mcilveen the penalty hero

After a good move by the home team, Dempsey tested McIlveen in the visitor’s goal with a great drive, but the keeper made a good save.

Ballymoney settled and came close on 11 minutes when McKenna shot wide with goals at his mercy.

Glebe mounted a promising attack on 19 minutes but Nicholl lost control at a crucial moment to let the home team off the hook.

From this moment Glebe upped the tempo and came close on 25 minutes when McVicker found Moore in the home goal perfectly positioned to thwart his effort.

The game was now a fairly equal affair approaching half time with both teams having their share of attacks. The home team had a scare on 43 minutes when Nicholl broke through but steered his effort wide of the Ballymoney post.

Glebe had a perfect start to the second half taking the lead on 48 minutes through Kennoway. The game became a dull midfield affair with neither team dominating.

Jennings came close for Ballymoney on the hour but his effort was well saved by McIveen in the visitor’s goal. The game continued to swing from end to end and Ballymoney were rewarded on 70 minutes when Jennings looped a header over McIlveen from a McKenna corner.

Ballymoney had a good chance on 83 minutes when Dickson broke down the right and shot across McIlveen in the visitor’s goal only to see his attempt deflect off the keeper’s foot and back into play.

With time running out Ballymoney were awarded a penalty and Jennings stepped up to blast goal ward only to see his effort well saved by McIlveen to leave it all square at the death.

Ballymoney Utd: Moore, Brown, Dempsey, Hugh Og Boyle, Craig, Hanna, Dickson, Moore, McClelland, Jennings, McKenna, Bradley. Subs: Connor, Moore, Con Og Boyle, McAuley, O’Hare, Coyle.