Ballymoney United 0 v Lurgan Celtic 2

Belfast Telegraph Championship Division 2

Ballymoney United 0 v Lurgan Celtic 2

Ballymoney United got of to a good start against a strong wind at the Riada Stadium when as early as the 5th minute Buckley pushed a great ball into space but unfortunately no one had read the intent. Lurgan Celtic counterattacked and Ryan broke down the right and cut in on goal to be intercepted by a timely Wilkinson challenge. The game flowed from end to end and Ballymoney nearly caught the visitors defence when McKenna took a quick free kick to Craig to test Fox in the Lurgan Celtic goal. 
Ballymoney dominated the game at this stage and came close again on 20 minutes when McKenna threaded a great pass inside McVeigh to put in Christie to shoot over the visitor’s crossbar. Against the run of play Lurgan Celtic created a great chance on 25 minutes when after a good build up Campbell blasted wide. Lurgan Celtic clawed their way back into the game at this stage and Ryan had a good effort on goal just over the home crossbar. On the half hour McKenna found Buckley overlapping down the left, Buckley slipped the ball to Christie who brought a great save out of Fox in the Celtic goal. 
It was all go with half time approaching and Drainey came close for Celtic at the back post from an O’Hara free kick. Lurgan continued to press the United and Lavery brought a great save out of Moore in the home goal. With first half on the blow the best chance of the game fell to Ferry who blasted over the Lurgan Celtic crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Lurgan Celtic started the second half on the attack and Haire cracked the home crossbar with a rasping drive. Playing with the wind in their backs Ballymoney pinned the visitors back in their own half and came close on 55 minutes when Craig and Lyons combined to create a chance for Christie to bring a brilliant save out of Fox in the visitors goal. 
Lurgan Celtic came close themselves when Ryan found himself unmarked and fired a drive from close range straight at Moore in the home goal when he had more time. 
Ballymoney continued to press but could’nt find that final pass to split the visitors defence. Celtic continued to create chances and Haire saw his effort well saved by Moore on the hour. The game flowed from end to end and Ballymoney again came close when Lyons and Ferry combined to feed Christie who fired a ferocious drive well saved by Fox in the Celtic goal. When it looked like the game was heading for a draw a poor clearance from the Ballymoney defence fell to Lavery who volleyed a brilliant drive past Moore in the home goal on 75 minutes. Ballymoney responded and had a good effort by Gillan well saved by Fox on 80 minutes. The goal inspired Lurgan Celtic and they added a second goal with 5 minutes remaining when Ryan found space and blasted past Moore in the home goal.

Final Score Ballymoney United 0 Lurgan Celtic 2

Ballymoney United: Moore. Watson. Buckley. Getty. Wilkinson. McClelland. McKenna. Craig. Gillan. Ferry. Christie.

Subs: Keane. Lyons. Gaston. Ried. Smith.

Ballymoney United travel to Nortel in the Steel and Sons Cup on Saturday 8th September bus leaving the Social Club 11-30 anyone interested in travelling to the game contact the committee, limited seats available.

Charity Quiz

Caroline Taylor is running a table quiz in aid of Meningitis Research Foundation in Ballymoney United Social Club on Friday 7th September 8-00pm.

Caroline will be taking part in the Great North Run 2012 with all proceeds going to the Foundation