Coleraine 4
Ballymena 1
League (Irish League)

Match Report

Following a bout of midfield play at the start, Coleraine pressed strongly and Williamson drove in a great shot which King handled confidently. The Ballymena goalie, however, was beaten at the end of six minutes when David Pringle worked through to score with a fast shot, King being only able to get his fingers to the ball on its passage into the net.

Further Coleraine pressure brought a corner which was cleared, and afterwards McCandless came to the rescue when McNinch found himself in difficulties. Gradually Ballymena forced play to the opposite end, where Barr raced in and called Magee into action.

Eighteen minutes from the start Lyness put William Devan in possession, and the latter put Coleraine two up after rounding McNinch.

Ballymena reduced the lead in the next minute when Hood put the forwards on the move, Haddow pushing out a good pass to Cox, who tricked Mitchell and lifted the ball well across for John Barr to score from close range.

In the course of the subsquent exchanges, in which Coleraine were dangerous about goal, McClelland gave King a couple of good shots to stop. Ballymena might have drawn level when Stewart dropped the ball about two yards out of goal, but Cox shot behind when tackled by Mitchell.

Coleraine's third goal came thirteen minutes from the interval when William Devan scored after King had punched out from a corner kick.

Three minutes William Devan completed the 'hat-trick' though he seemed to be offside at the time.

The second half was a drab affair, there being no fire or enthusiasm about the play of either team. Both attempted nice football, but though it was methodical it was of the slow order and far from thrilling.

In this period Ballymena had every bit as much of the play as their opponents, but lack of understanding in front of goal nullified all their efforts. The best effort was a try by Barr, but unfortunately Oliver got in the way of the ball.

Haddow was right through once when he was spoiled by Wylie getting in the way, and later Wylie was pulled up for offside when the forward line was closing in. Coleraine were held by the Ballymena defence in this half, and the game ended.

Match report written by Ballymena Observer (29 January 1932)