Setback costs Ballynahinch

Setback costs Ballynahinch

12 November 2014

BOTH sides were reduced to 10 men at the start due to the shortage of Ulster Branch umpires, with Ballynahinch very keen to win the 

match to maintain second place in Senior Two behind pacesetters Cliftonville.

But the locals knew they faced an uphill battle as they were forced to field a weakened side due to injury and unavailability.

However, Ballynahinch drew first blood when the impressive Kyle Patterson ghosted past three Ballymena players before laying the ball off to Mark Graham who produced a smart finish.

But the visitors, who have their own title ambitions, responded and were back on level terms minutes later, within a forward flicking the ball high into the net.

Ballymena continued to press and took the lead for the first time in the game, with the home side then responding to go into the break on level terms.

The experienced Norman Brown found himself unmarked inside the penalty area and while his fierce shot was blocked, the ball fell kindly to Graham who scored his second goal of the afternoon.

Ballynahinch had their backs to the wall for most of the second period with a strong rearguard action required to keep Ballymena at bay.

Lawrence Patterson, Richard Hamilton and Leslie Harrison had their work cut out at the back for the home side, but Ballynahinch’s quest to stay in the game was dealt a hammer blow when Graham picked up a hamstring injury.

The move weakened Ballynahinch’s resolve and Ballymena pounced to make it  3-2 with a looping shot evading home ‘keeper Dave Chadwick.

The impressive Kyle Patterson then picked up an ankle injury while charging forward on one of his trademark runs. He fell heavily and had to be carried off.

It was no surprise when Ballymena made the most of Ballynahinch’s injury problems when they scored in the closing stages to make it 4-2 to collect three points and leapfrog the locals  to take second spot in Senior Two.

Ballynahinch 2

Ballymen 4

SENIOR 2