridge squad were Ciaran Nolan, Aidan O'Rourke and Jamie Brennan.