Ballymoney brave as they miss out on draw

Newington piled on the pressure from the start gaining a succession of corners in the opening seven minutes, but they were defended with ease.
HERE WE GO. Pictured are players and Officials from Riada FC prior to setting of for their 3rd round clash with Lurgan side Derryherk on Saturday.INBM49-14 018SC.HERE WE GO. Pictured are players and Officials from Riada FC prior to setting of for their 3rd round clash with Lurgan side Derryherk on Saturday.INBM49-14 018SC.
HERE WE GO. Pictured are players and Officials from Riada FC prior to setting of for their 3rd round clash with Lurgan side Derryherk on Saturday.INBM49-14 018SC.

Ballymoney settled and put a bit of pressure themselves winning a corner on 10 minutes but conceded from a very quick counterattack when the home keeper blasted clear catching out the visitors defence and a great first touch from the home striker tucking the ball under Moore to go 1-0 up.

The game was played at a furious pace with Newington trying to force their dominance but found the visitors were having none of it.

Ballymoney soaked up a lot of Newington pressure and from a free Dempsey kick to Bradley who calmly picked out Jennings with a sublime cross behind the home defence for Jennings to chip the home keeper to equalise.

Newington continued to press but found the Ballymoney in resilient form although they came close on a couple of occasions.

Ballymoney clawed their way back into the game and came close on 73 minutes when Jennings shot rolled agonisingly wide. The game swayed from attack to defence during a period of very good football from both teams. Newington were rewarded on 77 minutes when a corner was poorly marked leaving room for a home striker to head in from close range.

Ballymoney changed their tactics pushing more people up front as the clock was ticking but could not find the elusive equaliser.

Ballymoney Utd: Moore, Brown, Dempsey, Boyle, Dooey, Craig Hanna, Dickson, Craig, Jennings, Boyle. Subs: Wallace, King, Connor, Gault.

Anyone with information on John Charles playing football in the Cricket Park Ballymoney would be very much appreciated as we have the famous photo of him tying his lace, autographed and with a certificate of authenticity.