Newry Town (City) 2
Ballymena 0
League (Irish League)

Match Report

Ballymena travelled to Newry last Saturday and were unexpectedly defeated by the Border men, whose two goals, scored in the second half per Lyness and Rocks, won them the points.

Ballymena won the toss and took advantage of the breeze. Both sides invaded in turn, and after McCambridge had missed a nice cross from Girvan Newry got off, and Feenan caused Gough to handle. Ballymena showed pretty football, but despite their wind advantage the Town enjoyed a fair measure of the play.

Bennet receiving from Lynas shot over the bar at express speed. Ballymena then had a spell of attack, and the left winger twice sent the ball over the bar. Newry strongly retaliated, but the visitors' defence managed to avert disaster.

Feenan forced a corner, and in the resultant play Gough just managed to scramble away the ball. McMinn was next applauded for a double save following two successive corners to the Blues, and Shiels next moment missed a glorious opportunity of opening the Braid town's score. Excitement increased when in a Newry raid Bennet called Gough into action with a shot which he managed to field at the second attempt.

Newry set up an exciting bombardment towards the close of the half, but failed to score despite a brilliant individual effort by Bennet. McNinch was penalised for fouling Carroll. Hobbs took the kick, but Gough saved brilliantly.

Newry continued to be the aggressive side on the resumption, and Lyness just headed over the bar with Gough and co. beaten. Short was outstanding in the Newry intermediate line and initiated many a strong attack in which Lyness, Rocks, and Nelson were dangerous raiders.

Gough kept a capital goal, saving on many occasions. At the other end Girvan tested McMinn with a raiser to no effect. Ballymena for a time kept up a hot attack, but it was eventually repelled.

On coming away Lyness was fouled by McNinch with the result that from a free, which was taken by Short, William Lyness headed through the opening goal amid cheers. Newry were rampant now, and Rocks to the right of the home crowd headed through a second a few minutes afterwards. Gough protesting strongly against it being counted.

Towards the end Lyness barely missed a third. The Town were worth winners of a clean, hard-fought match.

Match report written by Ballymena Observer (30 August 1929)