Ballymacash Thirds claim the cup with extra-time winner

Ballymacash Rangers Thirds lifted the Whiteside Memorial Cup after an extra-time winner but Moira Albion Seconds pushed them all the way.
Ballymacash Rangers Thirds lift the Whiteside Memorial Cup after an extra-time 2-1 victory over Moira Albion Seconds.Ballymacash Rangers Thirds lift the Whiteside Memorial Cup after an extra-time 2-1 victory over Moira Albion Seconds.
Ballymacash Rangers Thirds lift the Whiteside Memorial Cup after an extra-time 2-1 victory over Moira Albion Seconds.

K. Campbell scored the winner in extra time following a defensive mix-up by Moira to send Ballymacash into raptures.

Ballymacash had started the game the better of the two sides and put huge pressure on the Moira defence.

They didn’t give them any time on the ball and this led to a number of good chances for the Lisburn side but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing saw the score remain 0-0.

The high pressing by Ballymacash eventually reaped reward as they won the ball high up the pitch and slipped a good ball through to N. Friers who nduly stroked it into the bottom corner.

The goal seemed to wake Moira Albion up and they began to keep possession better and offered a real threat on the counter attack.

Moira spurned a number of good goalscoring opportunities before claiming the equaliser.

Ballymacash failed to properly clear a free kick from a wide area and the ball fell to Neville Gorman.

His shot squeezed past the Ballymacash goalkeeper who couldn’t do enough to divert it around the post.

The match drifted towards extra-time as the heavy rian made it difficult for any passing football to be played.

The winner for ‘Cash came as Moira Albion failed three times to clear a long ball forward and allowed K. Campbell to bring it down and lash it home.

Moira pushed for an equaliser and their best chance came as Craig Sterling’s free kick was tipped over the bar.

The final whistle went and the celebrations began in earnest as Ballymacash Captain Ian Walker claimed the man of the match award before lifting the trophy to loud cheers from one hundred strong crowd.

This cup success caps a great season for Ballymacash Thirds who are also waiting on the outcome of an appeal to discover whether they won the South Antrim Football League Second Division.