Wakehurst v Ballyclare Comrades
As in previous games Wakehurst were strong in the opening period and won the first corner on 3 minutes with Ryan Young early in the action. On 10 minutes a tempting free kick from Mark Crawford just needed a touch in the penalty area but unfortunately for Wakehurst there was no one on hand to deliver.
On 15 minutes, Marc Maybin made his first save of the day with a tremendous stop from Ballyclare's McClelland to deny them the opener. On 22 minutes, Jason Paul went close with his effort just going inches wide.
On 24 minutes Wakehurst were awarded a penalty when the Ballyclare keeper upended Stephen Mellon in the box and Conor Gregg stepped up and make no mistake from the penalty spot to make it 1-0 for Wakehurst.
Ballyclare started better in the second half and in a five minute spell turned the game on its head. The second half was only five minutes old when Ballyclare equalised through Ricky Higgins with a unchallenged header in the penalty area and on 55 minutes
Wakehurst were penalised again for their lack of concentration when Higgins again scored with a header to make it 2-1 to Ballyclare.
Wakehurst came fighting back and equalised on 60 minutes when Jason Paul broke and with the keeper advancing he coolly slotted the ball home to make it all square.
This was the incentive Wakehurst needed and two minutes later Jason Paul will wonder how he didnt score his second but Flood in the Ballyclare goal made a great save. On 80 minutes Conor Gregg almost got the winner when he beat the keeper only to see his shot go agonisingly inches wide of the post.
On 81 minutes, Marc Maybin made the save of the match with a strong one handed save to deny Ballyclare. On 84 minutes Wakehurst should have had a second penalty for a hand ball in the area but the referee dismissed the claims.
Wakehurst were not going to be beaten and on 86 minutes Jason Paul got his second of the day after good work by Mark Crawford which proved to be the winner and a massive boost and another valuable three points.
Wakehurst Team: Maybin, Colville, Gage(D), Stevenson(D), Gage(S), Alexander(P), Mellon, Crawford, Gregg, Paul, Young
Subs: Stevenson(P), Fletcher, Alexander(J), McKinnie, Parker
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