Ballymoney pay price for red card

Ballymoney keeper Bryan Moore was given his marching orders on 20 minutes for handling outside the box and the 10 men were unable to hold out for the rest of the game.

After battling bravely and playing good football, Ballymoney were beaten 1-0.

It was the second time this season that the visitors’ keeper was dismissed for a handball offence.

And luck was to again desert Ballymoney as the only goal scored was an unfortunate OG.

On 60 minutes Toon defender Chris Wilkinson put the ball into his own net after a dangerous cross into the box.

Despite seeing another red card brandished to his side, manager Paul Gaston was pleased with his side’s performance.

He said: “The boys on Saturday gave everything they had and were excellent.

“They just played the game and kept their heads.

“We played well on Saturday, the players deserve the credit.

“A few boys also got good scoring chances.”

Midfielder Paul Keane, who had suffered a bad leg injury at the turn of the year, made a welcome return to the side but had to go between the posts following the keeper’s second yellow card.

As it was Ballymoney’s second last game of the season, Gaston gave a few fringe players a run out.

Connor Reid from the reserves impressed upfront when he came on in the second half, while Daniel Laverty also did his growing reputation no harm.

Another injured player, Willie Wilkinson, also made a comeback and reserve player Keith Thompson also shined

This Saturday Ballymoney take on third-placed Knockbreda in Belfast.

They will be looking to sign off the season in style with an impressive scalp.

However three points won’t be able to lift Ballymoney above ninth spot in the Championship Two.