United lose at home

Championship Division 2

Ballymoney United 0

Queens 2

BOTH teams got off to a nervous start sizing each other up and there were no chances of worth in the first 20 minutes until Vernon brought a good save out of debut boy Moore in the home goal.

The game was played at a frantic pace and McKenna came close shooting just over on the half hour.

Ballymoney started to control the game and came close from a corner McMullan heading just wide.

Queens counter attacked and but for a timely tackle from Gilmore Lavery could have made Ballymoney pay.

With half time approaching Buckley went on a mazy run for the home team and brought a cracking save from Duff in the Queens goal failing to hold the ball but recovered to save the rebound.

Ballymoney gave away a free kick practically on the half time whistle and as Donnelly hit a superb free kick the home wall broke giving Moore in goal no chance with a rasping drive, 1-0 half time against the run of play.

Ballymoney couldn’t have got off to a worse start to the second half as Queens broke straight from the centre and Allison got round the back of the defence and crossed low for Keenan to drive past Moore for their second goal.

Ballymoney kept their composure and came close on the hour when a good move saw McKenna shoot just over.

It was all Ballymoney at this stage but a very resolute Queens’s defence held out closing out Gerald Gillan and Christie in subsequent attacks.

The game was still being played at a hectic pace but the home team could not break down the visitor’s rearguard.

On a rare Queens attack with time running out Ballymoney nearly conceded a third when Lavery was found unmarked by Tumilty and it was only a great save from Moore that prevented a further score.

Ballymoney United 0 Queens 2

Ballymoney United: Moore. Scott. McMullan. Buckley. Wilkinson. McKenna. Keane. Gilmore. Brace. Mark Gillan. Gerald Gillan. Subs: McClelland. McLernon. Christie.