League

The Jungle
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Ballymoney Athletic's Connor Ashton started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. 2 minutes into the game, Keith Abbotts was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ballymoney Athletic's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Brimhaven FC the free kick. When Brimhaven FC's Andrew Couzens in the 5th minute got a chance for a shot 5th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ballymoney Athletic's goalie prevented a goal. If Rich Pennant had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 8th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rich Pennant struck a weak shot in the 16th minute. Kenneth E. White didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Ballymoney Athletic. Kenneth E. White showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Connor Ashton in the 17th minute of the match. Connor Ashton fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Kenneth E. White having to interfere. After 20 minutes, Sid Legg mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Ballymoney Athletic and the Brimhaven FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 25 minutes of play, Ballymoney Athletic's Rich Pennant made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Kenneth E. White was left in no man's land by his defense there! If Damien Fish had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Damien Fish took the ball and in the 41 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Frankie Cardwell. Frankie Cardwell dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Andrew Couzens to strike the kick off in the second half. When Sid Legg was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 51 minutes had been played. In the 52nd match minute, Ballymoney Athletic was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Sid Legg to maneuver through the defense. Andrew Couzens received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Frankie Cardwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 56th minute, Spike Caddell hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Vinnie Hird charged in rather forcefully in the 63rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Vinnie Hird the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Brimhaven FC's Vinnie Hird got a free kick in the 63rd minute. The supporters of Brimhaven FC booed when Ballymoney Athletic was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 66 match minutes in a wonderful position. Sly MacDonnell didn't get a good kick on the ball. Rich Pennant's shot straight on target was not completely harmless. The ball had pretty good speed, but Kenneth E. White firmly grabbed it by the left post. Rich Pennant sent away a hard shot on goal in the 74th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Rich Pennant came up free with the goalie in the 84th minute, the Ballymoney Athletic fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Rich Pennant couldn't finish the play. Bronagh Rice received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Kenneth E. White tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Brimhaven FC's Kenneth E. White proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 88th minute of the match, managed to save Brimhaven FC from getting a goal against them. Frankie Cardwell made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Andrew Couzens in the 91st minute of play. Peter Bannister's late challenge caught a Brimhaven FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Peter Bannister helped the player get up and apologised. After having played for 94 minutes, Andrew Couzens managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Brimhaven FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Andrew Couzens was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Bronagh Rice hit a great freekick 99 minutes into the match. Brimhaven FC's Vinnie Hird couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 100th minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Ballymoney Athletic. When the match was over Ballymoney Athletic could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Brimhaven FC throughout the match.