Braidmen suffer at hands of Campbellians

There were no delusional thoughts coming into this match that would make Ballymena think that it would be an easy match and indeed this proved to be the case as a superior side soundly beat them four goals to nil.

The Braidsiders started the match in good form retaining possession in the midfielders with Andy Bell and Simon Law teaming up well to feed the forwards of Mo Vergee and Victor Orr.

Ballymena pushed early for the first goal to put the pressure on the inexperience of Campbellians however the gamble did not work as a quick counterattack put the home side ahead early in the first half.

Ballymena tightened up its defence with superior efforts from David McDonald and Chris Hogg in the centre cutting out many of the Campbellians attacking plays leading to frustration amongst the homesides forwards.

Attacking play from George Tumilson from the back, combining with Mark Johnson in the early stages provided depth to the attack as aerials stretched the Campbellian defence.

At halftime Ballymena were satisfied with their performance as they were within striking distance of the home side.

However, it was not the one sided affair that the scoreline suggests. Campbellians created their own luck in the second half and created three goals from scrappy play in front of goal.

Circumstances beyond the control of the Ballymena players contributed to the scoreline as Ballymena lost two key players within ten minutes as Paddy McKeown became subject to a recurring injury and Mark Johnson was taken to hospital after being stuck in the head with a stick, leaving the visiting side shorthanded on the bench for the rest of the match.

Yet, Ballymena can be proud of their performance as they gave a great performance which was not lacking in effort from any of the players.

Ballymena: G Shaw, G Tumilson, C Hogg, D McDonald (Capt), R Smyth, M Johnson, S Law, A Bell, T Alexander, M Vergee, V Orr, P McKeown, W Barr.

Man of the Match: Chris Hogg.