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Ballinamallard United
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Ballymena United
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Jonathan Lafferty (10)
Mark Stafford (52)
Liam McMenamin (76) |
None. |
Appearances & Goals To Date
Starting Lineup
| Youngest Player: | Jonathan Taylor (26 years 175 days) |
| Oldest Player: | David Munster (35 years 304 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 30 years 311 days |
| Domestic Players: | 9 (81.82 % of starting eleven) |
Matchday Squad
| Youngest Player: | Eoin Kane (18 years 345 days) |
| Oldest Player: | David Munster (35 years 304 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 28 years 198 days |
| Domestic Players: | 14 (87.50 % of matchday squad) |
BALLYMENA United progressed to their first ever WASP Solutions League Cup final on Tuesday evening courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park.
It was the hosts who started the brightest, putting the Sky Blues under a spell of early pressure which paid dividends on 20 minutes when Ballinamallard forward Ryan Campbell turned on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful effort into the bottom corner beyond the reach of the outstretched Stuart Addis in the United goal. This early lead was no more than the Mallards deserved and they could have doubled their advantage soon after only for Lee Martin's effort to flash just wide of the goal with Stuart Addis beaten.
The large travelling Sky Blue contingent were getting restless as what appeared to be a dismal opening period drew to a close only for captain Allan Jenkins to get his side back on level terms with the last kick of the ball in the first half. Mallards goalkeeper Stefan McCusker was equal to Matthew Tipton's initial effort but could only parry the ball into the path of Jenkins who rifled home, turning the game in the process.
United reappeared for the second half totally revitalised and intent on winning the game. Matthew Tipton deservedly gave the Sky Blues the lead on the hour mark after a mad goalmouth scramble in which Stefan McCusker denied efforts from Darren Boyce and Tipton before the latter finally forced the ball over the line to complete the turnaround in the scoreline.
The visitors couldn't hold onto their lead however as just eight minutes later, in what seemed like their first attack of the second half, the Mallard drew level with Ryan Campbell again getting on the scoresheet with a composed finish after a neat team move. This did not deter the Sky Blues who responded with further pressure on the Mallards goal, first Darren Boyce was denied after clever link up play with Matthew Tipton before late drama ensued as with just two minutes left on the clock, defender David Munster fired home from Neal Gawley's free kick to send the travelling support into raptures and United into their first ever League Cup final.
Match report written by Jordan Miller
