Nine-man United lose ‘derby’
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Coleraine 3
Ballymena United 1
Two harsh sendings off proved just too much for battling Ballymena United to earn something from last Tuesday night's rearranged Boxing Day 'derby'.
They fought tooth-and-nail throughout - a vast improvement from the weekend showing at the Oval - but the departure of Chris Ramsey and Noel Anderson saw them eventually run out of steam.
Ramsey's rash tackle did not deserve a straight red card, but Referee Alan Black had the 'off' card in his hand before Rory Patterson had hit the ground.
And then Anderson, who was bursting through in a quick United break, was nailed enroute by defender Kyle McVey - and has the stud marks on his thigh to prove it.
As Anderson lay on the ground Mr. Black reached for 'red' - it looked likely the Coleraine man, who had been booked in the first half, would be leaving the field of play.
But it was Anderson who was shown the card, leaving the Sky Blues to battle the remaining 17 minutes with just nine men.
It was 1-1 at this stage, David Cushley banging in a beauty, on the hour, to level matters after a neat lay-off by Anderson.
Ballymena made a terrible start, going a goal down after 1 minutes and 13 seconds.
‘Keeper Davy O'Hare booted upfield, Rory Patterson collected and delivered out left for Darren Boyce who knocked the ball in past a hesitant 'keeper Sean O'Neill.
United, trying Mark Surgenor in attack, saw him siccisor kicked a shot past and Michael Smith sent in a sizzler which O'Hare saved superbly.
Ballymena lost flying full-back Lee Colligan who was stretchered off after being injured in a tackle and a short time later Ramsey was sent off.
A minute before half time 'keeper O'Neill did well to push a Patterson shot past. Early in the second half Kevin Kelbie beat centre-half Mark Mukendi to the ball and then clipped a shot off the bar.
Despite being a man down the Braid battlers were very much in the match.
O'Neill again came to the rescue 10 minutes into the second half, somehow saving from Gareth Tommons close range header.
On the hour United levelled the game. Albert Watson threaded the ball through, Anderson flicked on and sub Cushley, who replaced Colligan, thumped the ball past O'Hare.
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