Tuesday 2nd
September 7.45pm Kick off at Riada Stadium
Ballymoney United 1 - 4 Portadown
Ballymoney United bowed out of the
Co-Operative Insurance Cup at the hands of Portadown following a 4-1
defeat at the Riada Stadium.
Portadown produced a business like performance in the second leg
with goals from Kevin Braniff, Andrew Sproule, Alan Taggart and
Richard Leckey with a solitary reply from Gareth McLaughlin for
United seen Portadown win the tie overall 7-2 on aggregate.
Ballymoney started the game the brightest with a good passing game
and threatened to upset the Ports, but the early breakthrough never
came. A Gareth MCLaughlin free kick from the edge of the box was
tipped over by Miskelly in the Portadown goal and Mark Surgenor
nearly nipped in to convert an Adam McKinney cross.
The first goal on the half hour mark when Braniff stole in at the
back post to sidefoot into the bottom corner. Ballymoney continued
to press forward but were unable to force an equaliser before the
break.
On 62 minutes Portadown doubled their lead when Andrew Sproule
was on hand to tap the ball home after Boyle, Braniff and Leckey had
combined to create the chance in the area.
The only point of light relief for the Ballymoney faithful was when
referee Steven Willis realised he had left his notebook and cards in
the changing room at half time and had to dispatch Ian Rosborough to
retrieve them.
Portadown at this stage were well in control and added to their
advantage on 83 minutes when sub Taggart fired straight through a
host of bodies and into the far corner of Wilson's net.
Ballymoney did get on the score sheet on 87 minutes when Aidan O
Kane's cross found Adam McKinney unmarked at the far post, Adam
fired his shot into the ground and over the stranded Miskelly where
Gareth McLaughlin was on hand to nod home from two yards. The
Portadown defence claimed for offside but Willis pointed to the
centre spot and the goal was given, but even then it took the
stadium announcer a few minutes to realise the goal was actually
given.
No sooner had United got their goal when Portadown restored their 3
goal advantage when Richard Leckey beat the offside trap, cut inside
Mark Surgenor and fired low into the corner.
3
YELLOW CARDS 
RED CARDS 
