Mooney shines for BB

A virtuoso display by man of the match Calvin Mooney set this tie alight. His goal after only four seconds must rank as the quickest ever goal not only in this competition but in association football.

The Waterside men got off to a dream start with a breath taking effort straight from the kick off by ex-Institute player, Calvin Mooney.

Referee David Topping signalled for the game to start and Mooney was alert to notice the visitors goalkeeper, Jonathan Main, was at the edge of his penalty area. Mooney hit a cracking shot from the halfway line that flew over Mains’ despairing dive and into the net.

This sparked off wild celebrations for BB with every team member rushing to congratulate the striker.

This signalled a hectic opening ten minutes with Ballyvea visibly stunned by the opener. It could have been two after only three minutes with Mooney crashing his shot off the crossbar after some clever midfield play from Nicky Cooke.

Ballyvea struggled to cope with the pace of BB’s attacking play and could only muster one shot in the first 20 minutes from Andrew Mullan, that sailed harmlessly wide.

The home side were relentless in their pursuit of more goals and Mooney’s pace and movement was causing all kinds of problems for the team from Newcastle and Districts Premier League.

A 14th minute free kick from the right was met by a powerful header from Gareth Smith but Main produced a fantastic save to deny the defender.

A minute later and BB added their second from the penalty spot, Mooney played in Gary Harris and he was hauled to the ground by David McConnell and referee, Topping pointed to the spot. Ballyvea were incensed at the decision believing the foul occurred outside the box but the official got it right.

Mooney stepped up and in fine Andrea Pirlo style he cheekily chipped his shot into the centre of the goal taking advantage of Main’s early dive to his right.

Mooney then had two great chances to grab a first half hat-trick for his new club.

In the 27th minute he raced clear only to fire his shot narrowly over. Four minutes later and excellent strike from 18 yards was brilliantly saved by Main.

The first half was nearing the end when Ballyvea finally realised they were in a cup game. A shot from Mark McConnell was deflected wide by Moore. From the resulting corner kick Mark Haugh’s effort was easily gathered by home keeper Jack Glenn.

Ballyvea started brightly in the second half and pressured the home defence.

They reduced the arrears in the 48th minute from the penalty spot, BB’s Johnny Moore was rushing back to defend and inexplicably handled inside the area, again the referee got this big call right.

Matthew Johnston elected to hit his shot with power into the top corner. At long last Ballyvea sensed some hope but this was crushed seconds later.

Straight from the restart BB regained their two goal advantage when Clarke, Dougherty and Harris all exchanged passes before finding Mooney just outside the box, he turned his marker and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner to complete a memorable hat-trick.

BB got their fourth from a set piece when a free kick from the left was sent over by Dougherty with Gareth Smith rising highest at the back post and his header found Harris who applied the finish from close range.

Ballyvea battled on in vain hope with Johnston firing over from a corner kick. Vea substitute Philip McConnell tested Glenn twice but the young net minder was equal to both efforts.

BBOB completed the rout late on as Harris was played in by Mooney and he rounded Main to tap into an unguarded goal to highlight a terrific home performance by Don Olphert’s side.

BBOB: Jack Glenn, Stuart Moore, Jonathan Henderson, Calvin Mooney, Stephen Dougherty, Ross Clarke, Johnny Moore, Nicky Cooke, Paddy Cunnigham, Gareth Smith, Gary Harris. Subs: Craig Riddles, Alan Johnstone, Victor Dougherty, Alister Pomeroy.

Ballyvea: Jonathan Main, Matthew Johnston, Keith Hanna, Jeffrey Stewart, David McConnell, Mark Haugh, Andrew Mullan, Brian White, Peter Meelham, Mark McConnell, Peter Thompson. Sub: Philip McConnell.

Referee: David Topping.