Saturday 14
March 2.30pm Kick off at Inver Park
Larne
2 v
Ballymoney United 1
Ballymoney United started well at Inver
Park and had the better of the early exchanges.
A fantastic pass from McLernon on 20 minutes found Kearney whose
powerful shot could only be parried by Nesson in the home goal back
to Reid making his first
app
earance
of the season for the visitors, Reid failed to control and the
chance was gone.
However on the half hour Reid made amends when he controlled a
Hadden cross on the back edge of the 18 yard line cut in and
unleashed a fierce shot into the back corner giving Neeson no chance
and a well deserved lead for the visitors.
Ballymoney continued to dominate the game at this stage playing
attractive possession football, but couldn't get the elusive second
goal.
A speculative shot from White caused Smyth no problems in the
Ballymoney goal on 40 minutes.
With half time approaching Larne nearly got a shock equaliser when a
Reid free kick rattled Smyth's crossbar with the keeper well beaten.
Ballymoney continued to dominate the second half and nearly went
further ahead when a great McLernon run and pass found Gilmore whose
effort was well saved by Neeson.
Larne counter attacked through Rafferty but McQuitty covered the
danger to thwart the threat on the visitor’s goal.
On the hour a great run down the right by Nicholl resulted in a very
good pass to McLernon who squandered the half chance.
On the next attack it was Ried who shot just wide with Neeson well
beaten.
With Ballymoney well on top on Hadden attacked down the right and
sent in perfect cross for the advancing McLernon who waited for the
bounce and cracked a ferocious volley against the crossbar with
Neeson well beaten and waving at fresh air the rebound fell to
Kearney who was caught unawares and couldn't finish.
On a rare Larne attack on 75 minutes a cross from Fallon was not
cleared by the visitors defence and the ball fell to Reid in nearly
the same position as his Ballymoney namesake in the first half and
scored an almost identical goal giving the unsighted Smyth no chance
for the Larne equaliser completely against the run of play.
It was now time for the referee to take over and change the whole
pattern of the game sending off Hagen for Larne for abusive language
on 80 minutes.
On 85 minutes a speculative cross from Larne to edge of the box was
being dealt with by Hill when he was obstructed by Rafferty who
subsequently went down like a sack of spuds when contact was made
and much to the amazement of the travelling fans a penalty was
given.
Bryne scored from the penalty spot to give Larne a totally
undeserved lead.
Ballymoney pinned Larne back for the remaining five minutes but
couldn't salvage anything from a game they had dominated from start
to finish.
9
YELLOW CARDS 
RED CARDS 
BALLYMONEY MAN OF THE
MATCH
