Ballynahinch glory bid fizzles out

Ballynahinch glory bid fizzles out

8 January 2014

BATTLING Ballynahinch buckled late on when Portrush came from behind to lift the Sussex Regiment Cup for the first time at a rain-soaked Deramore on New Year’s Day.

Leslie Harrison’s side was looking good when it took a 2-1 lead 10 minutes into the second half, but the locals lost their mojo, no doubt due to a spate of yellow and green cards, with Portrush taking full advantage to score twice inside a perfect seven-minute spell to seal victory.

Portush played the opening gambit with some intense periods of attacking play, storming clear in the second minute. A fierce strike from Richard McNabb into the circle was deflected past Ballynahinch ‘keeper Mark Brown by Aaron Kerr to send Portrush wild with delight.

Ballynahinch settled after this setback and applied a bit of pressure of their own, but all they really had to show for their efforts was a shot from Lawrence Paterson that went wide as Portrush defended well in numbers.

John Dillon’s direct running in the middle of the park was causing problems for Ballynahinch and with six minutes gone he surged forward before playing in James McCook, but the latter was way off target.

Portrush continued to keep Ballynahinch at bay with their blanket defence and with nine minutes gone they hit back on the counterattack to force a penalty corner.

Fortunately, Ballynahinch were resolute and led superbly at the back by Patterson, they cleared the danger.

The tide was starting to turn in Ballynahinch’s favour and with 17 minutes gone they deservedly produced some fireworks in front of goal when livewire Stuart Hunter swooped with a clinical finish to make it 1-1.

Back came Portrush. Brown saved from McCook and at the other end while ‘keeper Gordon McAllister did well to keep out the rampaging Andy McIlwaine. Portrush were now enjoying a lot of possession and it took all Patterson’s experience and calming influence at the back for Ballynahinch to keep the score at 1-1.

Hunter went close again for Ballynahinch in the 30th minute, but they had to defend for their lives in the final minute of the half when Portrush won a penalty corner. Some excellent defending yet again from Patterson and Hinch skipper Leslie Harrison helped Ballynahinch go in at the break all square.

The locals went for broke at the start of the second half and looked to see of Portrush with a series of power packed attacks.

After just two minutes, McAllister earned his corn with a superlative save to deny Harrison.

Two minutes later, a scintillating run and cross from the exciting McIlwaine was just inches away from the stick of David Bolton at the back post.

McIlwaine was on fire down the right flank and with 40 minutes gone he again left his marker for dead before carving out an opening for Alex Millar that was well saved by McAllister.

Something had to give and in the 45th minute, Millar pounced to deliver an unstoppable shot that gave McAllister no chance.

The game took on a new lease of life now with the umpires happy to flash yellow and green cards in a bid to quell the feisty nature of some of the tackles, but this simply played into Portrush’s hands.

McCook finally found his range in the 53rd minute with an explosive equaliser after a period of pressure.

It was now all or nothing for both sides, but it was Portrush who had a sting in their tails and with 10 minutes to go, Dillon drilled in a beauty from a set-piece that deserved to win any game.

Ballynahinch tried everything to get back on level terms, but they were unable to breach a well drilled Portrush defence which held out to the final whistle.

Ballynahinch: Mark Brown, Ashley Brown, Leslie Harrison, Stuart Hunter, Adam McKee, Andrew McIlwaine, David Bolton, Darren Roe, Steven Crean, Lawrence Paterson, David Ferris. Subs: Alex Millar, Andrew Mulholland, Lee Thomas, Jason Campbell, Matthew Peters.

Portrush: Gordon McAllister, Ryan Smith, David Price, Aaron Kerr, Callum McKeemin, Graham Christie, James McCook, John Dillon, Richard McNabb, Leon Smith, Neil McMaster. Subs: Lewis Greene, Andrew McConaghy, Trevor Kilpatrick, Graeme Kerr, Phil Linton.

Ballynahinch 2

Portrush 3

SUSSEX REGIMENT CUP FINAL