Webster’s FCB claim the bragging rights in ‘Nure derby

Under new manager, Nicky Webster, following the resignation of Gordon Chambers, FC landed a rare victory against their local rivals.

In the absence of manager Gary Burns it was his assistant, Andy Forsythe, who was in charge of the Old Boys, who lost 3-2.

Striker Ronnie Burns continued in goal for Forsythe’s lads, and it was FCB who took te lead when Ben Fletcher netted in the fourth minute.

The hosts missed a fine opportunity to nose further ahead when their centre-forward fired over the bar with the net at his mercy.

Home keeper, Kyle Agnew, did well to deny Mark Leckey, and then he pulled off the most acrobatic save of the afternoon from a Mark Moore volley.

Seconds before the interval Leckey rose above the defence to connect with a Moore corner, but his header cleared the bar.

Forsythe’s side failed to take control after the break, and they fell further behind when Lee Ferguson ran through the defence to score.

Substitutes Paul Harbinson and David Higgins eventually got the Old Boys showing more urgency and Michael Duff opened their account from a David Officer corner.

In a last throw of the dice, Robinson took over in goal to allow Burns to move into the attack, but it was FCB’s Ryan Caskey who got the next goal to regain their two-goal advantage.

In reply, Harbinson reduced the deficit when he nodded home a Higgins cross, and in a tense finish Higgins, Harbinson and Burns all fired wide from favourable positions.

Ballynure OB charman, Michael Graham, said: “The heavy conditions didn’t suit our style of play, but full credit to FCB, they battled and won most of the 50-50 balls and were deserved winners on an afternoon when we were definitely off-colour.”

Ballynure OB: Burns; Penny, Robinson, M Curlett, McGreevy; Gray, Duff, Officer, Moore; Leckey, McIlroy. Subs: Harbinson, Higgins, McFall, Forsythe.

On Saturday Ballynure OB have a home league fixture against Dunloy. FC Ballynure face a trip to Desertmartin.