United on cloud nine

Ballymoney United 5 v 4 LoughgallBALLYMONEY United manager Joe McCall has challenged his players to secure a top six finish this season following their 5 v 4 win over Loughgall on Saturday.

United currently sit in sixth spot in Championship 1 and McCall is eager to maintain that position - or better it - come the end of the season.

Speaking to Times Sport on Monday, McCall said: "Saturday's match was something else. The result was excellent.

"I think we are good value for the top six to be honest.

"We have secured our position in the league for next season but now I want us to show how good we are in the remaining games.

"If we could finish in the top six it would be an unbelievable achievement given the teams we are up against and the fact this has been somewhat of a transitional period for the side."

Saturday saw a fantastic game of football at The Riada Stadium with both teams creating chances early on, however it was the home team who opened the scoring on eight minutes when a Gareth McLaughlin free kick put in Nicholl whose shot goalward was parried by Robinson in the visitors' goal into the path of Hill who made no mistake to give Ballymoney the lead.

Ballymoney dominated this period of the game and went 2-0 up when a McLaughlin corner was headed in at the back post by Wilkinson.

Loughgall attacked straight from the centre and caught Ballymoney and the linesman unawares when McDowell and Baker combined to score what looked like an offside goal on 15 minutes.

Ballymoney went back on the attack and Gerard Gillan could have added to the score one on one with Robinson but didn't get enough on his lob. Another attack down the right saw McLaughlin's cross headed just over by Denver Gage.

It was all Ballymoney at this stage and Nicholl broke through and brought another great save from Robinson. The home team were rewarded on the half hour when a brilliant free kick by Nicholl was met with such power by Denver Gage running into the box that Loughgall keeper Robinson didn't see it 3-1 Ballymoney.

At this stage of the game the camera men in the home half decided to move where the action was and were soon in action when Nicholl got round the back of the visitors defence and saw his shot parried into the path of Mark Gillan this time to make the score 4-1.

The home team were on fire as half time approached creating chance after chance Denver Gage coming closest with another great header with Loughgall surprisingly on the ropes.

Half Time Ballymoney United 4 Loughgall 1

Loughgall made their intentions clear straight from the start of the second half with substitutions made they went on the attack and pulled a goal back on 55 minutes when McDowell broke through to shoot for Martin in the home goal to bring off a brilliant save but saw the rebound fall to Adair who made no mistake 4-2.

Ballymoney were now on the defensive as Loughgall upped the tempo creating chance after chance as Ballymoney had done in the first half. It was all Loughgall at this stage of the game with Moffett coming close on the hour another great save from Martin in the home goal now the busiest player on the pitch.

Ballymoney were not the threat they were in the first half and resorted to some hectic defending as Loughgall pushed for goal.

The visitors got a third when Martin pushed a corner onto the crossbar and Adair was on hand to volley the rebound into the roof of the net 4 - 3 on 75 minutes.

The visitors now had there tails up and once again upped the tempo in search of the equaliser which came on 80 minutes courtesy of a penalty following a corner which Ballymoney frantically tried to clear McQuitty could only handle the ball at the post with Martin beaten to prevent the visitors from scoring.

Evans made no mistake from the spot kick crashing the ball past Martin for the equaliser.

With the home team down to 10 men it was all hands to the pump as the visitor pushed for the winner and again the Ballymoney defence was put under pressure scrambling away corner after corner with Martin again in the middle of the action bringing of several great saves to keep the home team in contention.

The final twist in the game came with time running out and a draw looking eminent, Ballymoney cleared their lines and found McLernon who picked out Gerard Gillan to combine with Paul Keane who found Mark Gillan unmarked on the edge of the Loughgall box Gillan took his time a drove the ball low to Robinson's left for a superb goal much to the dismay of the visitors bench and to the delight of the home fans.

Ballymoney United: Martin. Richie. Wilkinson. McQuitty. Hill. Paul Keane. McLaughlin. Denver Gage. Gerard Gillan. Mark Gillan. Nicholl. Subs: McKenna. McClelland. McLernon.

Ballymoney United v Carrick Rangers Tuesday 13 April 7.45pm kick off.

Banbridge Town v Ballymoney United Saturday 17 April

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