Ballymoney United Football Club

Tuesday 27 January 7.30pm Kick off at Shamrock Park

Portadown 0 v Ballymoney United 0

Another match full of frustration and missed chances on Tuesday night as The Ports took on Ballymoney United. After the defeat at home to Loughgall on Saturday past the focus was on trying to get back to winning ways. Unfortunately this was not to be the case as the match saw chance after chance slip away and yet again a distinct sign of lack of pace from Portadown.
The first major chance of the match came on 13 minutes, the strong tall Richard Lecky did well to keep the ball in and cross, the ball got deflected to Sproule standing all alone, Surgenor did well to close down very quickly and block the shot, Boyle then picked up and unleashed a good drive but Smyth made a great save pushing the ball wide for a corner. Portadown continued to press and on the 20 minute mark it was almost Ballymoney who took a shock when McKinney hit a great strike from the edge of the box, it dipped just over though and the danger was gone.
On 26 minutes it was The Ports again on the attack, Redman on one of his trademark bursts down the line crossed well from near the flag, Lecky did well to rise but the ball was just behind him and therefore he struggled to keep it down. It really was now becoming an end to end game with Ballymoney creating a great opening after 36 minutes when McLaughlin rounded the home keeper but Armstrong did well to get back in position and save well at his near post to deny the goal. A minute later true to the fashion of the game so far it was The Ports turn to create a chance McCluskey delivering a good cross to Lecky unmarked to head wide and the chance was gone, it really should have been the opening goal.
Just before half time O�Hara leapt high to head just over for the last action of the first half.
Half Time: Portadown 0 Ballymoney 0
Ronnie McFall wasted no time ringing the changes in the second half, only 5 minutes in and Sproule was replaced by another quick winger in Taggart to add something slightly different no doubt but keep the pace. On the 57th minute arguably the best chance of the match so far arrived with Ballymoney creating it. It was direct from a Hill long throw which beat the Portadown defence leaving Nicholl all alone inside the box he stuck it well but Armstrong was in the right place at the right time and held it well, their were certainly hearts in mouths in the stands.
On 65 minutes the tired looking Clarke was replaced by McCullough. McCutcheon had a chance as the ball landed at his feet on the 6 yard line, he hit the first shot and Smyth saved well but it landed against right at McCutcheons feet he swiped at it and to his despair the ball ended up over the bar. Portadown on the attack again after Boyle found himself into a great position inside the box blasting over.
The pressure was all coming from The Ports so far in the second half. Ballymoneys first real chance arrived though after 72 minutes a free kick from Nicholl from all of 40 yards caught Armstrong napping but he managed to dive low to his left hand post and knocked the ball out for the corner. Portadown substitute McCullough had a great strike just inches wide. On 80mins it was McCullough again in the thick of the action, rising well from a Redman cross to head just wide. He was certainly being positive since coming on though and was continually encouraging the other players on the park to push and push for the important goal.
McCutcheon was replaced for Haire to try and add some youth to the attack. The visitors defended well and were not throwing it away at this stage robbing Convery and Boyle of half chances with the clock ticking. With the final whistle looming a Boyle strike was deflected and Smyth in the visitors goal spilled and Lecky totally free managed to somehow blast the ball over the bar with the goal wide open in front of him, it was an unexpected chance and it arrived quickly to him, but really it was a case of another really good chance missed, this summed up the match for both teams but a well earned draw for Ballymoney United.