This evening saw an intense local derby as County Antrim took on County Londonderry at the Ballymena United Showgrounds.
The game was only five minutes in when we saw the first goal. Antrim goalkeeper Sean Diamond failed to gather Jack McClelland’s free kick and striker Matthew Duffy nipped in to take full advantage and put Londonderry ahead.
Londonderry then had a penalty appeal turned away controversially just before half-time when Aodhfin Barbour went down in the area after crossing paths with Lee McCune but referee Evan Boyce felt it didn’t warrant a penalty and waved play on.
Caolin Coyle almost doubled Londonderry’s advantage on the stroke of half time when a dangerous cross-come-shot whistled across the face of the County Antrim goal.
Antrim drew level on 46 minutes when Christopher Crane’s diagonal ball on the back post was matched by a storming run and towering header from Padraig Hughes which flew past Conan Doherty in the Londonderry goal.
After a tight contest there was late drama after good work from Ryan Strain who then found Fra Nolan in space to blast home the winner for the Co.Antrim.
Report by Jamie Megarry