Bannsiders top scorers in Bet McLean Cup ties

First Round night in the BetMcLean Cup rarely fails to provide a healthy dose of goals, shocks and talking points – and the 2025/26 version proved to be no exception!

Two Premiership sides exited the competition at the first hurdle, with Carrick Rangers going down by the odd goal in five away to Championship opponents Armagh City.

Paul Heatley had edged Stephen Baxter’s side in front early on, but Igor Rutkowski hit back for the Eagles soon after.

Scott McCann then tipped the balance in City’s favour before Stephen Teggart added a third just after the half-hour mark.

Nedas Maciulaitis pulled one back just before the break but despite playing the last half-an-hour with ten men Shea Campbell’s charges held on to claim the win.

They will be joined in the last 16 by Stuart King’s Newry City who accounted for Portadown at the Showgrounds.

Lee Newell bagged what proved to be the only goal of the game just past the hour with a header in off an upright.

It was also a huge night for Strabane Athletic on their debut in the competition after they got past Loughgall at Lakeview Park after extra-time.

Strabane led at the break thanks to Sean McCallion’s opener but Darragh Stewart knocked home an equaliser for the Villagers early in the second half.

Oisin Duffy restored the visitors’ advantage later in the game only for Kirk McLaughlin to hit Loughgall’s second with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

That was how it stayed until a few minutes from the end of extra-time when Cathal McShane hit the winner for Strabane.

There were also some eyebrows raised at Mill Meadow as Moyola Park hit three goals without reply past the so far undefeated Championship leaders Annagh United.

Kenneth Kane kicked the scoring off during the opening exchanges before David Parkhouse – who had hit a hat-trick in the preliminary round – knocked home a brace to put the game beyond reach.

Coleraine were top scorers on the night with an eight-goal haul past Dollingstown at Planters Park, while Larne hit seven on the road away to Dergview with Kobei Moore and Tiarnan O’Connor both helping themselves to a hat-trick each.

There was also a hat-trick at the Blanchflower Stadium as Senan Devine went home with the match ball following his part in HW Welders’ six-goal victory over near neighbours Dundela.

Holders Cliftonville kicked off their defence with an ultimately comfortable 4-1 defeat of Coagh United at Solitude while Bangor recorded the same scoreline as they accounted for Lisburn Distillery at Clandeboye Park.

Ballymena United and Glentoran edged past Ballinamallard United and Institute respectively while Crusaders had too much in the tank for Ballymacash Rangers at Seaview.

It's been a tough season for Glenavon so far but they were provided with some respite thanks to goals from Francely Lomboto and Joshua Kee helping them see off Warrenpoint Town at Milltown, while Ruaidhri Donnelly found the net twice as Newington defeated Limavady United.

The round concludes on Wednesday evening as Dungannon Swifts travel to take on Ards, kick-off 7:45pm.