Ballymena Hockey Club round-up: Men draw comfort against title favourites

Ballymena faced the same side only two weeks ago, in the semi-final of the Irish Hockey Challenge, and were comprehensively beaten 3-0 so this result served as some consolation and as a morale boost for the side.

Ballymena had a distinct spring in their step in the opening stages of this game, out battling and out witting their opponents. The forward line of Lowry, McKeown, Allison and McKelvey ran the host’s defenders ragged creating time and space which enabled the Ballymena midfield to control the game.

Cliftonville succumbed to the aggressive nature of the visitor’s offensive early on and conceded the first short corner of the tie. McKeown laid the ball off to Alexander at the back post, who slotted in the deflection past a bewildered Cliftonville keeper to make it 1-0.

The rest of the first half was all Ballymena with them virtually camped out in the hosts half. Indeed the visitor’s keeper, Eddie Hampton, didn’t have to make a single save, in stark contrast to his work load during the semi-final match.

With Ballymena only leading by a single goal after the break they surely realised that they should have made more of the opportunities afforded them in the 
first half.

However, this wasn’t to be and a rejuvenated Cliftonville began to assert their authority on the game and their persistence eventually paid off, with a goal out of nothing. A short corner which was not properly defended and a feeble attempt at a drag flick somehow bobbled past Hampton in goals to restore parity for the hosts.

Credit to the Ballymena defence then who held on for a well-deserved draw and valuable point. This performance by the Ballymena men smacked of a side who could play with the best and they should be proud of the sheer commitment and hockey prowess returned by the squad.