Saturday 13
September 2.30pm Kick off at Crystal Park
Banbridge Town 1 - 1 Ballymoney United
Played in
first class conditions Ballymoney were forced to field a completely
different team from normal with a number of first team players
injured it was time for the Colts to show what they could do.
Banbridge nearly opened the scoring when McVeigh hammered a fierce
shot on nine minutes but it was well saved by Wilson in the
visitor’s goal.
With game flowing debut boy McKenna let fly with a great shot from
twenty yards Wilton in goal could only parry the ball into the path
of Nicholl who couldn’t control the rebound and allowed Banbridge to
clear the danger.
On the half hour McLaughlin rounded Trainor and out paced the home
defence to send in a dangerous cross causing all sorts of problems
in defence Brady eventually clearing.
Ballymoney nearly sneaked the lead on forty minutes when a Nicholl
free kick skimmed the post with Wilton well beaten.
Another free kick just before half time by McKinney was headed
goalward by Surgenor only to be cleared of the line by Brady with
goal keeper Wilton again powerless.
The game continued as the first had ended with Ballymoney on the
attack and came close once again from a McKinney free kick this time
pushed round the post for a corner on the hour.
McLaughlin’s corner was met by Surgenor at the back post but his
header was well saved by Wilton.
With both teams playing open attacking football it was Banbridge who
broke the deadlock on eighty minutes when a speculative clearance
found McVeigh unmarked one on one with
Wilson, McVeigh kept his composure and lobbed the advancing keeper
to open the scoring in favour of the home team.
Ballymoney with four Colts on the pitch at this stage continued to
attack and were rewarded for their efforts in the eighty fifth
minute when a McLaughlin free kick into the danger area was headed
into his own goal by Quinn.
With minutes on the clock the visitors pressed for the winner but
the home defence held firm till the final whistle.
YELLOW CARDS 
RED CARDS 
SUBS REPLACING NUMBER
GOALS
SCORED
