Moyola Park Olympic 0

A SOLITARY goal was all that separated these two neighbours in a midweek Ballymena Junior League fixture staged at Tobermore.

For most of the match, defences were well on top, while the playing surface did little to help either side in their bid to play any sort of passing football.

In the end, a second half goal won the points in a game which was keenly contested throughout.

After a slow start, both teams began to create chances with Moyola first on the attack when Robert Niblock found Gareth Stewrat and his well aimed shot went narrowly wide.

In reply, Tobermore went close when Montgomery headed straight into the arms of the visitors keeper, Martin Rea.

With Scott and Hayden Leacock in control at the heart of the home defence, Moyola found it hard to find any real space to shoot at goal.

And, following one swift atack, Tobermore forced Johnny Niblock to clear off his own goal line when the opening score looked assured.

Long clearances by the home keeper Willie Hassan meant that Brian Martin and Niblock were kept under pressure, but the half concluded scoreless with both sides still very much in contention.

There were more chances created in the early stages of the second half. For Tobermore, Scott tried a long range effort while in the next attack, a fine cross by full back Paul Clarke saw Nigel Spiers head wide when well placed.

A great effort by Lamont brought a good stop from Rea on the hour mark, while Kenny Kerr failed to make proper contact in front of goal as Moyola looked to open the scoring.

However, it was Tobermore who got the all important breakthrough in the 70th minute with a superb strike from the edge of the area.

This goal really opened the game up and moments later Paul Fulton took a pass from Sammy neill and tested Hassan in home goals with a 20 yard effort.

Always looking the more dangerous in attack, Tobermore almost increased their advantage on two occasions but for well timed interceptions by Niblock and Clarke of Olympic.

And, inside the last ten minutes, a good move by Moyola saw the ball fall kindly to substitute Aaron Meharg but from ten yards out, he missed a golden opportunity to bring the sides level. In the last moments, Moyola piled forward and both Stewart and Kerr had efforts on goal but the back four of Tobermore , in which Scott was solid, held firm as the homesters secured a 1-0 win in what was a good game between these two neighbouring sides.

Moyola Park Olympic – Rea, Clarke, R.Niblock, Martin, J.Niblock, Neill, Fulton, Stewart, Bradley, Spiers, Kerr, sub Meharg.