Astute United Foyle Premier side

Institute 1 Ballymoney United 1

JOE McCall praised his players after a depleted Ballymoney United held Premiership side Institute in the fifth round of the JJB Sports Irish Cup on Saturday.

The visiting Championship side gave as good as they got in the 1-1 draw and McCall can’t wait for Wednesday night’s replay.

“It was a super performance by the boys,” said McCall afterwards.

“Institute is a difficult place to come to, they always put you under pressure but I felt we coped well with it.

“The goal we conceded, from my point of view, was a bad one.

“But for us to come to Institute and play the way we did, I’m really pleased.

“I also think it’s a good advert for the Championship and it shows we aren’t too far behind the senior clubs.”

Despite being the underdogs in this tie the Ballymoney youngsters rallied to the cause not for the first time this season, a credit to the depth of Joe McCall’s squad and young local talent.

The game was evenly fought in the early stages and the visitors showed they were not there to make up the numbers when McLaughlin broke down the left and cut inside Holmes to unleash a fierce drive well saved by Cullen in the home goal.

Both teams were attacking and counter attacking and Institute found Martin on top form in the visitor’s goal when he brought of a great save from Ramsey.

With both defences in control Institute piled on the pressure approaching half time and but for the agility of Martin in the visitors’ goal Brown would surely have scored.

Ballymoney weathered the storm and on the half time whistle could have scored themselves when McLaughlin let fly with a rasping drive well saved Cullen.

Half time: Institute 0 Ballymoney United 0

Ballymoney started the second half in sprightly fashion and five minutes into the half a lost cause pass was chased by Mark Gillan who controlled the ball composed himself rounded the keeper and slid the ball into the net at the back post from an impossible angle much to the delight of his team mates and travelling supporters alike.

Institute resorted to route one football lumping everything at the in form Ballymoney defence and it was a great tackle from Hill that ended one of these attacks.

Ballymoney attacked on the break on the hour and were denied by Cullen in the home goal when he handed the ball outside the box, Keane struck the free kick just over.

Ballymoney introduced Og Boyle and McGarry making his first team debut to the fray to replace the injured McKenna and Maybin.

Institute once again upped the tempo and found Martin in top form bringing of a series of great saves to keep the visitors on top. Scott came on for the injured McQuitty on 75 minutes

With time running out for the home team and an upset on the cards a free kick on 83 minutes by Ramsey was half cleared to Holmes who volleyed the ball onto the ground making it bounce awkwardly over the advancing Martin and into the net for a somewhat flukey equaliser.

Institute once again piled on the pressure and again were thwarted by Martin in the Ballymoney goal.

Final score: Institute 1 Ballymoney United 1

Ballymoney United: Martin. McQuitty. Wilkinson. Hill. Denver Gage. Maybin. McKenna. Mark Gillan. McCloskey. McLaughlin. Gary Keane. Subs Scott. McGarry. Og Boyle

The JJB Irish Cup replay will be at the Riada Stadium on Wednesday night. Kick off at 7.45pm.

Ballymoney United are at home on Saturday 23rd January v Queens University in the Intermediate Cup at the Riada Stadium 1.30pm kick off.