Following the disappointment of our League Cup exit in midweek, new signing from Glentoran, Aaron Keenan, made his debut in midfield. Tony Tumelty, back from America, was also in the starting line-up.
In a fairly poor first half, misplaced passes were the order of the day and defences were very much on top. As halftime approached Queen’s got the upper hand and took the lead on 43 minutes. From a free kick just outside the box, James Lavery played the ball to Paddy Donnelly who struck a low drive into the bottom corner past Ballymoney keeper Brian Moore.
Four minutes after the break it was two nil when Mark Vernon converted Donnelly’s low cross from 10 yards. Moore got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out. Ballymoney came more into the game and missed a few chances. Gerard Gillan broke clear on the right but shot across the goal and wide. Following a good run from midfield, Francis McKenna’s well hit shot produced a good save from Gerard Duff who palmed the ball over the bar. The game petered out towards the end, the only excitement coming when Donnelly’s low cross found Lavery 5 yards out, but Moore made a good save from the strikers low shot.
This was a workmanlike performance against a team clearly struggling at the moment. We are joint third in the league but tougher encounters are yet to come. Next game is home to Portstewart on Saturday 17th September.
Teams: -
Queen's:
G. Duff, S. Harper, P. Prenter, A. Keenan, M. McManus, G. Higgins, M. Allison, P. Donnelly, M. Vernon, J. Lavery, T. Tumelty
Subs: C. Mulholland, J. Elliott, C. Miller, P. Smyth.
Teams: -
Ballymoney:
B. Moore, D. Scott, S. McMullan, K. Buckley, C. Wilkinson, F. McKenna, P. Keane, G. Gilmore, K. Brace, M. Gillan, G. Gillan
Subs: L. McCleland, T. McLernon, J. Christie