Ballymoney drop points at Oxford

Ballymoney could claim the first chance of the game when on 5 minutes Lyons hit a speculative looping shot which nearly caught out Mulouay in the home goal tipping over the bar at the last minute.

The strong wind played a major part with the visitors playing into a very strong head wind. A free kick conceded on 11 minutes proved crucial for the home team when Rogan stepped up and curled a beautiful wind assisted shot round the wall and out of the reach of Coyle n the visitor’s goal to give Oxford the lead.

Oxford piled on the pressure at this stage and a hectic clearance by Coyle fell straight to Cusack who lobbed the ball goalward catching the keeper out of position on 19 minutes but on this occasion Coyle redeemed the situation scrambling back to clear.

Ballymoney dominated this stage of the game and McLaughlin had a great effort well saved by Mulouay tipping the ball round the post on the half hour, from the ensuing corner Hugh Og Boyle headed goalward to see his effort scrambled clear for another corner. Ballymoney continued to press home the advantage and came close just before half time when Lyons brought another great save out of Mulouay in the home goal. Half Time: Oxford United Stars 1 Ballymoney United 0

With wind advantage this half the visitors pressed from the start and were denied on 55 mins when Lyons shot past Mulouay across the face of the goal, off the back post and back across the goal line to be scrambled wide.

Oxford created a chance for Quinn who unleashed a fierce shot bringing a brilliant save out of Coyle in the visitor’s goal. Ballymoney once again dominated procedures but couldn’t take advantage although coming close on 65 mins when Allen broke through and squared for Stewart to bring another great save out of Mulouay. A break by Cusack for the home team was well defended by Hugh Og Boyle clearing his lines. McLaughlin had a great free kick brilliantly saved by man of the match so far goalkeeper Mulouay. Ballymoney strung together a series of passes to cut open the home defence sending Allen through down the right and with support arriving in the middle Allen opted to blast over the bar and wide on 77 mins. Not to be outdone Hargan and Rogan combined to cut open the Ballymoney defence but Rogan wasted the chance blasting over with the goal at his mercy. Hargan was again involved in the 80th minute when he put through Doherty who was tackled inside the box by Gault, referee McGonigal decided the tackle was unfair and awarded a penalty. Loughery stepped up and despatched the penalty past Coyle in the visitor’s goal. The home team had their tails up and cut the Ballymoney midfield and defence apart in an slick move Rogan to Cusack and then wide to Doherty who got to the by line and crossed down the corridor of uncertainty into the path of Hargan who blasted past Coyle from close range on 83 mins for a quality goal. Ballymoney once again dominated play and were rewarded when McLaughlin hit a superb free kick round the wall and wide of Mulouay in the home goal. Ballymoney remained on the attack till the final whistle but could not take advantage of the pressure.

Ballymoney United: Coyle, McAuley, Con Og Boyle, Gault, Hugh OgBoyle, McClelland, Dempsey, Allen, McLaughlin, Stewart, Lyons. Subs: Magee, Dickson, Craig.