Tuesday 21
April 7.45pm Kick off at Dixon Park
Ballyclare Comrades 1 v Ballymoney United 1
A late equaliser denied Ballyclare Comrades a much needed victory after an improved performance against Ballymoney United at Dixon Park.
The first half of the match was a fairly scrappy affair with little incident. The visitors started marginally the brighter and with the ball in the air a lot, their extra height gave them the better of the early exchanges. Despite this, both defences were well on top, with neither side able to muster much in the way of chances. Comrades’ defence certainly looking to be benefiting from the return of some experienced heads and kept Ballymoney’s strikers at arms length.
After the early stages the game settle into an even pattern with little between the sides. The first chance of any sort fell to Comrades in the 18th minute. Darren Nelson and Mark Craig linked up on the edge of the box and Craig then stuck a low shot a yard wide of the post, having made space for the effort.
There was little to get excited about in the rest of the half, with the ball in the air far too much for there to be any flow to the play. The visitors did produce a good strike on goal on 42 minutes, when Nicholl turned and shot from 19 yards, but Paddy Flood was well placed to save. Otherwise, there was little to worry either keeper.
The second half was a much livelier affair and it was Comrades who set the pace for much of it, with some good attacking football.
On 51 minutes, the impressive youngster Marty McAvoy hit a firm shot from 20 yards, which keeper Smyth was well positioned to save.
However, on the hour, the Ballymoney keeper could do nothing as McAvoy sent in a teasing low cross from the right side of the box, which Surgenor sliced into his own net from 7 yards, under pressure from Mark Craig.
Comrades now looked the more dangerous side, whilst still maintaining solidity at the back to counter the Ballymoney threat. Indeed Paddy Flood had little to do for most of the half.
Ballymoney, however, were also giving evidence of their impressive defensive record, but had to work hard to keep the lively Comrades from getting chances.
On 70 minutes, a deep Andy Simms free-kick into the box found the head of Mark Craig, but his effort, under pressure from 8 yards out, went over the bar.
Then, five minutes later, Marty McAvoy produced a good shot from 20 yards, which Smyth had to scramble clear.
Comrades looked fairly comfortable at the back until the dying stages of the game when Ballymoney began to press strongly.
On 86 minutes a ball played into the box from the right caused panic and a mad scramble ensued. However, the visitors could not put the ball home and it was cleared to safety by Evan Forsythe.
Just as Comrades fans were preparing to celebrate a vital win, Ballymoney struck with a late leveller on 89 minutes.
Comrades’ season long weakness at corners was again exposed as a ball in from the left found Reid at the far post and he headed in from 5 yards out.
9
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