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Harland and Wolff Welders
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Ballymena United
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Philip Simpson (5)
Matthew Burrows (78)
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Philip Simpson (o.g.) (61)
Darren Henderson (86)
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Appearances & Goals To Date
Starting Lineup
| Youngest Player: | Gary Thompson (23 years 236 days) |
| Oldest Player: | David Munster (34 years 330 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 27 years 284 days |
| Domestic Players: | 9 (81.82 % of starting eleven) |
Matchday Squad
| Youngest Player: | Neil Lowry (20 years 160 days) |
| Oldest Player: | David Munster (34 years 330 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 26 years 306 days |
| Domestic Players: | 13 (81.25 % of matchday squad) |
DEBUTANT Darren Boyce spared United's blushes with a dramatic late equaliser at Tillysburn Park to secure a 2-2 draw and a replay at the Showgrounds on Tuesday 21st.
The hosts started much the brighter and deservedly took the lead with just five minutes on the clock. Centre back Philip Simpson scrambled home Mark Magennis' corner past Sky Blues' debutant goalkeeper Aaron Shanahan to put the Championship side one goal to the good.
United responded to going a goal down with a weak effort from Allan Jenkins, easily saved by Welders goalkeeper Lee Windrum before Aaron Stewart flashed a cross across the face of goal with no one on hand to tap it into the net. Both sides had excellent chances before the break, first Josh Cahoon headed just past the near post for the Welders before Matty Burrows' curling effort nestled just over the bar. For the Sky Blues, David Munster's powerful header was saved of the line by Lee Windrum after Alan Teggart's corner, leaving the score 1-0 to the home side at the interval.
United should have been level on 47 minutes but defender Johnny Taylor shot wide when in acres of space inside the box. Scott Davidson almost made Ballymena pay for their profligacy but his effort curled just wide of Aaron Shanahan's far post. On 61 minutes the Sky Blues were level, substitute and one of three debutantes Jim Ervin flashed a delightful cross into the six yard box which was accidentally bundled into the bottom corner by Welders goalscorer Philip Simpson under duress from Tony Kane.
Ballymena should have went in front moments later when an excellent through ball from Tony Kane was blasted over the bar by Darren Boyce, a golden chance wasted. The Welders made United pay for this miss on 78 minutes when Matty Burrows slotted home Gareth Beattie's cross to put the home side seemingly in the hat for the next round.
Late drama was to follow however with 86 minutes on the clock, centre back David Munster found himself in an unfamiliar wide right position, and the big man proved his ability in such a role with a pin point cross to Darren Boyce who headed the ball past Windrum to send the sizeable travelling support into raptures.
Alan Teggert and David Cushley both had late chances to win the tie for the visitors, but defeat would have been harsh on the Welders who have more than earned a second bite of the cherry through a replay at Ballymena Showgrounds next Tuesday night. This Tuesday however United are in league action at Stangmore Park against Dungannon Swifts (7.45pm).
Match report written by Jordan Miller
