County Antrim claimed a 1-0 victory against County Down in the battle of the County’s in the Supercup NI Junior section at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
It was County Antrim who began proceedings the better as Liam Mitchell linked up well with Ben Wylie before his effort was well saved by County Down stopper Ryan Dalzell.
However County Antrim did take the lead a few moments later as Christopher McKee fired into the net leaving Dalzell with no chance the impressive County Antrim adding to his impressive season where he scored 45 goals for Linfield and has since been offered a contract at Glasgow Rangers.
County Downs first opening arrived on twenty-three minutes as Aiden Steele crossed for Eoin Teggart and he headed wide of the target from point blank range. County Antrim then could have doubled their lead as McKee linked up with Leighton Jameson and he chipped the ball over the bar.
On the stroke of halftime County Down could have levelled the tie as Ben McMorris crossed for Jacob Collins but he scooped his effort over the crossbar when well placed to score.
It was County Antrim who began the second half on top when Carl Johnston lashed a low effort just wide from thirty yards out.
Dalzell than made a very good stop to keep out Gerard Storey as he was left unmarked from a corner before his bullet header was tipped away by the superb reactions of the County Down keeper who applies his club trade at Glentoran. Eoin Teggart then thought he had grabbed the equaliser for County Down as he linked up well down the right with Ben McMorris before his drive was well saved by Rian Lennon in the County Antrim goal.
As the game came to a close County Antrim were close to a second as McKee played in Peter Mckiernan who was denied by a stunning save from Dalzell as he tipped the ball over the crossbar.
Credit, Joshua Bunting @Distillerymad