The club has now got it's own facebook page.  The page will be open to anyone to read and have the latest news from around the club.

 

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Our U18s defeated Mountjoy on penalties last night at the Valley Stadium in the quarter final of the Lowry Corry Cup.  They will now play Ballinamallard next Tuesday at home in the semi final

 

The draw was made last night for the Fermanagh & Western Intermediate Cup.  It is as follows:

 

 

 

Fivemiletown United drew Nortel at home in the 1st round of the JJB Irish Cup.  The match will be played at the Valley Stadium on the 18th September.

 

Nortel are from Monkstown, Newtownabbey, just outside Belfast.  They play in Division 1A of the Northern Amateur Football League.

 

Full draw - http://www.irishfa.com/domestic/jjb-sports-irish-cup/

 

Meanwhile the Reserves have been drawn at home to Dervock in the Coca Cola Junior Cup.  Dervock is near Ballymoney and the tie will be played on the 25th September.

 

Full draw - http://www.irishfa.com/domestic/coca-cola-junior-cup/

 

Also last night our U18s defeated Lisnaskea Rovers 6-0 in the Lowry Corry Cup.  Goals from Kyle Thompson (2), Jay Little (2), Adam Stockdale and Niall Murphy.

 

 

On Saturday the Firsts hosted Coagh United Swifts in the opening round of the Marshall cup and after a sometimes feisty 90 minutes, the Town eased their way  past their Junior opposition, into the next round.

Paddy Mc Kernan, who seems to finding his form of two seasons ago taunted Coagh on the left side and as early as the fifth minute found space to tap in the opener.

Coagh levelled after 15, Addy Williamson completely miscued a clearance and steered the ball beyond the grasp of Dave Ballantine and into his own net.

Mc Kernan restored the status qou on 25 making his way past 3 coagh players before sliding the ball under the advancing keeper.

With the Town pressing  Stevie Erskine unleashed a wicked curling effort into the top right corner of the visiting goal for 3-1.

Five minutes into the second half a long Ballantine clearance evaded the Coagh rearguard and with the keeper advancing Ricki Carroll was on hand to get his toe to the ball first and poke home.

With 20 left Ivor Johnston picked out Carroll who capped a fine performance with a cracking effort from 30 yards.

Final score Fivemiletown United 5-1 Coagh United Swifts.

This was an improved outing from the Town , Ivor Johnston adding pace to the backline, Mc Kernan showed signs of improving form on the left and Carroll seemed to have had an early night on Friday night, with an alert and working 90.

MOTM Ivor Johnston.

1. Dave Ballantine 2. Addy Williamson 3. Dessie Gilmour 4. Ivor Johnston  5. Marcus Johnston 6. Eddie Davis  7. Chris Mc Dowell 8. Ricki Carroll 9. Stevie Erskine  10. Tommy Toal) 11. Paddy Mc Kernan 12. Keith Mc Vitty 13.Adam Stockdale 14.Mark Baxter. 

Seconds 3-2 Drumquin United

The Seconds opened their campaign with 6 new faces on show and if the First team game was feisty this one threatened to boil over.

A brace from Glenn Mc Guckin and a penalty from Geoff Sharpe, sealed a narrow hard fought victory in a scrappy game that could have gone either way.

The pleasing aspect was a new found steel from the young Second team which contained seven players under 18.

MOTM Glenn Mc Guckin,  with good outings from Sharpe, Matty Callaghan and Jay Little.

Shelbourne Reserves 2-1 Thirds

In another close encounter the Thirds felt aggrieved to come home pointless. Scott Hetherington was on target.

MOTM Jamie Davidson 

Killen Rangers Youth 6-1 Under 13s

In the opening round of the cup the boys bowed out to the league runners up Killen Rangers. The scoreline somewhat flattered the homesters.  But they were deserving winners and we would wish them all the best in the next round. Mark Lee was our goalscorer with Jack Rainey MOTM

Next week the Firsts entertain Crewe United, the Seconds travel to Omagh to play Dunbreen Rovers, while the Thirds host Dunbreen Rovers Reserves.

Training will be on Thursday night only this week 7.15 at the King George Playing Fields.

All players and members are reminded that membership is now due. It remains at £25 for Seniors and £15 for U18s and must be paid ASAP.

 

On Saturday the Firsts hosted Tandragee Rovers in their opening fixture in the Mid Ulster League and after an opening 55 minutes in which there was little between the teams, the Town some how contrived  up a mixture of poor defending and a lack of creativity going forward to hand the visitors all 3 points on a platter.

Rovers took the lead after 12 minutes from the spot after Keith Clarke upended a Rovers striker in the box and despite the best efforts of Dave Ballantine in goal the Town found themselves behind.

The first of 3 home bookings ensued after a Rovers winger turned inside Addy Williamson only to fire his shot wide, Ian Davis name was taken.

Two  cracking Jason Gillespie freekicks mid way through the half served warning to the visitors of the threat he posed.

Tandragee outlined their title credentials in the space of a minute. Marcus Johnston clearing off the line and Dessie Gilmour, moments later hacking another attack clear. But just before the break Gillespie again proved the outlet for the Town, going forward, diving full length to head just wide.

After the break a crude Johnston challenge gave away a second penalty. Although Ballantine saved his blushes with a good save.

The big keepers save seemed to galvinise the Town.  Straight away the long clearance picked out Gillespie who fired a sublime effort, from distance past the hapless keeper for the leveller.

The game suddenly went up a gear. Rovers forcing Balllantine into another good save. At the other end Keith Clarke fashioned an chance for Gillespie only to see his shot creep just wide of the upright.

On 63 Rovers got a soft second. Johnston was caught for pace before Williamson sliced his clearance, leaving Ballantine no chance. Johnston received the second yellow of the day for his protestations for handball.

This game was crying out for a player to support Gillespie but any hope of that disappeared with the withdrawal of Stevie Erskine and six minutes later Rovers effectively sealed the points when a lucky break in the Town box fell kindly for Rovers to grab their third.

The Town had every right to feel aggrieved about number 4 for the visitors. The Rovers striker who was narrowly offside, clipped the home from short range.

On 74 Williamson’s cross cum shot came back off the upright and Gillespie seen red for dissent over what he saw as a shout for a penalty turned down by the ref.

With Gillespie gone, so to was any chance of a revival and Rovers were left to coast home.

With seven picks not available the manager has options for the next outing. A lack of pace across the back four as does a player to take some of the weight off Gillespie’s shoulders must cause him concern after this one.

Final score Fivemiletown United 1-4 Tandragee Rovers

MOTM Dave Ballantine.

1. Dave Ballantine 2. Addy Williamson 3. Dessie Gilmour 4. Ian Davis 5. Marcus Johnston 6. Keith Clarke (Eddie Davis 74) 7. Chris Mc Dowell 8. Ricki Carroll 9. Jason Gillespie 10. Stevie Erskine (Tommy Toal 59) 11. Paddy Mc Kernan (Mark Baxter 70)

Next week the Firsts play host to Coagh United Swifts in the opening round of the Marshall Cup. The Seconds play host to Drunquin United and the Thirds travel too Shelbourne Reserves.

The Under13 team travel to Churchtown on Wednesday night for the resumption of their league campaign after the summer break and on Saturday travel again to Castlederg, this time to play league runners up Killen Rangers in the opening round of the knockout cup.

At U14 level on Tuesday 31^st the boys will host Enniskillen Town Colts in the opening round of their knockout cup.

Also on the 31^st August the Lowry Corry cup for U18s begins with an away trip to Lisnaskea Rovers Youth.

The club would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the numerous players who have joined the club over the break.

Also congratulations to the Chairman and his various helpers who organised a very successful barbeque over the summer. A much needed boost to club coffers.

All players and members are reminded that membership is now due. It remains at £25 for Seniors and £15 for U18s and must be paid ASAP.

Finally we would like to thank and welcome on board our new club sponsors, Elkin and Bennet Bathrooms and plumbing, Marcus Johnston Plumbing and The Office Repair Centre.

Their support is valuable to our club and we would encourage you to support their businesses wherever possible.

 

 

 

FIVEMILETOWN United manager, Andy Parkinson feels that, following Warrenpoint Town's departure to the Irish League and Omagh United's demise, Mid Ulster Intermediate A is a very open division this season.

 

“With two of the top five from last season gone everyone will probably be thinking they have a better chance," he observed.

“Even with Omagh and Warrenpoint gone there won't be many duds."

 

The Valley Stadium side begin their campaign on Saturday with a home fixture against one of the pre-season title favourites, Tandragee Rovers, but Parkinson isn't phased by a tough opening day fixture.

“We started last season against Warrenpoint Town, and they went on to win the title, so we've got another tough opener this year, but at least it's at home," he continued.

 

“Omagh and Warrenpoint both finished above us last season so with those two gone the likes of ourselves, Tandragee and Dollingstown will be thinking we're in with a chance.

“We're in with a chance if we can re-create what we've done over the last two seasons."

The Fivemiletown chief has been busy over the summer, adding considerably to his squad.

 

He has signed Dave Ballintine, Keith McVitty, Tommy Toal, Pat Cadden, Eoin Mooney and re-signed Eddie Davis, and his panel have enjoyed a successful pre-season,

 

“We needed a couple of extra bodies and there were areas we needed to strengthen and we've addressed that. Not everyone is available every Saturday so the additional players will give us extra strength in depth which we might not have had last season.

“We're looking forward to getting started, we've played five friendlies against Ballymoney United, Ballinamallard United, Dergview, Coagh United and Enniskillen Rangers, winning three and only losing to Ballinamallard and Dergview.

 

“You can't take too much from the pre-season results but it gave us the opportunity to try a few things, different systems and players out of position. Not everything worked but it's better to find that out before the season starts, because then it's too late," he concluded.

Fivemiletown United's home game against Tandragee Rovers kicks-off at 2.15pm on Saturday at the Valley Stadium.

 

 

 

The 1sts kick off their competetive season on Saturday with a home match against Tandragee Rovers.  Rovers along with Dollingstown are many people's favourites for the title so it should be a tough opener. 

 

Tandragee have recently appointed Steven McBride as manager.  McBride is a former Glenavon manager and during his playing career played over 600 games for Glenavon and Linfield.  He also has 4 senior caps for Northern Ireland.

 

The 1sts had their final pre-season friendly against F&W 1st Division side Enniskillen Rangers.  All the goals were in the 2nd half with Rangers taking the lead before Fivemiletown took control and scored 3 goals without reply.

 

Elsewhere the Reservces defeated Armagh Blues 1-0 away from home while the colts went down 4-1 to Lisbellaw 3rds.

 

 

The club are pleased to announce 2 new sponsors.  Marcus Johnston Plumbing & Heating will be the new 1st team sponsor while Elkin & Bennett will sponsor the 2nd team.

 

Visit Marcus' website here

 

Elkin & Bennett are plumbing merchants and can be e-mailed on info@elkinbennett.co.uk or telephoned on 028 89522303

 

We would urge all our members and supporters to support our sponsors.

 

The start of the competitive season is fast approaching.  Some of the early fixtures are:

 

Fivemiletown United v Tandragee Rovers (Sat 14th August) - League

Fivemiletown United II v Drumquin United (Sat 21st August) - League

Shelbourne Reserves v Fivemiletown United III (Sat 21st August) - League

 

 

 

The 1st team continued their impressive pre-season with a 5-3 away win against Championship 1 side Coagh United.  Goals from Jason Gillespie (2), Ricky Carroll, Stephen Erskine and Dale Noble.  Match report from Coagh website on the link below:

 

 

The 2nds beat Lisbellaw III 6-0 and the 3rds went down 4-1 to Lisnarick Reserves also on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

All three Fivemiletown teams played friendly matches on Saturday.  The 1sts went down 4-1 at the Valley Stadium to Dergview while at Fivemiletown College the 2nds lost 2-0 to Donaghmore Celtic and the 3rds drew 4-4 with Mountjoy 3rds.

 

 

The first team have had a positive start to pre-season.  On Saturday they defeated Championship Club Ballymoney 2-1 away from home.  They followed this up with a hardworking display last night against Ballinamallard, going down narrowly 1-0.

 

Next up is Dergview on Saturday with a 1pm kick off.  This is followed that evening with a club barbeque at the Valley Stadium.

 

 

 

 

 

The club is pleased to announce that the Office Repair Centre has agreed to become the sponsor of our 3rd team.

 

Based in Maguiresbridge, Office Repair Centre sells and repairs a wide range of office products.  For further information click here to visit their website.

 

 

 

 

Please note that there has been some changes to our pre season fixture list.  We will now be playing our first friendly away to Ballymoney on the 17th July.  This will be followed up with a Tuesday night friendly at home to Ballinamallard (20th July).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The club is pleased to announce that 'The Cooneen Group' have agreed to become the official sponsor of our Mini Soccer Centre.

 

Visit their websites here, here and here.

 

Pre-season Matches 

Fivemiletown United's preseason will begin with friendly matches against Irish League Championship One sides Ballinamallard (17th July) and Dergview (24th July).  Both matches will be at the Valley Stadium.

 

We have also agreed to play another Championship side, Ballymoney United, North West Intermediate side Ardstraw and newly promoted Fermanagh & Western Division 1 team Enniskillen Rangers.  The dates and locations of these matches have yet to be confirmed. 

 

 

Sunday 13th June 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday 20th May 

 

 

 

Fivemiletown United will take on Dergview in the final of the Fermanagh and Western Cup at Darragh Park, Castlederg on Friday and it is a final that United are really looking forward.

Indeed, this new competition in the Fermanagh and Western calendar may have gotten off to an inauspicious with team such as Ballinamallard not entering and Kesh pulling out but now at the final stage, its significance means a lot to a club such as Fivemiletown.

Their manager Andy Parkinson is looking forward to the final and feels it will be important for his young team to give it a real go against a Dergview side that will be hot favourites.

Andy explained: "I think we are in the final on merit having defeated Tummery and Omagh United on the way to the final and it is an important game for our club. Over the past few weeks we have introduced some young players to the team and they have done very well and Friday will be another big test."

He added: "The concept of this competition is very good and I feel they just have to get the logisitics right and it will go from strength to strength. It is about pushing players on and seeing of they can compete at a higher level of football. It is a big game for us and we want to end the season on a high. We have already lost one cup final this season but we are under no illusions that we have a tough task ahead of us against a Dergview side thatha sjust been promoted to the IFA Championship. I hope our players rise to the challenge and it will be a keenly contested game."

Fivemiletown are in the final by virtue of an easy 5-1 win over Omagh United who play in the same league as the 'Town.

Andy was delighted with that win.

"As I said, we have brought in some young players in the last few weeks and they played really well in the semi-final. It was our last home game of the season and the boys turned in an excellent performance. It did come at a cost as Jason Elliott broke an ankle and Paddy McKernan has bruised ribs. But, all in all it was a good display and we were in control from the first whistle to the last."

A large crowd created a great atmosphere for this semi-final and the home team produced their best performance of the season to ease into the final by 5-1.

A Stevie Erskine hat-trick was the highlight of a convincing win whiel Chris McDowell and Jason Gillespie from the spot secured the Town's place in the final on Friday night which kicks off at 8.00pm and should be an entertaining encounter.