CHAMPIONSHIP TWO: Derby delight for Gaston

The visitors walked away from Mullaghacall with a 3-2 victory and three points.

Ballymoney took the lead on 11 minutes when Andy White found his own net after pressure from Steven Lyons.

Ballymoney dominated the first half.

Lyons kept the pressure on the Portstewart defence, but it was Christie who doubled the lead for Ballymoney on 42 minutes.

Portstewart re-emerged for the second half and scored an early goal through McMullan.

They had a good spell after this, and created a few chances. But it was too little too late as Christie grabbed his second, and Ballymoney’s third of the tie.

In the dying minutes of the game, Peden grabbed a consolation goal for Gary Taylor’s side to leave the final score 3-2.

Portstewart boss Gary Taylor described his side’s performance as “shocking.”

“We never made a tackle or a pass in the first half. We were really poor.

“We had changed things around a bit in a bid to strengthen the defence, but it didn’t work.

“The goals we gave away were poor, and to be honest we were very lucky to be going in only two down at the break.

“We looked a bit more threatening in the second half, but I have to be honest and say that Ballymoney deserved the victory.”

Gary’s opposite number, Paul Gaston was pleased with the display of his side.

“We played well.

“Christie only passed a fitness test before the game and to be honest we took a gamble with him and it paid off.

“Steven Lyons was superb for us. He was a constant threat to Portstewart, I had to take him off, he just couldn’t give any more.”

Both Ballymoney and Portstewart are in Cup action this Saturday.

Ballymoney travel to Dundela in the Steele and Sons Cup, while Portstewart entertain Newbuildings in the Craig Memorial NW Cup.