Ballymoney are through to quarter-finals of cup after big away victory

THIS big away success put Ballymoney into the quarterfinals of the Intermediate Cup and not even getting caught in a traffic jam on the way to the match could derail United’s ambitions in the tournament.

The weather conditions meant there was a late decision on the match going ahead and the United team got caught up in traffic - as did the ref.

The game started 15 minutes late but Ballymoney were not to be denied.

Ballymoney surviv ed an early scare when they conceded a penalty but it was saved.

Declan McGarry put Unitd 1-0 up and although Queen’s were playing a strong wind at their backs Ballymoney went in ahead at the break.

With the elements behind them Ballymoney took control in the second half and Gerald Gillan grabbed two to put United three goals ahead.

Queens pulled a goal back and any chances they had of getting back into the game were snuffed out when Conleth McCaughan scored Ballymoney’s fourth goal.

* This weekend (3pm on Saturday) there is a big local derby when Ballymoney play town rivals Glebe Rangers.

With both sides playing well lately it is sure to be a competitive match.

Going into tonight’s (Tuesday’s) match away to Wakehurst, which was rearranged from Saturday, Glebe were unbeaten since rhe return of boss Peter Cairns.

GLEBE LOTTO

* Glebe Rangers FC lotto, winning numbers 13, 19, 20. No winners. Next week’s jackpot £600

* DUNLOY WIN SEVEN GOAL THRILLER AT HOME TO DESERTMARTIN

DUNLOY FC 4 DESERTMARTIN 3

Even with the inclement weather the surface at Dunloy was in very good condition and with the teams re-scheduling the game themselves at short notice it got another game played highlighting what good co-operation can achieve.

Desertmartin went in front on the 7th minute with Mark Shields scoring after a good move.

Both teams then had a chance or two after this before John John McFerran scored on the 30th minute for Dunloy putting the team’s level at half-time.

Desertmartin went in front for a second time on the 60th minute with a good goal scored by James Johnson then Dunloy levelled for a second time when Chris Smiley scored on the 78th minute.

Dunloy then took a strong hold in the game after John John McFerran scored his second goal on the 82nd minute and Conor Reid scored with a well directed free kick on the 84th minute setting Desertmartin a hard task to save the game.

Desertmartin never gave up reducing the deficit on the 90th minute when Mark Shields scored his second goal in the game but time then ran out leaving Dunloy winning an excellent game of football by the odd goal in seven.

SEVEN’S LEAGUE COMES TO BALLYMONEY

Ballymoney Borough Council’s Sport Development Unit launched its latest soccer programme on Monday at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.

The Ballymoney Soccer 7’s League is a community soccer initiative for young adults (boys/girls) 14-15yrs in the Borough.

The project is the brainchild of John Fall (Ballymoney Sports Officer) and has attracted funding from Ballymoney Community Safety Partnership.

The league will be based at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre Astro-Turf starting on Friday 7th March 2014 and will run on a Friday night for 4 weeks, 6pm – 8.30pm.

It is hoped to attract 8 teams to participate and that it will involve young teams from across the Ballymoney Borough.

The matches will be officiated by fully qualified referees.

Each team consists of 9 players; with only 7 on the pitch at any one time, substitutions will be on a rolling basis.

This new initiative is yet another example of the Sports Development Unit’s hard work and dedication to sport in the Borough.

John Fall, Sports Development Officer, said: “It has taken months of careful planning to get this project off the ground.

“I am confident it will prove to be a massive success when it begins in March.

“We are delighted that the unit has managed to secure significant funding from Ballymoney Community Safety Partnership to assist with the financial costs of such a programme”.

The main aim of the project is to tackle anti-social behaviour amongst teenagers by providing the participants with something exciting to do in the evening and thus reduce their opportunities of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

After consultations between Ballymoney Community Safety Partnership and the local PSNI Neighbourhood Police Team it was apparent that anti-social behaviour takes place in the Ballymoney Borough and so this initiative is a positive response to help tackle this problem.

John Fall added: “The borough has initiatives already in place for children of primary school age but the 14-15years old age group needed to be addressed.

“After consulting with community representatives and the PSNI this age group was identified as that most likely to be involved in anti social behaviour and a Friday night was the most likely night when this would occur”.

John also stressed that setting up this programme would not have been possible without generous support from Ballymoney Community Safety Partnership.

If you are interested in taking part or for further information and registration forms please contact:

John Fall, Sport Development Officer, Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre

Tel: 028 27660271.

Entries close on Friday 28th February 2014.

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