News

The game started with a ferocious pace. A well struck shot from a Hibs player was superbly saved by Down keeper Matthew Davidson. Then after a dodgy moment in the Down defence Fraser Murray almost put the Scottish outfit in front, but he was smothered by Davidson. Then soon after, Down almost opened the scoring themselves, Niall Cassidy’s header looping agonisingly over the bar. Hibs then broke in numbers but Gullan was hauled down in the attacking third before seeing his dead ball effort drift wide. Hibs clearly settled quicker and Down were limited to shots from distance. None of which troubled Jordan Brown in the Hibs goal. There were limited clear cut chances in the half with neither side being able to get the ball down and dictate the play. As the half drew to a close Down were finishing it the strongest. Some neat play on the edge of the box seen a ball slipped through the defence but the attacker was offside. Then Hibs went in front. Some nice trickery down the right flank seen Gallantes fouled by Calderwood. Gullan missed the penalty but the rebound was hammered home by Callum Donaldson. Down were looking for a swift response and almost got it but Aaron Devlin’s shot sailed over.

Brazilian outfit Osasco laboured to a 1-0 win over Ichinfuna in what proved to be a relatively tame affair on a breezy Thursday evening in Broughshane.

Vendee dispatched of Alset Colombia in a convincing fashion to earn their first win of the Salver tournament in Clough on Thursday afternoon.

Right to Dream got the ball down from the off and began to produce some slick passing football. Ponte Preta struggled to get on the ball in the early stages and this proved costly as Kamal Sowah put the Ghanaians in front with a cool post and in finish. From there on in it was all one way traffic as Right to Dream pushed for a second. Some neat play from Danso provided Antwi with the chance to cross but his effort failed to put the Brazilian defence under any pressure. As Ponte Preta tried to find their feet in the game, the won a free kick in midfield. After taking it quickly a shot from distance sailed over the bar. It wasn’t long before Right to Dream broke the Ponte Preta defence down again when Boahene lashed the ball home from close range. But it was game of soon after, some great hold up play by Wallison allowed Mateus to run from deep and stroke the ball home to make it 2-1. The game went quiet after that, the only notable attempt on goal was a Brazilian free kick from 30 yards out, the ball again sailing over the bar. Wallison should have made it 2-2 when he found himself one on one with the keeper but he dragged his effort wide. Right to Dream thought they had made it 3-1 when Caboclo’s diving header found the back of the net but he was ruled offside by the linesman.

Real Sociedad eased their way into the Premier Bowl final after a comfortable 3-0 victory over American side, Strikers. The Spanish outfit were on top from the first whistle, with captain Jon Ander Olasagasti pulling the strings in midfield.

Co Fermanagh were left to rue missed opportunities as a 10- man Right to Dream side clung on to win their first match of the tournament at Broughshane.

Higgins FC ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over County Tyrone in what proved to be an entertaining affair at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Wednesday evening.

The Brazilians have flattered to deceive in this year’s competition so far as, despite playing some neat football in their opening 2 fixtures, they had still to get a point on the board, before this evenings fixture against the host county.

Down started the match in an intense and positive manner and got their just reward after five minutes on the clock when Scott McArthur had time to fire home a lethal volley into the roof of the net.

Club America took on Belguim side KV Mechelen at Castlerock. Club America started the brighter of the sides, as Leyva Diego got into a good position but his shot was well saved by Jelle De Schoenmaken in the Mechelen goal.

Lusaka could and should have took the lead in the tenth minute when winger Chiwala Lunkoto crossed from the left to put it on a plate for Joseph Ndawa but the striker headed wide from close range.