Nine man United lose out to high flying Swifts

EYE BALL. United 'Fran' McKeena gets in front of his Sport & Leisure opponent on Saturday.INBM47-14 095SC.

SPORT AND LEISURE 1

Not a lot happened in the opening 10 minutes of this match between high-flying Swifts and lowly Ballymoney.

However, on 12 minutes, Agnew for the visitors was sent off for a blatant foul on Dempsey, the Ballymoney United full back.

SOLAR CHEQUE. Chairman of Ballymoney Utd FC Noel Lamont, pictured on Saturday receiving a sponsored cheque from Stephanie Ballentine and Rebeca Adams from Saliis Solar Panels.INBM47-14 090SC.

Shortly after that incident Jenkins came close for the visitors skimming the ball past the home team goal. The game descended into a dogged midfield battle with neither team gaining any sort of advantage.

Lynch came close for Sport and Leisure on 32 minutes after a bit of slack defending by the home team. A free kick by McKenna for the home team was well saved by Nugent in the visitor’s goal on 36 minutes.

Just before half time Jennings got involved with a Sport and Leisure player who went to ground for no apparent reason and consequently Jennings got sent off. Sadly the first half will be remembered for the lack of discipline and not for the lack of football.

A great piece of link play down the right on 51 minutes between Dickson and Boyle put in Bradley who blasted over the bar from close range.

ALL TO A MAN. Pictured on Saturday in their new strip which is sponsored by Caraman Building Contractors prior to their game with Sport & Leisure are players of Ballymoney Utd FC along with Management, Officials and Committee members.INBM47-14 091SC.

A good spell by Ballymoney up until the hour looking the better of the two teams but still nothing to show for it.

The deadlock was broken on 68 minutes when Thompson pounced on a loose ball in the home 6 yard box and blasted past Moore in the home goal with the help of a deflection.

With time running out Ballymoney United had McKenna red carded on 82 minutes for encroachment on a visitor’s free kick. The home team came close from a corner on 88 minutes when McClelland crashed his header from a corner kick against Nugents post. Ballymoney piled on the pressure in the dying minutes but could not find that crucial break.

Ballymoney United: Moore, Brown, Dempsey, McClelland, Dooey, McLernon, Dickson, Boyle, Jennings, McKenna, Bradley. Subs: Wallace, Craig, King.

Ballymoney United v Portstewart Saturday 22nd November at the Riada Stadium 2pm Kick Off.