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Ballymena United
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Portadown
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None. |
Michael Dougherty (90) |
Appearances & Goals To Date
Starting Lineup
| Youngest Player: | Albert Watson (20 years 362 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Nigel Boyd (33 years 79 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 26 years 29 days |
| Domestic Players: | 9 (81.82 % of starting eleven) |
Matchday Squad
| Youngest Player: | Albert Watson (20 years 362 days) |
| Oldest Player: | Nigel Boyd (33 years 79 days) |
| Average Player Age: | 26 years 91 days |
| Domestic Players: | 12 (85.71 % of matchday squad) |
BALLYMENA United gave themselves renewed hope of qualifying for the knockout stages of the CIS Cup with a 1-0 home win over Portadown tonight.
Lee Patrick's goal seven minutes from the end settled a poor game in the home side's favour.
But the game will be overshadowed by disgraceful scenes which marred the final minutes.
Firstly, Portadown goalkeeper Michael Dougherty was sent off by referee David Best after pushing over a ball boy onto the stock car track.
And as the teams came off the pitch, Ballymena assistant manager Jim Grattan appeared to be struck in a fracas which continued up the tunnel.
It was an unseemly end to a match which Ballymena had to win to stay in the competition and manager Tommy Wright was delighted with the victory.
"It's great to finally get a win on the board and the whole group is back in the melting pot now," said Wright.
The first 80 minutes of the match won't live long in the memory with clear-cut chances in short supply.
After a first half which failed to yield even one decent opening, Portadown came close to breaking the deadlock on 48 minutes when midfielder Richard Clarke burst into the box but his fiercely-struck shot was turned over by Paul Murphy.
The game appeared to be heading for a scoreless stalemate until United struck in the 83rd minute. Kevin Kelbie made strides down the left flank to the bye-line and cut the ball back for Lee Patrick to volley home from six yards.
Match report written by Official Ballymena United website