McCall says goal-shy United will turn the corner

Despite creating numerous chances, United were unable to convert and paid the penalty when the hosts notched the winner against the run of play.

McCall told Times Sport: “They had one break in the whole game and scored from it.

“We created chances but they are just not going in for us at the minute.

“We have been playing well and creating plenty but we need that bit of luck.

“I’m happy with the performances.

“I would be worried if we were not creating chances but that isn’t the case.

“I’ve no doubt we will turn the corner, and I’d like to think it will be sooner rather than later.”

Both teams started this fixture sizing each other up in the early stages and it was Welders who came close on five minutes when Johnston came close with a good effort.

Again on 10 minutes Johnston let fly with a ferocious drive but it was well saved by Ryan Martin in the visitor’s goal.

Ballymoney settled after this early fright and played the better football coming close when Stuart McMullan headed just over from a Gareth McLaughlin free kick.

Ballymoney dictated the pace of the game and should have taken the lead when Randal Reid headed on into the path of Mark Gillan who shot against the legs of the advancing Doherty in the home goal, the ball was cleared into the path of Todd who carried the ball unchallenged from the half way line to drive past Martin in the Ballymoney goal.

The Welders had their tails up at this stage and caused the United defence some problems with their overlapping runs, a McMurray chip to the front post was touched just wide by Todd.

Ballymoney continued to play the best football and came close when Reid headed just wide from a McLaughlin free kick. The visitors were well on top approaching half time but still without the illusive goal.

Ballymoney took control early in the second half and were enraged when a pass behind the defence was blatantly handled by Armstrong and although everyone in the ground saw it the referee didn’t allowing Welders to attack and put the United defence under pressure.

Ballymoney went straight into the attack and a great ball from McLaughlin found Reid who headed onto Mark Gillan in front of the empty goal, unfortunately Mark hit the crossbar and the chance was gone.

On a rare attack on the hour Brown let fly with a tremendous shot and brought out a brilliant save from Martin.

Ballymoney nearly committed defensive suicide when Gerald Gillan tried to carry the ball out of defence got caught and with Martin off his line caused all sorts off confusion in the United defence.

However Ballymoney weathered the storm and dominated the closing stages of the game and came close when a McLaughlin long throw found Reid who headed to Gage at the back post whose effort was scrambled wide by the Welders defence.

A great ball in by Gareth Hill was touched just wide by Reid at the front post on 80 minutes.

Ballymoney piled on the pressure and came close again when another McLaughlin cross was headed goalward by Gage but was well saved by Doherty in the Welders goal.

With time running out the visitors had another great effort from Reid saved by Doherty.

Ballymoney United: Martin. Gerald Gillan. Og Boyle. McQuitty. Gage. Stuart McMullan. Mark Gillan. Paul Keane. Reid. McClelland. McLaughlin. Subs: Gary Keane. Hill. Ryan McMullan.