Gold Cup · Quarter final
Ballymena3–1Ards
David Jordan 80′
Lineups
Ballymena
Ballymena · Starting XI
Ballymena · Manager
Ards
Ards · Starting XI
- Sam McMullan
- Alex Vance
- John Garrett
- Alex Connell
- Bob McGee
- Tommy Fergie
- William Canavan
- Sandy Patton
- David Jordan
- William Gough
- James Kelly
Ards · Manager
- Selection Committee
Match report
Ballymena did something new on Wednesday night which cheered their supporters when, by defeating Ards by 3 goals to 1 at the Showgrounds, they entered the semi-final of the Gold Cup for the first time in their career. There was great improvement in the play of the home team, which was strengthened by the return of McCandless and the inclusion of two newcomers, David Flannigan, ex-Coleraine at centre-half, and John Barr, ex-Linfield, Linfield Swifts and Coleraine, at centre-forward. Mitchell, who is on the injured list, was replaced by McCready. It was nearly all Ballymena's game for a long time after…Read moreRead less
Ballymena did something new on Wednesday night which cheered their supporters when, by defeating Ards by 3 goals to 1 at the Showgrounds, they entered the semi-final of the Gold Cup for the first time in their career.
There was great improvement in the play of the home team, which was strengthened by the return of McCandless and the inclusion of two newcomers, David Flannigan, ex-Coleraine at centre-half, and John Barr, ex-Linfield, Linfield Swifts and Coleraine, at centre-forward. Mitchell, who is on the injured list, was replaced by McCready.
It was nearly all Ballymena's game for a long time after the start, though the first dangerous shot came from McGee, the Ards centre-half, who struck the crossbar with a great drive. The home defence coped ably with the opposing attack, both full backs being in good fettle, while Flannigan went about his business is good style, and was well supported by Stewart, who is playing better than ever, and by Nelson, who showed improved form.
As the leader of the attack, Barr kept the front line going and fed the wings well, and the Ards goal had more than one narrow escape through his play. Certainly the home front line has not moved so well this season before. On the left Stoddart was excelling himself, and Cox was getting a better chance to show his paces on the opposite wing.
After half an hour's almost constant pressure Cameron raced up the middle and toed the ball neatly to William Cox, who placed it safely in the far corner of the net for the opening goal.
Ronald Cameron added the second some five minutes later from a beautiful cross from Stoddart. Just on the interval Cox netted again, but the goal was disallowed, for what reason was not clear.
Eleven minutes after the restart William McCandless scored Ballymena's third with a free-kick, the ball glancing off an opponent into the net.
Ballymena continued to have rather more of the play, but towards the end slackened off a bit, and Ards were quick to take advantage of this. Patton missed narrowly with a shot that struck the crossbar, but later David Jordan got clean through when McCandless was on the ground and left King no chance from point blank range.
There was great improvement in the play of the home team, which was strengthened by the return of McCandless and the inclusion of two newcomers, David Flannigan, ex-Coleraine at centre-half, and John Barr, ex-Linfield, Linfield Swifts and Coleraine, at centre-forward. Mitchell, who is on the injured list, was replaced by McCready.
It was nearly all Ballymena's game for a long time after the start, though the first dangerous shot came from McGee, the Ards centre-half, who struck the crossbar with a great drive. The home defence coped ably with the opposing attack, both full backs being in good fettle, while Flannigan went about his business is good style, and was well supported by Stewart, who is playing better than ever, and by Nelson, who showed improved form.
As the leader of the attack, Barr kept the front line going and fed the wings well, and the Ards goal had more than one narrow escape through his play. Certainly the home front line has not moved so well this season before. On the left Stoddart was excelling himself, and Cox was getting a better chance to show his paces on the opposite wing.
After half an hour's almost constant pressure Cameron raced up the middle and toed the ball neatly to William Cox, who placed it safely in the far corner of the net for the opening goal.
Ronald Cameron added the second some five minutes later from a beautiful cross from Stoddart. Just on the interval Cox netted again, but the goal was disallowed, for what reason was not clear.
Eleven minutes after the restart William McCandless scored Ballymena's third with a free-kick, the ball glancing off an opponent into the net.
Ballymena continued to have rather more of the play, but towards the end slackened off a bit, and Ards were quick to take advantage of this. Patton missed narrowly with a shot that struck the crossbar, but later David Jordan got clean through when McCandless was on the ground and left King no chance from point blank range.
Ballymena Observer (18 September 1931)
Match media
