Homers boss proud despite cup final defeat

The Ballymena side went down by three goals to nil against holders Strathroy Harps in Monday’s final as their extraordinary Junior Cup adventure finally reached its end. While there’s no doubting that the Omagh side deserved their victory, many observers felt that a three-goal margin was harsh on the local side, who were bidding to become the first Saturday Morning League to win the illustrious trophy. Cheered on by a bumper crowd from the Ballymena area, Homers struggled to find any rhythm in a nervy opening period which ended scoreless. They were enjoying their best spell of the game at the start of the second half when disaster struck. The outcome could have been so much different had the normally prolific Gary Bonnes not spurned a glorious opening from close range. Instead, seconds later, Harps broke up the field and Ryan Mayse fired them in front. It became a mountain to climb after Patrick Nugent headed Strathroy’s second and the task took on Everest-like proportions soon afterwards when defender Ricky Forsythe was shown a straight red card for a cynical challenge. Homers rallied and Bonnes again headed a good chance wide, only for the same scenario as previously to happen again with Harps going straight down the field and adding a clinching third goal, with another Nugent header. “I thought the better team won,” admitted Duddy. “I thought they played marginally better than us in the first half. “We came out in the second half and did really well for 20 minutes but we missed a good chance and they went straight up the field and scored their first goal. “After that there was no real getting back into it for us. “Once the second goal went in it was backs to the wall and when Ricky Forsythe was sent off there was no coming back from it. “I have no real complaints about the red card – he maybe wasn’t the last man and it was a long way from goal but the red mist came down a bit. “We had a few wee half-chances but it just wasn’t to be on the day. “You need to take your chances when you have a wee spell like that and unfortunately we didn’t and they scored twice after we missed good chances – football can be cruel like that. “There are a few sad faces but like everything else it’s a learning process. “Hopefully we can remember the hurt they are feeling and get back here another day. “That won’t be easy because we know exactly how difficult it is to get to this stage – it has been a great adventure for us. “We have to lift ourselves again – we have a semi-final on Thursday night and another semi-final the week after so we have to be up for those. “We still have plenty left to play for so it will be a matter of getting our heads up again,” added Duddy. The manager can be proud of his players who put so much in to reaching the biggest stage in the club’s history. Harryville Homers: Martin, Forsythe, Wylie, Russell, Gibson, Baird, Campbell (sub Craig 90+1), Bonnes, Rainey, J McKay (sub Stevenson 73), M McKay (sub Mitchell 75). Subs (not used): O’Neill, Falloon.