NO LUCK FOR AMATEURS IN TIGHT ENCOUNTER

This was a tight affair and with a bit of luck Carniny could and should have got something from it.

The first half was a particularly tight affair with both sides having several chances but neither able to put the ball away. Youngsters Smith in goal and Caolan Hart in defence did not look out of place and are certainly good prospects.

The second period saw 4th take the lead after 15 minutes after Carniny lost the ball needlessly before the ball travelled the length of the pitch without being properly intercepted. It was 2-0 to the home side 10 minutes later when a hard and low cross into the Carniny penalty area was diverted into their own goal by Carniny’s McCallion. On the half hour the Ballymena ‘reds’ thought they had scored when David Chesney found Dean Surgenor on the right and his sidefooted shot was neatly tucked away only to be ruled offside. With ten minutes remaining the receiver turned provider when Surgenor headed on to David Chesney to break through and chip the advancing keeper to make the score 2-1. Although the visitors pressed to equalise time was not on their side and the home side held out for victory.

PANEL – Smith, Hart, Heron, King, Costello, Hanna D., McCallion, Hanna R., Mairs , Gault, Chesney, Surgenor, Martin.