Seconds put end to Portrush’s unbeaten home record

In a tense first half Ballymena hadn’t their sorrows to seek as a determined Portrush squad attacked in numbers and with pace.

Ballymena were equally determined in defence with sterling performances being returned by Paul and David McDowell, Dave Bradley and Alister Hanna. Certainly credit must be awarded to Paul McDowell who defiantly deflected Portrush’s first short corner off the goal line, much to the amazement of an aghast Portrush striker. As play restarted Ballymena were back to full strength, courtesy of a patched up Bradley and with the wind in their sails they easily looked the stronger of the two sides. A short time later the visitors were awarded a short corner in the Portrush circle, thanks in no small measure to the efforts of Bradley himself.

Hanna again aimed back post and this time Brendan Wenban was on hand, with the slightest of touches, to give the visitors the lead.

Unfortunately Ballymena’s advantage was short lived as Portrush drew level again only a few minutes later forcing Ballymena to ‘dig in’ again.

It wasn’t long before Ballymena had edged in front again courtesy of Murphy who, with a mazy solo run into the circle and a blistering shot at goal left the Portrush keeper no chance of retreival.

Brendan Wenban was again wreaking havoc on the right flank and as Portrush pressed for the equaliser the combination of McDowell and Wenban proved all too much for the host’s defence. Moody and McDowell were outstanding in defence as they directed operations at the back for Ballymena.

A last gasp Portrush attempt was countered giving Ballymena another short corner on the final whistle. This time Moody’s initial shot was stopped on the line by a Portrush foot and when the umpire awarded a penalty flick, up stepped Dave Bradley to despatch the ball to the back of the net to give a jubilant Ballymena a memorable victory.

The team would like to thank Davy Lorimer for travelling to umpire.

Seconds: J. Birrell, D. McDowell, D. Bradley, P. McDowell, A. Hanna(C), D. Wenban, M. Monteith, P. Moody, W. Barr, K. Murphy, B. Wenban.

LADIES

Ballymena II 4, Bangor 1: Ballymena hosted Bangor 1st XI in a second round cup match at the Showgrounds on Saturday. This Bangor side currently resides four leagues above Ballymena so the home side were very much the underdogs.

Ballymena were in no way intimidated and from an early penalty corner, Kirsty McMaster laid the ball off to Lorna Murphy who found the back of the net to afford the hosts a an early lead.

A final push by Ballymena before half time reaped just reward, as Sarah Cundell floated down the pitch from deep in the Ballymena half laying the ball off to Nicola Greer. Clever play by Lorna Murphy kept the ball in play along the back line and an inch perfect pass to Stephanie Storey to edge Ballymena two in front as the half time whistle blew.

Early in the second half, Murphy slotted Ballymena’s third goal home, to extend their cushion to 3-0.

The visitors did manage a consolation goal in the final quarter but Aimee Logan scored Ballymena’s fourth and final goal in a stunning individual display of ball and stick coordination.

Seconds: Joanne Logan, Kirsty McMaster, Nicola Greer, Kathryn Kealey, Ashleigh Harbinson, Sarah Cundell, Zoe Dickson, Lyndsey McClintock, Aimee Logan, Lorna Murphy, Stephanie Storey, Aimee Logan, Laura Logan, Rebecca McPeake.

Ballymena IV 1, Coleraine 0: Joanne Lowrey earned Ballymena victory with the only goal of the match before half time.

Fourths: Natasha Blair, Eileen Robinson, Elizabeth McCaughan, Kristie Webin, Rebecca Morrison, Nicole Cambell, Sandra Dallas, Joanne McLarnen, Joanne Lowry, Rebecca McPeake.