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Spirited United fight back earns draw at Seaview

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Gary McCutcheon: scored his 25th goal of the season for United at Seaview on Friday night.

Crusaders..............2 Ballymena United..............2
Battling Ballymena United fought back from two goals down to draw with Crusaders on Friday night at Seaview.
But they will be disappointed at not taking all three points.
Even Crues' boss Stephen Baxter sang the praises of the men from the Braid.
“Give credit to Ballymena," he said after the game. "Their players ran like I have never seen them run before. They worked tirelessly, they had hunger and tried to impress their manager. They are likely playing for the futures. Well done to them."
United got off to a terrible start, conceding a goal after just 27 seconds!
A sloppy back pass by Aaron Stewart was pounced on by Davy Rainey - 1-0.
Stewart's casual back pass lacked direction and weight, and although 'keeper Dwayne Nelson tried to make up for the slip, Rainey beat him to the ball, rounded him and slotted into an empty net.
In the 14th minute defender Davy Munster did well to cut out a dangerous cross by captain Colin Coates.
Stewart tried to make amends for his earlier error, getting on the end of a Rory Carson corner to power a header over the bar.
United had appeals for a 26th penalty waved aside after striker James Costello looked to have been brought down inside the box by Stephen McBride.
Two minutes later the Sky Blues went further behind, Chris Morrow heading in from a Stuart Dallas corner.
Allan Jenkins was brought to earth in the penalty box, but nothing was given.
United clawed their way back into the game in the 39th minute, striker Gary McCutcheon blasting home a penalty after Leeman was harshly judged to have handled inside the box following a Carson corner.
It was the little Scot's 25th goal of the season!
Ballymena got just the start they wanted in the second half, going level in the 55th minute from a flick on by Munster.
A Carson corner, aimed for Jenkins, ended up coming back out to him; he crossed left-footed into the area and Munster applied the finish from close range.
On the hour Crusaders threatened to go ahead, but this time Rainey was thwarted by defender Johnny Taylor, signed on loan from Glentoran until the end of the season, who blocked the effort.
A minute later Costello, who went through a mountain of work, was almost rewarded with a goal.
The big striker powered his way past several tackles before smashing a shot on target which certainly stung the fists of 'keeper Sean O'Neill.
Crusaders were reduced to 10-men when sub Gargan was off for a tackle on Gavin Taggart.
United will be kicking themselves at not wrapping up all three points five minutes from the end.
Costello flicked on for McCutcheon and normally the flying Scot would finish in style; but he failed to, and when the ball broke for Carson he rifled in a shot which was saved - great chance missed.
United manager Glenn Ferguson said before the game he would have settled for a point, but after seeing the gutsy performance thought they deserved all three.
The boss admitted giving the side a "grilling" at half time - a grilling which had the desired effect.
There were a number of bookings - United's Kane, Taggart and Black and Crues' Morrow and Leeman.
Crusaders - O'Neill, McKeown (Owens, 58th), McBride, Leeman, Magowan, Coates, Morrow, Rainey, Caddell, Dallas (Gargan, 36th), Watson (Watson, 77th).
Subs not used - McCann, Snoddy.
Ballymena United - Nelson, Kane, Black, Stewart (Lowry, 31st), Taggart, McCutcheon, Jenkins, Carson, Munster, Costello, Taylor.
Subs not used - Teggart, Baker, Downey, Woods.
Referee - Mr. Colin Burns (Newtownabbey).

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