The first encounter between the two teams was abandoned amid controversy when the referee complained of aledgedly being abused by the DC players and management.

The match was then ordered to be replayed.

But Ballymoney took it in their stride and went in front after ten minutes on Thursday when Angie Huey smashed an unstoppable drive from all of 35-yards to make it 1-0.

Laura McCurdy, Carla Dickie and Angie Huey then all had chances to extend the lead before Donegal Celtic hit back to leave it all square at the break.

Nikki McCaughern then came to the fore 15 minutes into the second period when she went on one of those mazy runs for which she is becomining famous now, beating three players and slotting home into the bottom corner. Ballymoney's Cristiano Ronaldo?

At the other end young goalkeeper, Ashleigh McKinnon, pulled off a number of fine reflex saves to keep DC out and with Moodie, Rachel Glenn and Julie Alexander outstanding at the back Ballymoney looked confident approaching the end of the game.

In fact they should have had a penalty with ten minutes to go when Ronaldo, sorry McCaughern, was up-ended in the penalty box, but the referee waved it away and that proved to be a critical moment as the Belfast side struck with a minute to go to send the match into extra-time.

And DC went 3-2 up ten minutes into the added period as Ballymoney pressed for an equlaiser through Harpur and Dickie but it didn't come as the visitors held on.

Three days earlier, however, there was a better result for Ballymoney when they beat Moyola 4-2 in a league match.

They went a goal up inside ten minutes, Angie Huey put Carla Dickie through and her shot was parried before Sirri Topping finished the move off.

Dickie made it two on the half hour mark when she sidfooted home Nikki McCaughern's cross to leave Ballymoney two up at the break.

With Laura McCurdy and Angie Huey excelling in the middle of the pitch the Toon girls were well on top and could have went further ahead after creating a number of chances.

McKinnon was her usual impressive self between the posts, producing a couple of fine saves before Dickie made it 3-0 following more good work from McCaughern.

Then, with Ballymoney cruising, they fell asleep and Moyola grabbed two quick goals to make it 3-2. And McKinnon had to be at her best to keep United ahead.

Then came the moment of magic we come to expect from McCaughern. Picking up the ball on the edge of her own box, she raced through the middle of the pitch, beating four or five opponents on the way before curling the ball into the corner of the net.

That was the perfect send off for Nikki ahead of her wedding and everyone at the club and indeed in local sport, wishes her and her husband-to-be all the best for the big day.

Also impressive for Ballymoney last monday were Dickie, McCurdy, Huey and Glenn.

There's no let up in the action this week for Ballymoney, minus McCaughern.