Northern Ireland
County Antrim & District F.A. Senior Shield
Quarter Final
Tuesday 24th October 2023
Kick Off 19.45 On Time!
Ballymacash Rangers 3 Knockbreda 3 (6-7 pens), attendance 229
2’ 0-1
32’ 0-2
36’ 1-2 (pen)
39’ 2-2 (pen)
72’ 2-3
74’ 3-3
@ Bluebell Stadium
10a Rushmore Drive
Lisburn
BT28 2HN
£8 Admission
No Programme.
This game was the re-arranged tie that was abandoned two weeks ago, following an injury to Knockbreda player Joshua Stewart. Ballymacash were leading 2-1 when the game was called to a halt after thirty six minutes. The admission price is fixed by the Antrim & District F.A. so a £2 reduction was in place tonight as a goodwill gesture to supporters, whether you were here for the first game or not.
It was was 4th in Premier Intermediate League (Tier 3) versus 12th (bottom) in Championship (Tier 2). Just to add a little spice, the two clubs met at the end of last season in the 2 legged Championship Promotion-Relegation Play Off, where Knockbreda managed to retain their place at the higher level, although they have struggled once again this season, losing all 12 league games played so far! Ballymacash look like making another promotion push and are unbeaten so far, with 3 wins and 2 draws.
The first half was as good as I’ve seen anywhere this season. Real end to end stuff as both teams went at it from the off. Knockbreda were ahead after just two minutes, shooting low into the far bottom corner of the net. They had another effort come back off the post soon after. Just after the half hour they did make it 0-2 though, when a shot from the edge of the box went in via a slight deflection. Within seconds of the restart, things took a turn for the worse for them though. Their ‘keeper was sent off when conceding a penalty and their substitute ‘keeper was then beaten with the resulting kick. Three minutes later it was 2-2, as Ballymacash levelled, with another penalty.
The second half was never going to be as entertaining as the first. The 10 men of Knockbreda dug deep, defending sturdily, each time they came under any hint of pressure and remarkably they then managed to regain the lead with eighteen minutes left, heading in from close range, after a save by the home ‘keeper had looped high into the air, coming down in the six yard box. Ballymacash were only behind for two minutes though, levelling it up at 3-3, when the visitors ‘keeper failed to punch clear and the ball was smashed in from twelve yards. That was it as far as goals went. We were straight to penalties to decide the winner. The hosts were first to miss, having kick number seven saved. Knockbreda then won it with their next one. They will now take on current Premiership champions Larne in the semi-final, who are trying to retain the cup which they’ve won for the last three years!
The ground is pretty basic, but is a work in progress. It has a 3G pitch, with a 115 seat stand stuck in one corner, at the goal end to the left of the entrance. There would normally be spectator access on all four sides, but the section along the side to the right of the turnstiles, looking down towards the social club/tea bar is currently out of bounds, due to building work of some sort currently taking place.
I had flown from London Gatwick to Belfast International, for my first trip to Northern Ireland since February 2020. The EasyJet flight arrived mid morning, having been around twenty minutes late leaving. I picked up a hire car, which even with petrol costs worked out no dearer than combined fares on bus/train/taxi/walk would have been, not to mention being far more convenient! The return flight on Wednesday morning actually left a minute early!
